Oi you! Yeah you! Av a Word with yourself… ask how you are really doing, what’s on your mind. Write it down, perhaps in poetic prose. Then get down to the CLF Art Lounge and say it out loud to a welcoming crowd!
Keep calm, write it down
Watch thoughts assemble on a page
Gently scream them out
Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover; centre - @richblisswords, host
Rich, hello! Why did you start the poetry night?
Rich Bliss: I started running Av a Word after realising the power of poetry and spoken word as a vehicle for processing trauma and recovery.
Also just to be able to gather a bunch of likeminded people together and have a great time whilst celebrating each other's creativity and unique offerings.
Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover; @maxterryfishel, headliner
How would you describe the vibe of your nights?
Av a Word is loud , proud, inclusive and fun, whilst also being able to hold space for gentler and more profound moments. The key focus for us is applauding and recognising how brave it is to take up the mic
Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover; @getfxckedcxntt
What do you love most about the poetry scene?
Expression, confession and revelry!
The power of words to unite us all!
Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover, @not_that_richard_allen, @cameoclo
Nice one Rich, please share one poem that sums up you and what you’re doing:
Your poem
Your poem won't bring back the dead
It wont stop wars from raining death
Cant stop a blasphemous undertaking
It's not a raking of autumnal leaves
Piled high with colours dancing inside
You poem can’t sound the surrender
It's not a cancer mender or a render of absolute justice
But it is a pretender of brilliance and splendour in the addressing
of the things that lurk beneath far from harm
It drags them kicking and screaming and raises the alarm
In that shrill ringing of angels singing
It says please remain calm
-Rich Bliss
Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover, @leejjcampbell, @rendellteresa, @missiemyohmy, @hannahwallwork87
Big shout out and thank you to all the poets not featured here from the night, please take it as a compliment that I was too into your poetry to get a decent shot! If I missed tagging you, let me know.
And p.s. Can you spot when I ran out of film and had to shoot a few on my phone? The horror! Answers on a postcard. ;-)
Mic Nightlife is a photography, poetry and storytelling series celebrating the places people share words. Please invite us to your night!
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