Sideshow Stories: a Review

In this modern era of 24 hour, face-pressed-up-against-a-screen living, it is as inevitable as it is hypocritical that we often find ourselves yearning for integrity, wholesomeness, and "down-to-earth" values. And as the approach of popular media becomes ever more patronizing and simple-minded, those precious nuggets of originality and intelligence seem harder to sift out.
It is therefore with great admiration and appreciation that I write this review of Sideshow Stories, a new exhibition at The Social on Little Portland Street.

Combining the art of painter Jason Butler, and the words of poet Will Burns, Sideshow Stories is an appraisal of a time largely before modern "political correctness", when Britain's show-business industry was capitalising on a popular curiosity for the alien and the exotic, the freaks and weirdos of society. As odd and unique as the characters it details, this exhibition is a sight for bored eyes.

R F Langley: Beyond the Indigo Gate

The Blue Gate by David Johnson

R F Langley, an English poet, passed away in January this year. During his life he had two collections of poems published. The first, Collected Poems, was nominated for the Whitbread Prize for poetry in 2000. The second, The Face of It, has been described as "one of the classics of early 21st century English poetry". Never heard of him? I hadn't either until last week, when I was asked to write a review of an audio CD of his readings for the Poetry Book Society. In doing so I discovered some of the most exciting, complex and profoundly beautiful poetry I have read. Because none of his work is available to read online, I have transcribed one of my favourite poems, Achilles, for you to have a look at, which I highly recommend you do. You can find the poem, along with the full review of his work below.

Narrow Escape, Pt. I

Narrow Escape, Pt. I

The first flashes.

Eucalyptus.

In the high branches

silver splashes of moonlight

set the leaves to shimmer.

A wind arrives through the Para grass,

and crashes in the canopy

like the roar of Pacific breakers,

and washes over her

the smell of Saltcedar 

and Rabbitbrush and Greasewood

that grow in the playa.

Through the blue moonshadow of the house

a fox slips without sound.

The wind squalls up again,

ruffling through the Chokecherry

beyond the high arch of the barn.

Her horse treads nervously,

eyes wide as 8 balls.

She kisses his neck

and whispers to him.

She waits. 

In a distant field, a cow lows,

and across the dry dirt road 

paper curls of bark roll,

Shift sideways. 

Toon Tellegen: Raptors

This weekend I had to write a brief review of a collection of poems by the Dutch poet Toon Tellegen, owner, surely, of the best name in the world? The collection is called Raafvogels, or Raptors in English. What more do I need to say? If you're thinking, (as I did) that's good enough on its own, and let's not spoil it now! then you're in for a treat. His poetry is even BETTER! Now I don't know if I'm allowed to post any of his work directly up here- don't want to upset a fellow poet, especially not with such a profoundly awesome name as Toon, but I can post my review. And if you think it sounds up your street, the book is available on Amazon, or if you can wait, will also be on the Poetry Book Society online store. To read the article, click below.