…and then katie who is very quiet most of the time
says no that wasn’t in the past because it’s happening
today it’s happening now she saw it on her phone
and that we’re all going to die tomorrow or the day after
and both rebeccas stand up waving their hands shouting
we’re not are we sir we’re not are we we’re not going to die
tomorrow are we sir…
—Mark Russell, “Drama”
in With Their Best Clothes On: New Writing Scotland 36
#OTD in 1888, writer T.S. Eliot is born in St. Louis, Missouri, US.
"He was a leading figure in English-language Modernist poetry where he reinvigorated the art through his use of language, writing style, and verse structure. He is also noted for his critical essays, which often re-evaluated long-held cultural beliefs."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._S._Eliot
Eliot's books at PG:
NETTLES: A Launch & Showcase
16 Oct, Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh – free
Launching NETTLES, Nazaret Renea’s debut poetry collection, plus readings from four of the young poets taking part in Scotland’s Next Generation Young Makars scheme: Mattea Gernentz, Elissa Hunter-Dorans, Ben Mann & Caitlin Sherret.
Spanish poet and man of letters Manuel José Quintana was born #OTD in 1772.
Quintana was known for his eloquent poetry and his active involvement in the political and cultural affairs of his time. One of Quintana's most famous works is his poem "La Pelayo," which celebrates the victory of the Spanish forces led by Pelayo over the Moors in the Battle of Covadonga in 722 AD.
Books by Manuel José Quintana at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=Manuel+Jos%C3%A9+Quintana&submit_search=Go%21
You were
Born from
The light of
A thousand
Stars, you
Needn’t fear
The dark.
For the handful of Russian-speaking in here, who could find this relevant:
this Saturday, 19:00 (JLM/MSK), Metazhurnal will host an online presentation of my book (texts from 2004–2016).
I’ll read; several poets & critics will say some words.
The event will be in Russian. There’ll be a recording.
Join here: https://www.youtube.com/@%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B6%D1%83%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB
PDF: https://tangowhiskybooks.tumblr.com/post/796662596077060096/%D0%BA%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B0-12-tw-12
In print, the book may still be found in Moscow, Tbilisi, Yerevan and Jerusalem.
April, the last full fixture of the spring:
“Feet, Scottish, feet!” – they rucked the fear of God
Into Blackheath. Their club was everything…
—“London Scottish”, by Mick Imlah (1956–2009) – born #OTD, 26 September.
Published in THE LOST LEADER (Faber, 2008)
1/5
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/london-scottish/
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #warpoetry #WW1 #rugby #LondonScottish
Italian poet and librettist Pietro Metastasio died #OTD in 1782.
His librettos were characterized by their lyrical quality, emotional depth, and dramatic structure, which made them well-suited for musical adaptation. Some of his most famous works include "La clemenza di Tito," which was later set to music by Mozart, "Didone abbandonata," and "Artaserse."
Books by Pietro Metastasio at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/4069
From the Caribbean to Caledonia: Two National Bards in Conversation
In this special edition of the Scottish Poetry Library podcast, Scotland’s current Makar, Peter Mackay, & the former Poet Laureate of Jamaica, Lorna Goodison, discuss Robert Burns, Bob Marley, Dante’s Inferno, the Gaelic & Jamaican tongues, & much more
#Scottish #Jamaican #literature #Scotland #Jamaica #poetry #podcast #RobertBurns #BobMarley #Dante #Gaelic #Gaidhlig #language #minoritylanguages
English poet Lord Byron died #OTD 200 years ago.
Some of his most famous works include the epic poem "Don Juan," the narrative poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," and numerous shorter poems such as "She Walks in Beauty" and "When We Two Parted." Byron became involved in various political and social causes, including advocating for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Books by Lord Byron at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1708
Lord Byron – “half a Scot by birth, and bred / a whole one” – died 200 years ago #OTD, 19 April 1824
This poem was written in a letter to Thomas Moore from Venice in 1817, when Byron was feeling particularly shagged out after Carnevale…
#Byron #LordByron #Scottish #literature #poetry #18thcentury #19thcentury #romanticism
1/4
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43845/so-well-go-no-more-a-roving
Glasgow, late September and the city I spoke of
in another country (its fierce sandstone
burning, its bombast of finials built on the heads of slaves
the monumental tower blocks of a later order
catching fire from the west as a plane comes in)…
—Gerrie Fellows, “Dream Cities”
published in The Body in Space (Shearsman, 2014)
From breakfast on through all the day
At home among my friends I stay,
But every night I go abroad
Afar into the land of Nod…
—Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Land of Nod” – from A Child’s Garden of Verses
Image: illustration by Charles Robinson (1870–1937) to “The Land of Nod”
Today, 25 September, is #WorldDreamDay
1/3
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47431/the-land-of-nod
#Scottish #literature #kidlit #poetry #19thcentury #RobertLouisStevenson #dream #dreams #dreaming
Portuguese poet, philosopher, and writer Antero de Quental was born #OTD in 1842.
Some of Quental's notable works include "Sonetos Completos" (Complete Sonnets), "Prosas Dispersas" (Scattered Prose), and "Odes Modernas" (Modern Odes). His poetry is characterized by its introspective and philosophical nature, often delving into the complexities of the human psyche and society.
Books by Antero de Quental at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/34296
My poetry chapbook The Reducing Flame received a positive online review at Razorcake.
https://razorcake.org/reducing-flame-the-6-5%c2%bd-x-8%c2%bd-16-pgs/
Copies of my book are still available in both print and ebook formats at my Ko-fi shop
https://ko-fi.com/richmagahiz/shop
#specpo #poetry #sciencefiction #fantasy #horror
nuair a tha mi fhìn nam sheasamh
aig ceann Loch an Dala
’s mi a’ coimhead thar cuain geur
a’ deàrrsadh ’s a’ deàlradh
fo ghrian na sìorraidheachd
chan fhaic mi sgath dhen ghlasadh cheilteach…
—Iain S. Mac a’ Phearsain, “ceann Loch an Dala”
in Friends & Kangaroos: New Writing Scotland 17 (ASL, 1999)
#Scottish #literature #Gaelic #Gaidhlig #poem #poetry #Islay #emigration
As your lover on waking recounts her dreams,
unruly, striking, unfathomable as herself,
your attention wanders
to her moving lips, throat, those slim shoulders
draped in a shawl of light…
—Andrew Greig, “A Long Shot”
published in This Life, This Life (Bloodaxe, 2007)
English poet William Cowper died #OTD in 1800.
His first volume of poetry, "Poems by William Cowper, of the Inner Temple, Esq." was published in 1782. This volume included some of his most famous poems, such as "Table Talk" and other shorter pieces that reflected his views on nature, spirituality, and humanity. His most famous work is "The Task" (1785), a six-book poem in blank verse, which was inspired by a friend who challenged him to write a poem about a sofa.
Back here, the iron line crosses future, past:
Then my father will surely be seen
Trekking the sodden, lonely land,
Weekenders, together –
—Jackie Kay, “Rannoch Loop”
published in BANTAM (Picador, 2017)
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jackie-kay/bantam/9781509887927
On BBC Sounds: Jackie Kay talks to John Wilson about her childhood in Glasgow as the mixed-race, adopted daughter of a loving couple.
Jackie first introduction to performance & theatre were the parties her parents hosted to raise money for the Communist Party.
Growing up in Glasgow in the 60s & 70s, Jackie had very few Black role models & took inspiration from the works of Audre Lorde & Angela Davis.
English poet Rupert Brooke died #OTD in 1915.
He is known for his idealistic war sonnets written during the First World War, especially "The Soldier". Rupert Brooke’s promising literary career was cut short when he died in April 1915 from sepsis resulting from an infected mosquito bite while he was part of the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
Books by Rupert Brooke at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/148
Out now via Dragon Trax Recordings:
Various Artists - Soondaze EP
An eclectic collaborative release combining electro-pop, trip hop, acoustic ambience and poetry featuring contributions from @ireless, Andy Stockton, Mark SaFranko and me.
The release artwork features some lovely watercolour paintings by Mark SaFranko who also contributed some music to the release.
https://dragontraxuk.bandcamp.com/album/soondaze-ep
#TripHop #Poetry #AcousticGuitar #ElectroPop #DragonTrax #SoondazeEP #music
I want answers, but there are only the wild geese
Calling, high in the almost-dark, bearing south,
And me, stopped short, clutching a bag of groceries
On the doorstep of my not-quite home…
—Susan Mansfield, “Bearing South”
from The Rooftop Busker: New Writing Scotland 33 (ASL, 2015)
Here, I got you one of those you like:
those bewildered late bloomers, tough and small
and sweeter than they’ve any right to be…
—Don Paterson, “A Winter Apple”
Published in THE ARCTIC (Faber, 2022)
There is one week to go till my new poetry collection "Dracula in the Colonies" is launched! You and your favourite friends (or even your random acquaintances) are warmly invited to the launch at Unity Books Wellington on Wednesday 1 October, starting 6pm.
Full details including a couple of lovely book endorsements: https://www.timjonesbooks.co.nz/blog/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1159319136008748/
#Books #Poetry #Bookstodon @bookstodon #Aotearoa
