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Durcan at Durham bookfest
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Monday, October 20, 2008 |
I was very nervous about meeting Paul Durcan. His book The Berlin Wall Cafe is one of those companion volumes of poetry, an essential part of your life that you have to have somewhere near you at all times. He's such a great poet - sharp, funny, idiosyncratic not afraid to walk an emotional knife edge. He takes you into his world, draws you along effortlessly up side roads and country paths, digressions and sudden precipices. You would follow him anywhere. The reading in the Gala Studio on Friday evening was utterly spell-binding. And he is the most charming man in the world (though I was still scared to ask him about Van Morrison and why they let the goldfish go). His latest book is The Laughter of Mothers and it's brilliant. (this photo is by Simon James) |
| 4:14 AM
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plastic orchids
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Friday, October 10, 2008 |
National Poetry Day and I'm in a hotel in Telford - finding inspiration in the ladies - wondering why plastic orchids are now the flower of choice in such amenities - and why something as exotic as an orchid is needed to distract us from the more basic workings of our bodies (especially for us ladeez) I like the privacy of privvies - one of the few remaining public spaces where you can be alone and not hear people on their mobiles (though I have heard ladeez talking on their phones whilst using said amenities - shocking shocking). There are some beautiful ladies rooms. The one at the Lit and Phil library in Newcastle springs (or perhaps seeps?) to mind. |
| 6:52 AM
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