Poets & Players Competition 2015 – highly commended and winners with judge Paul Muldoon

Professor Paul Muldoon is a fine poet and fellow Ulsterman, so I couldn’t resist including ‘Ulster Grill’ in my selection for this year’s Poets & Players competition, which he was judging. I thought it might at least give him a wry smile but certainly didn’t expect it to be a winner, being short and fairly sparse. I can only say I am delighted to receive third prize and feature on Poets & Player’s website. http://poetsandplayers.co/competition/poets-and-players-competition-2015/

Ulster Grill

Three breads, two puddings, sausage
stuffed with grain, an egg on top

and a careful rasher of bacon
laid with grace. A tray of tea follows,
breaking the silence with its little bell

and always you are asked: Is it enough?
Would you like some more?

Along the coast
from this butter-scented room
in a small town with seven castles,

through three loughs, a city
and a pinball of glens and arches

you’ll be asked the same questions: Is it enough?
Would you like some more? 

Soda and potato, wheaten and oats,
blood and guts, sunny side up.

Comments from judge Paul Muldoon
3rd Prize: ‘Ulster Grill’ by Janine Pinion

witty take on the “sunny” attitude of a beleaguered nation set against their diet of “blood and guts.”

And here’s the video:

All welcome to this ticketed event in which I’m reading with other North West Poets – a celebration of the region including work from the Sculpted anthology.

Featuring: Martin Figura, Robert Sheppard, Janine Pinion, Dave Ward, Alison Chisholm, Matt Fallaize, Pauline Rowe, Steve Waling and others, introduced by editors Lindsey Holland and Angela Topping.

“Sculpted is a definitive, ground-breaking anthology of poems by 62 of the North West’s best contemporary poets. As diverse as the area that inspired them, the poems dig beneath the skin of the region: its towns and cities, countryside, industries, history, geology, and above all, its people.”

Tickets £3/£2 – box office 0151 702 5324

The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX

I’m really pleased to be invited back to read at the Blue Cap in Sandiway, near Northwich, Cheshire.  Every few months, an event is put together by members of Vale Royal Writers and Liverpool’s Dead Good Poets Society.  I’m definitely not dead, not sure I’m good, but looking forward to a right royal night out, and here’s the info:

“The Summer Wordfest will take place at The Blue Cap, Sandiway, Northwich CW8 2DN on Tuesday, 26th June 8.00pm – 11.00pm

We are very fortunate to have as Guest Poets – David Bateman, Jo Bell, Janine Pinion & Brian Wake and there will be Fiction from Calum Kerr.

Short open mic slots are bookable on the night with our compere Sarah Maclennan.

Book Table and Charity Raffle in aid of GOES

We would be delighted if you are able to join us.”

Thank you to Poets & Players for a great afternoon on Saturday, and to all who came along to support. Here I am watching Jinny Shaw and friends play one of Jinny’s compositions written as ‘footnotes’ to my poems. Photo by Barry Hobson. Click on the photo to reach P&P website.

Marius Kociejowski, Janine Pinion and Jeremy Over, with music by Jinny Shaw and Friends – at Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Rd, Manchester. Click on Poets & Players for details.  Jinny has composed music to go with a number of my poems, which I’m really excited about!  After I read each poem, she will follow with a 1-2min instrumental. All welcome.

poetrymagazines.org.uk – Penmaenmawr  – published in Artemis – now online at the Poetry Library

Penmaenmawr

(after ‘Adelstrop’ by Edward Thomas)

Facebook | National Poetry Day WIRRAL event

Thursday 7th October 7-8.30pm Bebington Central Library

Readings and book signings from Gill McEvoy, Jane Aspinall, Carole Baldock, Clare Kirwan & Janine Pinion

Admission £3 Wine & Refreshments included

Gill McEvoy co-runs Poemcatchers, Zest and Poem Shed, organising poetry events and writing activities around Chester.  A regular prizewinner in poetry competitions, she has published two pamphlets and recently a full collection ‘The Plucking Shed’  (Cinnamon Press 2010).

Jane Aspinall works as a university senior lecturer in law and management.  She was a first stage winner in the 2009/10 Poetry Business Competition.  Her poem ‘Tambourine’ won second prize at the prestigious Academi Cardiff International Poetry Competition.  Jane’s pamphlet  ‘American Shadow’ will be published by Smith Doorstop this summer.

Carole Baldock is editor of Orbis international literary journal and Kudos (formerly Competitions Bulletin).  Her publications include Writing Reviews; How To Raise Confident Children; poetry chapbook BITCHING, plus a full poetry collection, ‘Give Me Where to Stand’ (Headland).

Clare Kirwan is a performance poet, occasional comedian and writer.  Her poems have featured in a number of publications and her fiction has won Dark Tales Competition and been published in various anthologies. Her comedy material has been used on BBC radio’s Parsons and Naylor and she performed her stand-up comedy debut in 2007 at Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre.

Janine Pinion is a poet and artist and runs Words Over The Water poetry reading group.  She produces artwork for exhibitions, commissions or book covers etc. and her poetry has been published in magazines and anthologies and broadcast on film and radio.  Her first pamphlet was published in 2003.  She works in education and mental health.

Sunday 20 June

Poetry Garden Party 2-6pm

Poets & Players are hosting a fantastic day of poetry, music, delicious food, strawberries, wine, home-made lemonade, a poetry book stall and auction of poetry skills.  They cordially invite you to come along and enjoy yourselves at their fund-raising event  of the year.

Poets who will read during the afternoon are:  Carol Ann Duffy, Clare Shaw, Jon Glover, Graham Mort, Carola Luther, Evan Jones, Chris Woods, Janine Pinion and Julia Deakin. 

where: in the garden of 163 Palatine Road, M20 2GH

cost:  £2.50 entrance

the weather: perfect

http://www.poetsandplayers.co.uk/

PS I’LL ALSO BE SETTING UP MY POEM-CARD MAKING STALL – PICK A POEM, MAKE A CARD.  ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED – DONATIONS WELCOME TO COVER COSTS, SURPLUS GIFTED TO POETS & PLAYERS