It’s been a particularly dark January and I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for the turn in the year and the light at Imbolc/Candlemas. There are snowdrops, aconites, hellebores and crocuses flowering in the garden and catkins on the hazel already puffing out pollen. This is all happening despite gale force winds that batter the house day and night. It’s been a while since the house rested in silence.
There is the prospect of more gatherings though, folk starting to venture out for culture and company. At the end of February, I’m heading down to Birmingham for this year’s VERVE Festival, where I’ll be offering a workshop (Sunday 25th February 3.30-5.30pm). If you’re in that neck of the woods, it would be lovely to see you. The Festival tries to make their events as accessible as possible so I’ll be leading the same workshop online on 12th February (7-9pm) . If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you can book here.
On Valentine’s Day once again I’ll be reading some poems at Johanna’s Sound Lounge at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham. It’s free, drop in between 12 and 1.30 or stay for the whole Sonic Valentine session. Johanna plays her gongs, bowls and bells with love for the planet in mind and creates a rare timeless space in the middle of the life of the town for everyone to share.
There’s the next Writing into Being Writing Hour to look forward to this Thursday 8th February 4-5pm GMT. If you’re not on the list, let me know in the comments below or send me an email and I’ll send you the link. The actual New Moon is on Friday and announces Chinese New Year – the Year of the Green Wood Dragon! The dragon is considered powerful and auspicious, a symbol of happiness and good luck. Some Chinese astrologers are saying that this year should be easier than the past two – wishful thinking or ancient wisdom? We shall see…
Today is the official St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday in Ireland. As well as heralding the return of Spring, she is the patron saint of craft and poetry. So to mark her coming, here’s a recent poem of mine I hope you might enjoy listening to, written up this way in the thick of winter.
Thank you for all your comments about the poem... It's always good to hear if something's landed. You can never be certain. Nor should you be really. Lx
Beautiful poem. Please may I have the link to the Writing into Being hour? Thank you