Emerging from a pandemic

I think it's fair to say that COVID-19 has not gone away! However, most of the legal restrictions have disappeared and it is technically easier to hold events, classes and performances, and to travel to them. We are still all feeling our way around this and trying to dodge (re)infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or any other nasty that might come along. Rest assured I am accepting all NHS vaccines/boosters as soon as they are offered to me and being as sensible as ever. I invite organisers to contact me about specific arrangements they may have/require for safety and contingency.

One result of my contracting coronavirus back in February was the obligatory growing of and playing about with facial hair. I attach evidence of recent looks that have tickled my fancy. If any of these appeal, you may have to get your job offers in quick before the tickle loses its novelty. I am open to requests...

Model citizen

After posing for photography and burlesque promo work, I started modelling professionally in autumn 2010 at the Glasgow School of Art. Since then, I have worked for the University of Strathclyde, East Renfrewshire Council, and various artists and art groups.

I was always rather fidgety as a child. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that modelling gives me a sense of achievement. I like to keep my body toned and supple for its own sake but it has spin-off benefits in the type of poses I can create and sustain in what often amounts to 'long-distance yoga'.

I have now started adding more photographs of artwork to my model page. More to follow.

 © Marion Knox (2019)

Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Strathclyde

© Frank Boyle (23/04/2019)

© Peter Thomason (28/03/2011)

Scottish Slam Championships

It's tomorrow. How did that happen? Yes, tomorrow (Saturday 13 February) is the Scottish National Slam Championships. Poetry slam, that is. So, if you fancy coming along to the Tron Theatre in Glasgow for 7.45pm to see (some of) the best of Scotland's performance poets, do. You can buy your ticket and choose your seat at www.tron.co.uk/event/scottish-slam-championships -- cheap at half the price. Want to see whether your favourite poet has qualified? Here is a possibly-not-totally-up-to-date list. BUT I HAVE QUALIFIED AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

#IamLoud

THIS IS NEARLY HERE:

Thursday 17 December, 7.30 for 8pm
Broadcast

427 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3LG Glasgow, United Kingdom

"We here at Loud Poets are excited to bring you another night of spoken word brilliance, our last before the new year (cue pantomime gasps).

It'll be a night so good Alanis Morissette might even call it ironic!

Doors 7:30, show at 8.
Tickets: £4

OUR FABULOUS LINEUP:
KJ Kelly
Jess Smith Poetry
Iona Lee
Chris Young Entertains
David Forrest - Writer
Anna Crow - Green politics and poetry
Doug Garry - Loud Poet

Plus music from Glasgow band Jack and The Bird!

#IamLoud #IronicPoets"

10 weeks, 3 prizes, 1 apology

Long time, no post (again). In my defence, getting my 1 apology in first, I've not been on top form physically and have been busy with all sorts of things on the domestic, political and academic fronts. Which makes my 3 prizes both surprising and especially gratifying.

It started on Monday 18 May with the annual Words & Music at Sammy Dow's Mayfest poetry competition. After several occasions as runner-up, I finally got my name added to the Hugh Healy Trophy. (The venue has now become Lebowski's — more on this later.)

Next up was the Faith and Unbelief poetry slam (sponsored by Hillhead Baptist Church) as part of the West End Festival on Saturday 27 June. No photographs were taken of this event so I reproduce the winning poem below.

Fix  

Jimmy Savile took my virginity.
It was 1979.  I was five years old.
But my hopes were big and my hand was bold
when I wrote to that white-haired divinity.
I worshipped this being with his benevolent banter.
There was nothing that couldn't be fixed by Jim.
My prose was a prayer to be heard by Him
who was up there with Jesus and Santa.   

It was my first proper letter on Basildon Bond.
I waited two years for the man to respond
and to wave his cigar like a fat magic wand.  

I was faithful and fond for this fantasy father.
Switched on to his presence, I clung to the dream
that my clumsy request would be read out on screen
and that, somehow or other,
I would see myself instantly there on the telly,
with my best friend Luke, having been granted – for one day –
superhero powers, which we used in our play
to turn hard men to jelly.  

I waited two years for the man to respond:
the Superman mantle would never be donned.
I grew wise – but not quite to how much I'd been conned.   

Back then, I was blond, small and innocent-seeming.
I was eager for adults to talk to and trust.
In those days, so much was just never discussed,
could be likened to dreaming.
I was told I could stay as the toy shop was shutting
by a man we all knew as the kindest of sorts.
Decades on, I recall the descent of my shorts.
At the time, I said nothing.  

And finally, on Saturday 4 July, I got to perform in Paisley (around the corner from where I used to write adverts and play a recurring comedy character on 96.3Qfm, or Q96 as most people remember it, when it was based in Lady Lane). I was competing at the inaugural Sma' Shot Bigshot Poetry Slam as part of Paisley's Sma' Shot Day celebrations (commemorating a milestone in industrial action and workers' solidarity). The slam was even mentioned in a motion to the Scottish Parliament. Chuffed. :)