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Tag: poetry
Older Scots: poetry is good for you!
Older Scots urged to ‘embrace the health benefits of poetry’ as new collection on ageing launched
Older Scots are being encouraged to embrace the health benefits of reading and writing poetry as an exclusive new collection of poetry on the theme of ageing is launched this month.
Released by independent charity the Saltire Society in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library, Second Wind is a collection of almost 50 finely-crafted poems from award-winning Scottish writers Douglas Dunn, Vicki Feaver and Diana Hendry.
Wise, funny, cutting and honest, the poems collected in Second Wind seek to challenge false preconceptions about ageing and tackle a wide range of age-related themes including childhood memories, illness, retirement, absent friends and grandchildren.
Two special readings of the new collection by its authors will take place as part of Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing festival. Now in its fourth year, the Festival has a busy schedule of events running across Scotland throughout October. The first reading event for Second Wind (already sold out) takes place at the Saltire Society’s headquarters in Edinburgh on 15 October at 6.30pm and the second will be held at 6pm on 26 October at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
The Second Wind collection is launched as the most recent survey results from the Scottish Government show that the percentage of Scots aged 60-74 who read regularly for pleasure rose from 65% in 2009 to 73% in 2013, a higher percentage than any other age group.
Recent research from the Mental Health Foundation suggests that participation in cultural activities results in increased confidence and self-esteem among participants, and may help to improve long term cognitive functioning, communication, memory and creative thinking.
For those who would like to explore the Second Wind poems in more depth, the Scottish Poetry Library will also host two specially facilitated poetry reading groups in Edinburgh on Saturday 7 November at 11 am and 2pm. These events will be led by poet, tutor and former Scottish Book Trust Reader in Residence Kate Hendry, who is also the daughter of Second Wind contributor Diana Hendry.
Saltire Society Executive Director Jim Tough said: “There is a growing body of evidence to show that creativity in later life has real health benefits. What is more, this new collection of poems demonstrates just how much older writers have to offer. Hopefully, it will inspire many more from the older generation to get involved both in reading and writing poetry.”
Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Poetry Library, Director Robyn Marsack added: “The later work of artists – think of Beethoven, Matisse, Yeats – often shows their willingness to change direction, their maturity as artists combined with new insights. We’re delighted to have been able to provide the impetus for three poets whose undiminished poetic energy will strike a chord with many readers.”
A poem for National Poetry Day
A poem to celebrate National Poetry Day
LUCOZADE
by JACKIE KAY
My mum is on a high bed next to sad chrysanthemums. ‘Don’t bring flowers, they only wilt and die.’ I am scared my mum is going to die on the bed next to the sad chrysanthemums. She nods off and her eyes go back in her head. Next to her bed is a bottle of Lucozade. ‘Orange nostalgia, that’s what that is,’ she says. ‘Don’t bring Lucozade either,’ then fades. ‘The whole day was a blur, a swarm of eyes. Those doctors with their white lies. Did you think you could cheer me up with a Woman’s Own? Don’t bring magazines, too much about size.’ My mum wakes up, groggy and low. ‘What I want to know,’ she says,’ is this: where’s the big brandy,the generous gin, the Bloody Mary,the biscuit tin, the chocolate gingers, the dirty big meringue?’ I am sixteen; I’ve never tasted a Bloody Mary. ‘Tell your father to bring a luxury,’ says she. ‘Grapes have no imagination, they’re just green. Tell him: stop the neighbours coming.’ I clear her cupboard in Ward 10B, Stobhill Hospital. I leave, bags full, Lucozade, grapes, oranges, sad chrysanthemums under my arms, weighted down. I turn round, wave with her flowers. My mother, on her high hospital bed, waves back. Her face is light and radiant, dandelion hours. Her sheets billow and whirl. She is beautiful. Next to her the empty table is divine. I carry the orange nostalgia home singing an old song.
A poem for Father’s Day
THE GIFT by Li-Young Lee
To pull the metal splinter from my palm
my father recited a story in a low voice.
I watched his lovely face and not the blade.
Before the story ended, he’d removed
the iron sliver I thought I’d die from.
I can’t remember the tale,
but hear his voice still, a well
of dark water, a prayer.
And I recall his hands,
two measures of tenderness
he laid against my face,
the flames of discipline
he raised above my head.
Had you entered that afternoon
you would have thought you saw a man
planting something in a boy’s palm,
a silver tear, a tiny flame.
Had you followed that boy
you would have arrived here,
where I bend over my wife’s right hand.
Look how I shave her thumbnail down
so carefully she feels no pain.
Watch as I lift the splinter out.
I was seven when my father
took my hand like this,
and I did not hold that shard
between my fingers and think,
Metal that will bury me,
christen it Little Assassin,
Ore Going Deep for My Heart.
And I did not lift up my wound and cry,
Death visited here!
I did what a child does
when he’s given something to keep.
I kissed my father.
City schoolkids tweet their streets
“My street is unique, old – an antique!”
School pupils from all corners of the Capital have created a mini-map of Edinburgh with a series of tweets about the city’s streets.
The ‘Tweet Your Street’ project, being announced tomorow (Monday 1 June) at the Central Library, sees the launch of an online map where children have started ‘pinning’ poetic tweets about where they live. A selection of tweets will also be on public display within the children’s area of the library.
The map is a result of a series of poetry workshops with P3-S1 pupils from across the Capital and the Edinburgh Makar Christine De Luca.
From the apple trees in Hope Terrace and the cobbles of St Vincent Street, to the cats that stroll along Easter Drylaw Place and the excitement of hearing the jingle of an ice cream van, the map of tweets reveals the essence of living in Edinburgh as a child.
“Walking past running cats
Lovely gardens outside flats
Everyone is full of grace
On Easter Drylaw Place”
(Age 12, Forthview Primary School)
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “These snippets of poetry provide a sweet and honest view of Edinburgh’s communities in the eyes of its youngest residents. In Edinburgh we have a long and proud interest in literature and poetry and it is great to see our pupils’ own writing talent thanks to this project.
“The memories of the street you grow up on stay with you. ‘Tweet Your Street’ captures these memories in a way that will hopefully spark other pupils and residents to view their own communities in a new light and maybe even tweet about it. The Edinburgh Makar Christine De Luca and these pupils have produced a brand new way of mapping Edinburgh and getting students interested in poetry.”
Christine De Luca became the Scottish Capital’s poet in residence, the Edinburgh Makar, and promotes Scottish writing and the Capital’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature locally and around the world. She was appointed as the city’s version of ‘Poet Laureate’ in 2014, and initiated ‘Tweet Your Street’.
Edinburgh Makar Christine De Luca said: “This has been a fun project to do. I’ve really enjoyed working with a group of committed, enthusiastic teachers. Writing a very short poem which captures something about your street isn’t easy, but reading the children’s poems proves it’s possible. Do read them and pass on the link to family and friends. The Central Library has been a great partner.”
All tweets will be available to view online at the Edinburgh Makar website from 11:30am tomorrow. Here’s a flavour of what to expect:
“In Craigour Loan
The people mingle
To the ice cream van’s jingle
They chat, giggle and play
Every sunny day”
(Age 8 Craigour Park Primary)
“My street is unique
Old – an antique –
It’s Newhouses Road
If you drive in
You have to drive back
You see
It’s a
Cul-de-sac”
(Age 9, St. George’s School for Girls)
Dear Stockbridge Library, how would you like an artwork to celebrate Book Week?
Stockbridge Library has been selected as one of five Scottish libraries to benefit from a new permanent artwork as part of Book Week Scotland 2014.
The purpose of the installation, which will be unveiled on the first day of Book Week Scotland on 24 November, is to make libraries more visible in their own communities and to raise awareness of them as important assets for local people to enjoy.
The artwork will be created by Glasgow-based artist Rachel Barron and will be inspired by Dear Library, a poem written by best-selling Scottish author and playwright Jackie Kay as part of Book Week Scotland’s Love Your Library! campaign. Dear Library highlights the important role that libraries can play at every stage of an individual’s life, from childhood to old age.
Rachel has been given one verse of the poem to inspire her, which is written from the perspective of an expectant mother, and it is hoped that the resulting artwork will encourage the local Stockbridge community to visit their library to begin or continue their reading journey.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Convener for Culture and Sport, said: “I am delighted that Stockbridge Library has been selected for this project in support of Book Week Scotland 2014. Naturally, Edinburgh’s public libraries champion reading all year long with a host of activities to help people develop a love of books – but we are also proud to welcome a number of cultural and community events through the doors of Edinburgh’s libraries. We hope this event will entice people to visit their local library in Stockbridge to view Rachel’s art, and let people realise how much more there is to their local library.”
Sophie Moxon, Deputy CEO of Scottish Book Trust, the organisation delivering Book Week Scotland, added: “Following the success of our Reading Murals project in 2013, we are delighted to be unveiling five original artworks by young artists in libraries across the country for Book Week Scotland 2014. Jackie Kay’s ‘Dear Library’ beautifully illustrates the knowledge, inspiration and comfort that libraries can provide for people of all ages and we hope the artworks will too.”
Commenting on the commission, artist Rachel Barron said: “I am delighted to be part of the Artwork for Libraries project, as this is my first opportunity to create a permanent artwork within a public space. I am really looking forward to meeting and engaging with the local community in a series of creative workshops inspired by my current practice and vision for the permanent artwork.”
Rachel lives and works in Glasgow and Gothenburg, Sweden. She graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) from Edinburgh College of Art’s Painting Department in 2011, and since then she has exhibited across Scotland. Her work encompasses print, sculpture and installation through exhibitions and participatory projects that engage directly with the public. Recent projects have transformed gallery spaces into live print workshops, which invite the public to participate by contributing their own artwork to the exhibition display. She aims to encourage artistic expression within people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities; providing the opportunity and environment to uncover the creative potential in everyone.
The other four artworks to be unveiled will be in Musselburgh, Saltcoats, Lennoxtown and Shetland.
And the poem …
Dear Library
1.
See when ah wiz wee
ma faverit day wis
Wednisday, library day,
when Ma an me wid go tae ma library
an I wid get to pik ma book
an get it stampd oot
efter the ither yin had been stampd in
and I hid ma very ain card
which wiz a wee magic envlope
that took me tae anither world
awthegither fu o’ caracters an creatures, auntie lopes,
big broon bears, loins and tigrs, new wurds
an anythin an aw’thin I wants tae ken aboot
the moon, stars, sea, the hale galaxy, the wide wurld
wiz at the tip o my fingers in ma locall library.
2.
Always a new book to wolf down in the dead of night,
a borrowed book to read by torchlight…
In the morning, last night’s saved page turns
to who last had this book out
and the date returned, 9 June, this year.
This same book in a stranger’s hands, half-known.
Those readers, kindred spirits, almost friends.
You are in transition; you are on the threshold.
The library is the place that gets you. Pure gold.
You are Holden, you’re Lyra, you’re White Fang,
you’re Kidnapped, you’re Skellig, you’re Refugee Boy.
You’re Callum, a nought, you’re Catch 22.
You’re Chris Guthrie. You’re Hyde. You’re Boo Radley.
It’s not Accidental. You are those books. Those books are You.
Inside your mind you’re strong. Safe.
Toss a coin: heads, reader; tails, writer.
The library is the young writer’s first home.
You read pertinent sayings, make your own.
The cool teenager is a member of the library.
3.
I go to my library to find out about the baby
growing like a story inside me: 37 weeks!
My baby is likely to be sucking his thumb, her thumb.
My tight tummy is a drum, a drum.
The child who I will one day – hopefully –
bring back to this library, ah wee one, is turning.
I’ll get her a first library card, bless,
and sit where I’m sat now, reading, to test
the books I’ll soon read to him, fingers crossed.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon
37 weeks: my tummy – boom, boom, beating time!
Come soon wee baby; wee baby come soon.
Come dream in your basket under the shy moon,
My hungry caterpillar, my goodnight gorilla.
My dear wee daughter, my good little fella.
4.
A book borrowed, kindly given.
A book swapped, loved, exchanged.
A book you will always hand back.
A book is a coat for your mind.
You’ve reached the age, 50 something, when you look back
on borrowed books as if they were old friends –
with nostalgia, with affection, intimately known.
The time when you read The Raj Quartet, or Han Suyin
Toni Morrison or Memo for Spring,
Things Fall Apart or Fire on the Mountain.
Poor Madame Bovary. Poor Anna Karenina.
Your life: many characters, bleak houses, long day’s journeys.
Your life of mixed fates, give and takes;
What you borrowed last month, you return today.
5.
Dear Library, you want to say, Dear Library, you have served me
well all my life. You are magnificence, munificence.
You are a book festival every day. There is no way, me an OAP,
could ever value what you’ve given me by money.
There is no measure for the enriching of the mind, friend.
Faithful and trusty, Dear Library, you are a heart stopper, a kind giver.
I treasure your lively silence; your very pleasant librarians.
They represent what a public service is truly, libertarian.
Impossible, did I say that already, to put a price on that. Again,
stop me if I am repeating myself, your staff will tell
me of a Saramago Street in a nearby town.
Browse, borrow, request, renew – lovely words to me.
A library card in your hand is your democracy.
If you were to shut, Dear Library, it would break my heart.
A library user all my life, I’d be lost without my library.
A closed library could only welcome a closed mind.
Is there a kinder place that you can find than your local library?
I want to say, and I do. I pick up my pen and write to you.
Stolen Lives: Forthview pupils produce WW1 poetry anthology
A series of emotional First World War poems written by Forthview primary school children have been transformed into a new book.
Forthview Primary School P and P7 pupils saw the National Theatre’s superb production of War Horse at the Festival Theatre earlier this year, and they were so inspired by the show they decided to write a series of poems based on the experiences of Scottish people during the war.
These have now been turned into an anthology, Stolen Lives, which was recited for the first time at a special launch event at the Festival Theatre yesterday (Tuesday 30 September).
The poems were read out by actors from the critically-acclaimed First World War play Regeneration, which is currently on a week long run at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh.
The pupils watched War Horse as part of the START project run in conjunction with the Festival Theatre which aims to make cultural venues more accessible to young people. They were then helped in turning their poems into a book by author Mary Turner Thomson – and it was during one of her workshops that P7 pupil Demmi-Leigh Brammer came up with the title Stolen Lives.
Demmi said: “We wrote our poems after seeing War Horse and hearing some World War 1 poems. I thought of the title, ‘Stolen Lives’ because the soldiers were killed by complete strangers as if their lives were being stolen from them.
“I am really excited about the launch. I think it’s going to be really fun but, at the same time, I am quite nervous about singing in front of lots of people.”
Forthview Primary School Head Teacher Eileen Littlewood said: “The pupils were inspired to write these wonderful poems after seeing War Horse as they were captivated by the story of Joey and the historical events of the First World War. The pupils really are very talented writers and thanks to their excellent teachers they’ve succeeded in writing very beautiful, atmospheric poems.”
Mary Turner Thomson said: “I was very impressed with the pupils’ poetic endeavours and felt they had put a lot of effort and emotion into their contributions. This whole project has been an amazing experience and a reminder of the horrors the people who fought in the war went through.
“It’s good that a whole new generation of our children are inspired to think about their sacrifice 100 years since it began. These young poets, seeing their work in print within their very own book of poetry, will now remember and pass this on to the next generation as well.”
Cerin Richardson, Learning & Participation Manager at the Festival and King’s Theatres, said: “Watching the inspirational War Horse led the pupils to taking part in some artist-led music, dance, puppetry and poetry workshops in school, as part of the START project funded by the Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts.
“The children produced some extraordinary work and this encouraged them to write the poems included here in their book, Stolen Lives. The Festival Theatre is delighted to have been part of the process which has led to this wonderfully imaginative and beautifully written book of poems.”
Today’s launch also coincides with Historic Scotland, who run Edinburgh Castle, launching their new school project ‘Learning about Scotland’s First World War’.
Craig Fletcher, Senior Learning Manager at Historic Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working with Forthview Primary School and other partners on this new project which allows young people to explore their local heritage, whilst learning more about the war and its impact on Scottish people.
“Historic Scotland will work in partnership with local schools during the commemorative period for the First World War. Pupils will visit historic properties to explore buildings, museums and objects as they investigate and discover the impact of the War in Scotland and discover real people’s stories. They will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops enabling them to reflect on their learning experiences.”
Special thanks also go to officers from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Integrated Literacy Strategy team and students/tutor from the Illustration Department of Edinburgh College of Art who worked with the pupils to illustrate their poems.
Friday is North Edinburgh’s Big Night Out
Join North Edinburgh community activists – and special guest Scotland’s national poet Liz Lochhead – for a night of poetry, protest, music and laughter at North Edinburgh Arts this Friday …
Liz Lochhead to be part of North Edinburgh’s Big Night Out
Scotland’s national poet Liz Lochhead will be among the participants at a major community event to be held in North Edinburgh later this month. ‘The Big Night Out’, an evening of songs, fun, poetry and protest, is being organised by the local Power to the People group.
The programme is yet to be finalised, but the event will also feature a photography and artwork exhibition.
CLD worker Lynn McCabe, who supports the group, explained: “There’s going to be a couple of exhibitions on the history of protest (one is a photographic exhibition, the other is being put together by arts students from Edinburgh (Telford) College. The main part of the night will be in the theatre and will include protest poems and protest poetry. We have just had word that Liz Lochhead will be doing a turn which is great, and it’s likely that some pupils from Craigroyston High School will also be participating in the event – I’m meeting with their teacher to discuss this further. There’s still a lot to organise and confirm but the Power to the People group are very excited about The Big Night Out.”
Power to the People’s Big Night Out will be held in
North Edinburgh Arts on Friday 29 November from 6.30 – 9.30pm.
Tickets £3. All welcome.
Poem: Poverty and Protest
Poverty and protest go hand and hand
Fighting for a better land
Working class people taking a stand
Against the injustices
Since time began
Porteous Riots at Edinburgh’s gates
This unjust man knew his fate
When he shot these people down
The riots started throughout the town
Look through history you will find
Protests were on people’s minds
The right to have their voices heard
Was what these people so deserved
Throughout the ages we can see
The right to speak was not to be
So the protest did begin to start
To demonstrate came from the heart
Of people who were tired and weary
Of poverty oppression and desperation
So they gathered to mount a demonstration
This was done in many ways through songs and plays
People gathered information through thinkers of their generations
Playwriters Poets Artists Trade Unionists Socialist all
Gathered together to hear the call
Of people who were so unhappy starving homeless
Made them fight which leaders called unrest
Polictians make promises for votes
Once elected they are all forgot
Activists present charters with good intentions
City fathers leading them on
Promises broken What has gone wrong ?
Trade Unions now have no say
Thatcher took all their rights away
She crushed communities even took our childrens milk
Riots on street this women caused
With her unjust brutal laws
Poll tax she tried to impose the Scottish nation angerley rose
To fight the cuts we brought her down
No longer for her to rule with an iron hand
She killed our nation throughout the land
Future governments once elected
Did not repeal the Acts she created
Broken promises once again
When will this torture end ?
Now there will be a referendum for independance
Political parties running scared incase Scotland vote YES
They tell us we are “BETTER TOGETHER ” people know what is best
Scottish people will decide no more Broken promises Unjust cuts
Welfare reforms Prices rising .
No jobs to see beyond the horizon
For our youths there is no future
People shivering in the winter
For many it is heat or eat
Poverty rising at an alarming rate
Homeless people have no hope
This present government is a joke
“BETTER TOGETHER ” ? Better for who ?
Polititians not me or you
Now they are trying to gather the masses
For what ? I believe to save their own asses
Scotland should show the way
Vote differently have your say
Remember all the broken promises
Remember all this on referendum day.
Anna Hutchison (by email)