Briggs/ Caley/ Stammers Launch Reading- WEDNESDAY 7TH JULY.
Three incredible poets reading for BroadCast's July event as a celebration of their recent collections. David Briggs (The Method Men, salt), Matthew Caley (Apparently, Bloodaxe) and John Stammers (Interior Night, Picador) will be reading in the main bar of the Betsey Trotwood from 8 till 9.30 and its totally free! Here's a poem by John Stammers that I borrowed from The Poem.
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The Day Flies Off Without Me
The planes bound for all points everywhere
etch lines on my office window. From the top floor
London recedes in all directions, and beyond:
the world with its teeming hearts.
I am still, you move, I am a point of reference on a map;
I am at zero meridian as you consume the longitudes.
The pact we made to read our farewells exactly
at two in the afternoon with you in the air
holds me like a heavy winter coat.
Your unopened letter is in my pocket, beating.
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Oxfam Bookfest- THURSDAY 8TH JULY
Seeing Christopher Reid read this weekend at the Ledbury Poetry festival was incredibly special. His Costa Prize winning The Scattering is one of the most touching collections I've ever read, and he is reading this Thursday as part of Oxfam bookfest alongside three clinic favourites, Sam Riviere, Declan Ryan and Christopher Horton. It's free, all funds raised go to Oxfam, and its at the Oxfam bookshop, 91 Marylebone High Street, near Baker street tube. To rsvp email toddswift@clara.co.uk. Below is a nice organised running order if you like your time- keeping thorough.
Reading Order:
7 pm - sharp start
1st Section - Young British Based Poets (7 minutes each)
Christopher Horton
Rachel Lehrman
Declan Ryan
Kelina Gotman
Sam Riviere
BREAK
8 pm - recommence
2nd Section - International Guests (12 minutes each)
John Menaghan
Paul Perry
BREAK
9 pm - recommence
3rd Section - Special Featured Guest (30 minutes)
Christopher Reid, this year's winner of the Costa Prize for A Scattering