Posted on by

Friday Poem – ‘Visitor’ by Lynne Hjelmgaard

Close up photo of a pink lilac flower

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘Visitor’ by Lynne Hjelmgaard from her collection A Second Whisper. The poem is about the first time she met her late partner Dannie Abse. Lynne will be reading this poem and others at our event Remembering Dannie Abse: Centenary Celebration at Carnegie Hall in Bridgend tonight. Doors open 6:30pm. All welcome.

Visitor The night you introduced yourself the scent of lilacs lingered in the ground after rain. You were like a summons from another world, full of longing and joy – a soothing presence coaxing me out of a deep sleep with your melodious tenor. Is it the nectar that lured you to the garden, the damp soil, an open window? Is it love to want to be part of your passing dream, your sad ancient spirit in a bird? Listen to me, take me there so we can celebrate fresh green shoots sprouting on the bare trunks of the lime tree together.

Today marks the centenary of renowned Welsh author Dannie Abse. Tonight, 22nd September, we are celebrating his life and work at Carnegie Hall in Bridgend alongside those who knew him. Tickets are £5.50 or £3.50 for concessions. Subject to availability, tickets will be available on the door but advance booking is suggested. Book via the link below.

Dannie Abse Remembered: Centenary Celebration. From 7pm, Friday 22nd September 2023. Carnegie House, 14 Wyndham Street, Bridgend, CF31 1EF. £5.50 general admission. £3.50 concessions.
Buy tickets
Posted on by

Friday Poem – ‘Case History’ by Dannie Abse

Black and white photo of a stethoscope laying beside a pile of old books.

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘Case History’ by Dannie Abse from his collection Welsh Retrospective. Friday 22nd September marks Abse’s centenary. Join us at Carnegie House in Bridgend for a special event celebrating his life and work.

Case History ‘Most Welshmen are worthless, an inferior breed, doctor.’ He did not know I was Welsh. Then he praised the architects of the German death-camps – did not know I was a Jew. He called liberals, ‘White blacks’, and continued to invent curses. When I palpated his liver I felt the soft liver of Goering; when I lifted my stethoscope I heard the heartbeats of Himmler; when I read his encephalograph I thought, ‘Sieg heil, mein Führer.’ In the clinic’s dispensary red berry of black bryony, cowbane, deadly nightshade, deathcap. Yet I prescribed for him as if he were my brother. Later that night I must have slept on my arm: momentarily my right hand lost its cunning.
Dannie Abse Remembered: Centenary Celebration. From 7pm Friday 22nd September 2023. Carnegie House, 14 Wnydham Street, Bridgend, CF31 1EF. £5.50 general admission. £3.50 concessions.
Buy tickets
Posted on by

Friday Poem – ‘Greenery’ by Judy Brown

Two tall apartment blocks flank the photograph. In the middle is a forest.

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘Greenery’ from Judy Brown’s latest collection Lairs.

Greenery When I moved to the city that no longer exists it was September. The air was brown fur growing thick round the candy cane buildings that poked through cloud and were lost. I could breathe, I could talk, but my bones grew longer and rang when sheet lightning flashed its show over the mainland. I ate without using knives or forks - not to be feral, but to slow myself down.

Don’t miss out on seeing Judy Brown and Graham Davies at our upcoming virtual First Thursday event. Tickets are £2 plus an Eventbrite fee. Book here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/705815231357.