Last week I organised an alternative to Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night. I had asked ( on posters, email and facebook ) for a poem that would celebrate the night/stars/dark or even fireworks. That was my big mistake.

I started the evening at 7-45pm, introduced the first poet and sat down to doodle and make a few notes on the next poet up. I was somewhat surprised when the first person finished their poem and sat down.

I introduced the next poet and sat down to doodle and make notes. She read her poem and left the stage.

You can see where this is going.

By 8pm 5 poets had got up and sat down. So, the lesson is – you sometimes get what you ask for. I should have asked that people include in their 6 or 7 minute slot one ( or more ) poem to do with the theme.