It's a 'Mab Mab' World at July's Write Angle!

The air in the room above the pub was a bit heavy but it didn't stop the audience and open mikers from welcoming guest Performance Poet, Mab Jones with the smiles and applause she deserves, ('4 hours on the train - I felt like a burnt sausage'). 

All in all, it was a highly successful evening. Mab, winner of two poetry arts awards (£20,000 + £5000) was right on target with her poetry -..Into feminism, she did a 'Page 3 poem', 'Yesterday when I was walking, I saw a pair of 'tits'. Not birds flying but a newspaper, opened to that page, following as she continued walking. Some male disagreement was heard, and laughter- Mab handled it well. It's easy to be comfortable with her. She is a 'natural' at holding an audience and being 'herself'.

Her voice is soft and lilting but there's an inner strength that comes through - she's always ready to interact with the audience, and share her insights and much of herself. ''I'm reading poems I've hardly read before. Aren't you lucky'. (yes, I felt we were)! They had a freshness and vitality. A poem about a potato 'who wished it was more beautiful'. Poems about how it is to not feel pretty, and 'Dream Woman', Also, The Weed', about the perfect woman made of flowers. She spoke of how, after many failing relationships, she's now truly in love. (even though she's a bit heavy and far from perfect', he adores her). 

She did some Welsh poems, exploring the language and idiomatic expressions – again sharing with those in the audience who understood. You don't need to be perfect – just be who you are. was her theme! There was a Sonnet about a building in Cardiff and did we know that Cardiff was once the Ashes capital of the World.

'Meet Me in Bridgend', and a true story of a mouse in her kitchen (she didn't want) that popped out of her toaster. 'The Man Who Loved a Goat Too Much', but it was consensual - 4 legs good, 2 legs bad...she fantasied the idea that one day, all species and races will marry...in Wales. Her humour comes through –along with her concern for how women are treated, and should be. But her ideas of femininity,although strong, do not overwhelm but are handled in a fun and positive way! So much more but never enough! Write Angle already awaits her next visit!

Following, open miker Bruce Parry played a lovely song 'Ashton Farewell' on his hammer dulcimer, then told of his mother's doll collection, discovered, after she died (for the kids to play with). It contained dolls (from the '70s) with big eyes and big heads. Bruce demonstrated- by pulling a cord, it changed her eyes and mouth. Only one problem. They were marketed by Parry toys but withdrawn from the market, because they frightened the kids! However, now on Ebay, they're selling for £650 ea. Some worth over £1000. Inspired by this, Bruce then read 'The Doll with the changing eyes, followed by Possessions', 'The mountain's my castle'...the stars are my magic...(a talented poet). Then, 'Rhine Cruise', a 9 day journey with friends through Switzerland, Germany, including hundreds of locks, all together – knowing they wouldn't meet again till the next year.

Janet Turner, from The New Forest, had written a poetry book, proceeds of which all go to 'Jacks Place', a hospice for teenagers – She read several poems from the book. 'Poppies Bow Their Heads', 'Grandfather's Bench' and ''A Phony Farewell'.

Barry Smith carried on with the atrocities of July 7th, caused by terrorists, on the underground and bus. He explored not just the awful things but the mundane things. 'last farewells of companionships', a stop at MacDonalds for a solitary last supper before catching the first bus home'. Another atrocity, 'The last Jew in Vinnitsa'. inspired by a photograph which survived. 'There is a pistol at his head and there is another man with a camera'.. Barry put the point that what isn't said is often more important than what is. His last, 'Current Affairs', about 9/11, when he was called by his wife and told about it as he was on the beach on the Isle of Wight. That beach, with its rocky surface came alive! Another wonderful poet.

Graham Sims, (aka Daryl Revko) from Cheltenham, did a comedy routine with the audience thinking it was poetry - there was a burst of laughter and applause when he finally announced, 'it's really funny doing comedy when you don't get a laugh!' ...a 'natural' at the mike. Martin Myers, new to WA, of Irish and Pakistani background, when asked where his family originated, said 'if you ask people where they're from, you don't get an answer. You get a conversation'. He read 'Adam/Elspeth, 'Elspeth/Adam', an interesting poem of conversation in the office 'It's always so quiet in the office these days. Almost as if we've been cast adrift' . Much applause followed.

Audi Maserati followed with his ukulele performing from his new opera - about the ocean, there before the land. Full of mysteries. He played the first and second movements. 'Jelly fish are beautiful'...Sea Horses...(all good fun) – followed by 'Reggae Love Song'. (I wish I was a jelly fish). A talented performer we're lucky to have with us.

Jezz announced, 'Happy Christmas everybody' , following with his skill, talent and charismatic personality, making it hard not to feel emotional, hum or tap along. a cowboy song, played with his 'home-made' guitar and a harmonica. David Roberts, a Woody Allen fan, did 'Interiors', about the 'dark of the mind'. 'Shadows and Fog', 'We live in a world of shadows and fog'. Then, 'Bananas' – about exotic living – enough bananas, pina coladas. Are we all bananas'. Tim Dawes, read a sonnet. 'Northey Airwaves' Then, 'Reflections on Age and Death again' , (not a happy poem), 'a single bare tree in a bare meadow' 'to bring on the black of night'. 'Falling body or failing mind'...'Please god, take not Shakespeare from me'.

Jeananne Naumcymk, long time away from the mic, did a poem about mundane days - but nights are 'risqué'. (Dreams etc), then. 'Past Loves'. Remembering relationships...finally ending with the one meant to be! (husband no 3). Then, a poem about a pigeon. Her cat finally 'handled the situation, Scott Charlesworth, new open miker, did 'Don't forget the Women' and 'Britain', cynical poems about the state of the country!

The two free meals for 'Nagshead', Chichester – were won by Graham Sims, who won it the last time he came from Cheltenham to Write Angle. (It was not fixed, honest injun!)

A good evening for all, with a variation of themes and a big Thank You, Mab, for joining us and making it very special!