A REGULAR poetry cafe in Reading celebrated local poets even more than usual with its latest event.
The Poet’s Cafe hosts guest poets at monthly salons, held at South Street Arts Centre, and invites attendees to perform their own work through open mic slots.
While last month saw esteemed London-born poet John McCullough perform a number of poems from his latest collection, Panic Response, this month focused three poets based in Reading.
Robin Thomas, Kate Noakes, and Jules Whiting were invited to showcase their work, with host Jez Dyer kicking things off by performing a poem written by his partner about a night spent in a lighthouse.
Jules Whiting was first to read, selecting a number of works from her published collection, Folding Time, which explore her experiences with organ donation.
Her set included impactful and tender poems such as Cadaveric Transplant, Addicted to Life, and Folding Time, concluding with a piece called Damage.
Robin Thomas followed with set including pieces inspired by classical artists such as Van Gogh, and closed with a joyful and poignant poem about the eventual absence of a neighbour’s cat.
Caversham’s Kate Noakes performed a selection from her collection, Goldhawk Road, published by Reading-based Two Rivers Press.
Her set included Flat Holm/Steep Holm, which explores one’s relationship with culture and identity when moving from place to place.
She also performed a poem about a bad date, Your Table Will Be About 10 Minutes, before concluding her set with Waiting for Ikebana, Mayfair, exploring the outward presentation of other people.
It concluded with a rejoinder lamenting “the end of days,” but closed on the hopeful “still, there is art.”
Two Rivers Press is seeking submissions from poets with links to Reading for an upcoming anthology until Sunday, April 30.
More information is available via: tworiverspress.com
Poet’s Cafe takes place on the second Friday of every month, with the next cafe set for Friday, May 12.
That event will be hosted by Vic Pickup and feature guest poet Khadija Rouf as well as the usual open mic slots.
Tickets cost £5, with a discount for readers.
It also hosts an online salon on the third Friday of the month, with details and tickets available via: whatsonreading.com
