Write Angle brings poets galore

Anna-May Laugher and Susan Utting

May's Write Angle's welcomed guest poets' Anna-May Laugher and Susan Utting, plus many Open Mikers, to a full house. With music provided by performance poet/comic audi maserati, on the uke, Jilly Funnell on guitar, and Jack Warshaw waiting in the wings, sadly no time to go on despite numerous requests from the audience – there were just too many performers.

Anna-May and Susan had a well planned out programme starting with poems about birds, creatures (dead and alive) - many inspired by paintings, - such as Patience and Pelican and Becoming a Snake - 'I invite the World in, swallow it whole'. Anna-May did The Herpatologist's Wife - envious of his love for his pets, she becomes one, 'Poised, Ready to Strike' (many poems had a 'bite' at the end)

Then, Anna-May's Eye of the Eagle prefacing with 'it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven'. Susan's The Taxidermist tells of a zebra, using 'a stuffed dead creature' as a metaphor for writing a poem. 'The animal may be stuffed but somewhere inside, a heart is ticking'. Lovely imagery! Hilda Sheehan's blow-up female sculpture has Anna-May's poem on its bottom. 'I offer you a negligée of words and such'. Susan then painted in words, a description of a sculpted dress hinged in bits of linked copper, and described the sensations as it 'touched each part of her skin. She also did Girl at the Window (painted by Oscar Kokochka) leaving 'the bird in its cage' – both visual and sensual..

Anna-May's Gemini about twins 'we are the same and severed', followed by God's Bedroom Window - 'in a bedsit - when she's angry at him'. They then alternated poems about love. Susan's Love Rocks the Season, Anna-May's City Lover - London licks the lips of ingénues just in...'.

Susan's 'young woman wooed by a Spanish man - bit by bit, she becomes Spanish – dressing, eating etc. very evocative – and frightening! Anna-May then did Mead about honey/honeymoons, went with Susan's Wedding Dress - 'I will teach you how...till the flame glares with double golden rings'. Anna May's Light – don't pinch a rose from a neighbour's garden and give it to your girlfriend. She may accept it but 'don't be surprised if you end up with 'wine and cake to help the thorns go down'! (her gift for 'black' humour')

From Anna-May's Zeus, who needed water and was refused, 'water is a gift' to Susan's For Herself - 'she will buy tulips for herself because she deserves it' and 'Advice to the Lovelorn – 'get a haircut. No revenge. Just suit yourself!' and 'remember all the lovers you will leave. Forget the few who will leave you' to (hopefully) with each, 'our eyes become a little clearer'. Wonderful performance of poetry, leaving the audience with much to think about.

'Not everyone likes rap' announced 22 year old Michael Usuwana, who received much applause for his emotional, 'You put me in a private school. Seven years I'm still taking anti-depressants, and 'father wasn't there. All I needed was a hug'. 'My friend's got a baby. My friend's barely got no brain.. She's 12 years old and she's having a baby'. Michael writes in his head. Performs without writing it. audi maserati, another crowd pleaser, explained Planet Mongo, 'once an 'insult''. When his kids were little, he'd spoil their dreams. 'Barbie isn't real. She's not fantastic. She's made of plastic'. He played the ukelele. Told of going to a nonsense poetry workshop. Sang 'The Pointless Song'- ... where dolphins wear moustaches. The audience' as ever. loved it.

Michael Sherman did Cheerio Mrs Marmite. 'She rebuilt our leaking ship. Heaved it off the rocks but man felt thrown. Now she's an icon'! Also Procession, about time passing, and One Day - 'when bankers are all dead, we will plant the future'! Barry Smith, Chichester's festival director, (over 200 events) spoke of the 'rediscovery of found poems. Accountability - three 'well to do men' preparing for cruises, - no time to complain- holding up brown envelopes in disgust. 'Council tax has gone up £8!' And - another tribute to The Lady.' - During Thatcher ...'I was aware of the homeless. '...Attendants collect money while the homeless man shows 'no hasty handful of change clinks by his side – only the pool of liquid spreads...Sven Stears, back after three years in London, also spoke of time. Slow Clock - 'Time is a human concept. Live life slowly. Become timeless'.

' First timer, Emily Rose Smith, (Barry's daughter) did an American style Mafia tale, L'egoiste – killer tale, Escalator of a Tube – about the people; and 'watch your feet'. Another first timer, KC , did Goodbye Delilah - 'Twinkle twinkle little star. you burnt me 90 degrees' – (somehow Samson came to mind)! Maria Hewett did 'scientists play at being magicians'. 'Mirrors deflecting sun's rays directly away from the Earth. Will they fool us too'. Then 'Too much rain'. Finally, Tobago. Backward and awkward. 'Buses run to no time table'.Lovely – but something's missing?'

Chris Sangster, since exactly one year ago in intensive care, wrote a book but can't write a poem. His 'non-poem' appropriately called Mental Block – we wish him luck getting published! He also spoke of his cruise to Saint Petersburg. Jilly Funnell, played Andante, about the pain of public transport. The Inappropriate Babysitter - 'Sleep little babe..' while mum, meantime, is 'on the town'. 'want to ask who your daddy was?....'She then sang and played 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Bless your Beautiful Heart with everyone humming. Last performer, but definitely not least, the beautiful and talented Stella. Her first song , 'Prepare Ye' 'Pre ee pare Thee to savour what's yours' – about war. It was sung with much emotion. Followed by Rotates - 'when you made me an earthling in on the race'.

Once again, regrets that Jack Warshaw couldn't get to the mike, but we certainly look forward to hearing him in future! Tuesday 18th June brings performance poet and comic, Jack Dean – a young man with talent who is already making it very big in the poetry scene. The raffle for a meal for two at Fez, was won by Jilly (who won a lottery next day for £542. We're waiting for the 'third' fallout!)

Do come and see what we're all about! Each month is different. Each month brings something different! But one thing is the same: it's always a great evening!