Wednesday 29 October 2014

Postcard Poetry



For the love of words, stamps, people and imagery I started the project 'Postcard Poetry.' I have for years, collected Black & White postcards, sent them, sent letters and written poetry and I thought, why not combine them together?

Starting on National Poetry Day 2014, fellow poets, writers and postcard enthusiasts embarked on the project, a project which I refer to as a 'Chinese Whisper' of poetry via postcards. I started it by writing a poem at South Bank on NPD 2014 about Bubbles ( my Grandma) and gave it to the next poet on the list (I cheated slightly as it was my boyfriend so I didn't post it but hand delivered it.)
I had intended to take one of my postcards off my infamous 'wall' but I forgot in my dash for the train that morning, so instead I very quickly squiggled a biro doodle. This is something I'm encouraging the other poets & writers to do - drawing your postcard would be great as this project is very much about the art as much as it is about the words.

I will be keeping a log of the postcards as they go on their journey with the hope, that possibly, I can bring the postcards and poets together at the end of it for an exhibition.

The second postcard, from Antosh Wojcik to Justine de Mierre .....




If you would like to be involved please contact me via  thingsfromtheburrow@gmail.com

twitter.com/M_e_g_Burrows

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Burrow into a Book...

Ipswich Waterstones Book Club


Another Monday evening found me inside Waterstones with fellow members of Book Club. If you live in Ipswich or Suffolk, I would highly recommend you come along, it's a lovely group with wide discussion led by Laura Marshall & Gemma Gooding and did I mention there is always cake, biscuits or both?
It was this Book Club that first introduced me to Neil Gaiman (see previous post.... I absolutely love the man now) and with them I have read two other books and now onto a third.
The last book we recently read was The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen, In complete honesty, it is the first book I have not finished. I am determined to read it again and review it but I was glad to hear that many of the other Book Club members felt the same as me; highly confused and wishing to speak to the author immediately about various elements of his book, mainly being, the entire plot and whether there actually was one, or if it was simply a catalyst for him to express his opinions on literary criticism within a meta fiction...? I have a feeling that if I had read Finnish folklore I may have more understanding of this story. As I said, I will try again. I should probably say also that at the time I was also reading Adichie's beautiful new book, Americanah, which,I easily immersed myself into and digested like a hungry caterpillar - or should I say, bookworm.

The next book we are reading (very excited to say) is on the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize 2014 (winner is announced tonight!) To Rise Again at a Decent Hour not only has a vibrant, bold design but it confidently states it is the 'Catch-22 of Dentistry' (Stephen Fry you..)





Burrow into Poetry....








I have been writing poetry for a long time alongside my lyrics, fiction and scriptwork. Before and after University I was lucky to have poems published on page in journals and pamphlets. However, I had never thought to perform my poetry.
On reflection, this is surprising as I had come very close to doing so when I was younger and heavily involved in theatre. I would involve poetry into monologues/asides and actually one year, I memorised and choreographed a performance of Roald Dahl's 'Little Red Riding Hood' which won me the school drama festival.

I went to Hammer & Tongue for the first time nearly two years ago now, thinking it was an open mic and instead found myself at a Slam - but what a friendly slam it is. I have to mention that it was the place I met Leanne Moden and her 'Shaving Grace' poem, I saw Raymond Antrobus perform for the first time and where Salena Godden had a telepathic moment with me.

The top floor of the Fountain, where H & T is held, is a great little venue and definitely a welcoming and comfortable space to perform. Fay Roberts, the wonderful lady that she is, runs the nights spectacularly with lots of wit, wisdom and wonder at the poets (her audience warm up of ooh's ahh's and oh's! is testament to this.) With her wonderful sound and light man sidekick, Wes Freeman, the night always promises to be a good one (if you've never been, go, you will love it.)

Tim Knight ( https://twitter.com/CoffeeShopPoems) opened the evening for us with some fantastic poetry. A young poet whose style reminds me at times of Sarah Kay and Simon Armitage, performed his brilliant poem, The Parent Trap. It was a true favourite of ours on the front row, as was his piece about making a 'mixtape.' Using domestic details well, he delivers with great nostalgia and gentle, humorous reflection. Definitely one to watch.
The evening commenced into the slam, finding us some great new poets to take to the stage. Something that is great about H & T, you will find a good range of poets come up to slam and keep the dynamic varied. I personally hadn't decided what I was going to perform (I have been writing a lot of new material at the moment) and in the moment walking up to the mic settled on my poem 'A Circle is an Open Shape' and '3rd Rate Underwear' - a poem about purple pants which went down very well it seems. I was very proud of fellow Suffolk poet, Dan Clark, who gave a tremendous performance and went on to win the slam.
The last feature of the night was amazing, I cannot recommend seeing Jonny Fluffypunk enough. Forget your comedy clubs, here is a man who will make you cry with laughter and listen intently with his fantastic, hillarious and extremely insightful poetry. His performance made me think more of a cabaret and his observations of people,things and life are spot on, not to mention his quick fire banter with the audience; it is pure brilliance. I think The Independent describes him perfectly;
"Acute social observation, intricate humour, surreal fantasy, sharp irony and wit..... and England's most pretentious moustache."
http://www.jonnyfluffypunk.co.uk/

The next Hammer & Tongue Cambridge event is on November 12th, details can be found here;

https://www.facebook.com/events/536833813114536/

Monday 13 October 2014

Meg Burrows Music






Friday 3rd October was such a good gig at the Cult Cafe. It is a brilliant venue and bar and not to mention, it does some pretty mean brownies.....
We ended up playing for just over an hour and thankfully no more as I had only just recovered from a horrible cold (apologies to all the previous weekend missing my other gigs...... really disappointing I couldn't make Duck Day or Vagabonds!)
I ended up singing more covers than originals due to audience, sound and equipment but it was a fun set and the audience were grand to play for. Feldspar who followed us were fab, a really tight group with a distinct sound - they made me think of Seth Lakeman, meets Mumford, meets Stornoway.

You can listen to their music here; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNG16OMw6jC1LKoEseJb8CQ

I'm currently in the process of writing new songs, but I'm also keen to write lyrics for others. Here is an up to date gig listing of our next few shows, if you are around, please come along and say hello :)


OXJAM Sunday 26th October      Geldeston Locks Norfolk  music from 2pm

Halloween Gig   31st October     Steamboat Tavern Ipswich (Gavin Mitchell & Jordan Hay) 8pm

Children in Need   Nov 7th          Novotel Ipswich ( £5 ticket all proceeds to charity) 7:30pm

Live at Isaacs      Nov   30th         Isaacs   Ipswich   3pm

 https://www.facebook.com/MegBurrowsMusic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y-jwYpA8Tw&list=UUU3jzo7PrQKOjEVThFenQEA

Postcard Poetry





For the love of words, stamps, people and imagery I started the project 'Postcard Poetry.' I have for years, collected Black & White postcards, sent them, sent letters and written poetry and I thought, why not combine them together?

Starting on National Poetry Day 2014, fellow poets, writers and postcard enthusiasts embarked on the project, a project which I refer to as a 'Chinese Whisper' of poetry via postcards. I started it by writing a poem at South Bank on NPD 2014 about Bubbles ( my Grandma) and gave it to the next poet on the list (I cheated slightly as it was my boyfriend so I didn't post it but hand delivered it.)
I had intended to take one of my postcards off my infamous 'wall' but I forgot in my dash for the train that morning, so instead I very quickly squiggled a biro doodle. This is something I'm encouraging the other poets & writers to do - drawing your postcard would be great as this project is very much about the art as much as it is about the words.

I will be keeping a log of the postcards as they go on their journey with the hope, that possibly, I can bring the postcards and poets together at the end of it for an exhibition.

Here is Antosh's photo - a postcard from me, Meg





If you would like to be involved please email;

  thingsfromtheburrow@gmail.com   (Meg Burrows)

Thursday 2 October 2014

National Poetry Day!

Happy National Poetry Day everyone :)

I am now home after a full day of poetry in London - I am very lucky to say my favourite person is also one of my favourite poets and I got to spend the day with him watching some of our favourite poets, celebrating poetry at National Poetry Day Live at Southbank Centre, London.

It was a brilliant day filled with poets such as Ross Sutherland, Raymond Antrobus, Kei Miller, Joshua Idehen, Hannah Silvas & John Hegley. Two brilliant poets who helped produce the day also performed - the fantastic Sophie Fenella and a finalist for this years Young Poet Laureate, Rachel Long. I felt a lot of word, voice and biscuit love today, it was truly wonderful.

Also today, I have launched my own project, 'Postcard Poetry' by giving the first Postcard Poem away! I wrote it next to the Thames this morning.... felt very in the spirit of NPD.

Here is another poem I wrote today on the theme, 'Remember;'

You get yourself ready in the dark depths of remember....
You turn off clocks, stop your watch and surrender, to all the cliches and cut outs of memory, to all the expectations of grief and unsaid comments to longing, but I shout out in relief!
This is the time to be LAUGHTER, to gather up the goodness in echoes and let them bellow through streets, through greets, hands and meets and let them reverberate her undeniable character all the way back to you.



P.S Here is a link to my favourite poet, Antosh Wojcik  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG5J1kFIjT8