Friday Poem

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Friday Poem – ‘The Copenhagen Hair Salon’ by Lynne Hjelmgaard

A wooden hairbrush laying on a grey worktop

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘The Copenhagen Hair Salon’ by Lynne Hjelmgaard from her new collection The Turpentine Tree.

The Copenhagen Hair Salon for Berith When she was old enough to slowpoke around me in her small red Danish clogs, we’d play beauty parlour. I was her willing subject and happily sat on the floor. She’d fuss over my long dark hair, throw a hand mirror and magazines onto my lap so I could follow her inventions and entertain myself as she brushed my hair to remove tangles, rearranged it in elegant styles; piling it on top of my head or roughly, not intentionally, pulling it away from my face. She’d talk with other imaginary customers in the room in her newly-formed language; at times in a whispering voice I found so comforting – I’d fight to stay awake. This dreamy state of beauty and curls I could instantly partake in. In Danish, her two year old vocabulary sounded so sensible. Her mutterings and sighs contained an abundance of power drawing me in - in to all the places I’ve never been and always wanted to go; her will stronger – more mine than mine.

Don’t forget that Lynne will be launching The Turpentine Tree alongside Kathryn Gray and Sue Hubbard next Tuesday 7th November at St John’s Waterloo in London. Readings start at 6:30pm. All welcome.

Joint book launch. Lynne Hjelmgaard, Kathryn Gray & Sue Hubbard. Tuesday 7th November. From 6:30pm. Free entry. All welcome. St John's Waterloo, 73 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8TY.
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Friday Poem – ‘Handsome Weeping Boy’ by Kathryn Gray

Black and white photographs of water droplets on a branch

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘Handsome Weeping Boy’ by Kathryn Gray from her highly anticipated second collection Hollywood or Home.

Handsome Weeping Boy I cannot cry. I have need of a handsome weeping boy. Handsome weeping boy. His tears are pear cultured pearls against his cheeks; he is in touch with his emotions; he leaks. Strap me to a chair. Freeze-frame the oxygen tank in Beaches. These days it is so hard to be authentic. Handsome weeping boy, I hear you. Your shoulders move beside me so gently—breeze caught by a tree! Debra Winger is dying again. Handsome weeping boy, with your handkerchief to stem the flow. The feels is what the kids call it now, and I— I am so full, I am running on empty. I cannot cry. I have need of a handsome weeping boy.

Join us on Tuesday 7th November at St John’s Waterloo in London for a joint book launch featuring Kathryn Gray, Lynne Hjelmgaard and Sue Hubbard. Readings start at 6:30pm. All welcome.

Joint book launch. Lynne Hjelmgaard, Kathryn Gray and Sue Hubbard. Tuesday 7th November from 6:30pm. Free entry. All welcome. St John's Waterloo, 73 Waterloo Road, London, SE18TY
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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.
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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