Poem of the month
Richard Goodson
Daniel Craig: The Screensaver
…and when I fail to focus, when I tire,
he rises like a Christ newly baptised
in sky blue trunks, reminding me desire
will always lie in wait and be disguised
as men with healing hands and cute-cruel lips
and arms I’d die for should they ever press
too hard against my throat.
When water drips
from him the fish swim to his feet, confess
how happily waylaid they are, congeal
in spasmic foil and, even then, mouth how
the breeding pools upstream are no big deal.
Before my eyes bake white like theirs I vow
I’ll hit a key. Before I go berserk
I’ll kill him with one finger. Wake up. Work.
© Richard Goodson
Richard’s poem won the 2008
Competition, open exclusively to
members of the Poetry Society
who are also members of a Poetry
Society Stanza. The theme of this
year’s competition was ‘Sloth’ (the
antithesis of the National Poetry
Day theme of ‘Work’).
Poetry Society events
More events...Poetry Cafe events...
Poetry Society offers
Gift subscriptions for Poetry Review: 5% off the cover price and FREE National Book Token (worth £5) with every order.
Poetry Society Media Room
Poetry Society podcasts
On 23 October, Fiona Sampson will be joined by Blake Morrison and John Walsh at the Bishopsgate Institute for Poetry Review speaks out: "Where now for Political Culture?", an event considering the political currents in contemporary poetry. Listen to Fiona give a general introduction to the event.
In the final instalment of our Under The Influence series, Yang Lian will talk about how Ezra Pound's poetry gripped a whole generation of Chinese poets. Listen to him in conversation about Pound's effect on his poetry.
Poetry Unplugged is London's premier open mic night. We asked the host of the event, Niall O'Sullivan to interview the performers and the original host, John Citizen. You can listen to the readings and interviews here.
"If I could touch one percent of the hearts that the Liverpool poets have touched, then I'd be doing alright" , says Lemn Sissay. Hear him talk about the influence that Adrian Henri, Roger McGough and Brian Patten have had on his life as a writer.
On 22 May, as part of the 'Under the Influence' series 2008, Robert Minhinnick looked at the influence that Derek Walcott's Sea Grapes had on him as a young writer. Hear Minhinnick in conversation, prior to the event.
Listen to Sinéad Morrissey read her winning poem 'Through the Square Window', as well as other highlights of the National Poetry Competition 2007 prizegiving, which took place on 27 March 2008, at the October Gallery.
Poetry in the news
17
Nov
Off By Heart poetry competition launched by BBC.
12
Nov
BBC reports that the launch event of Patrick Jones’ latest book, Darkness is Where the Stars Are was cancelled by Waterstones following a campaign by Christian activists.
.
6
Nov
Poetry Society Member Caroline Carver won this year's Poetry on the Lake Silver Wyvern award.
5 Nov
Poetry Society Member, and Plymouth Stanza Rep, Godfrey Ackers, won this year's Poetry London Competition. Poetry Society Member, Patricia Hann, won third prize.
31 Oct
The Arvon International Poetry Competition's Classic FM First Prize went to Peter Daniels; Second Prize to Giles Goodland; and Third Prize to Thomas Lynch.
30 Oct
T S Eliot Prize shortlist announced: Moniza Alvi; Peter Bennet; Ciaran Carson; Robert Crawford; Maura Dooley; Mark Doty; Jen Hadfield; Mick Imlah; Glyn Maxwell; Stephen Romer. Detail on PBS website.
17 Oct
Mandy Coe and Lesley Saunders share first prize of £10,000 for this year's Manchester Poetry Prize. Helen Mort, 23, won the £2,000 Manchester Young Poet Prize.
9 Oct
The Winners of the Foyle Young Poets Award 2008 have been announced - you can read the winning poems here.
9 Oct
Stop Look and Listen to the Voice of Young Britain: SLAMbassadors UK, the UK’s only professional development ONLINE slam, launches today.
8 Oct
Mick Imlah's The Lost Leader (Faber) won the Forward Prize for Poetry 2008 (£10,000).
Kathryn Simmonds won in the best first collection category for Sunday at the Skin Launderette, and Don Paterson's 'Love Poem for Natalie 'Tusja' Beridzeve', first published in Poetry Review, won the best single poem prize.
Disclaimer | Credits