Category Archives: poetry

Responding to Criticism

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Whilst out walking yesterday, I bumped into an acquaintance.
“I like your poems. I’m not sure about the limericks though”.

His comment concerning my latest collection “Leaving and Other Poems” made me smile. I appreciate good honest feedback and that is what I received.

I could have pointed out that others have said how much they enjoy my humorous verses, (which indeed they have). However, I said words to the following effect:
“I’m really pleased you like my poems”.
We chatted for a while about other matters, then we both went our separate ways.

I have seen other authors/poets become defensive when their writing is critiqued however gentle the criticism is. Whilst I completely understand why writers adopt this position – they have slaved long and hard over their computer to produce their work – not everyone is going to like everything you have written, and as authors/poets we need to accept this fact with grace and keep writing.

Some criticism is fair criticism and needs to be taken on the chin. We can (and should) learn from it. Where criticism becomes unacceptable is when it turns to personal attacks on the author or their family and friends. But provided it focuses on the writing it is fair as, once a book is out there it is no longer the sole property of the author. Of course he/she retains copyright, however readers have every right to interpret a book they have read as they wish.

In the case of my acquaintance, I am delighted he likes my “poems”, and I understand that my brand of humour is not to everyone’s taste. Indeed some readers dislike humorous verse in it’s entirety and they do, of course have every right to do so.

As always, I would be interested in the views of my readers.

(“Leaving and Other Poems” is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback and can be found here, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris-ebook/dp/B09R8NG6WQ).

Kevin

The Tombstones Stand Out White

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The tombstones stand out white
In the sun’s light.
I wonder, as I go
Whether those now below
Lived their days in light?

And, when I go
Will those who pass
Along this path
Pause, and sigh,
And think as I?

When I Attended a Large Swingers Convention

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When I attended a large swingers convention
I sensed a good deal of tension.
My friend bishop Hocking
Stole the vicar’s stocking,
But the rest I’d better not mention …!

There Once Was a Vampire Named Keith

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There once was a vampire named Keith
Who, on losing some of his teeth,
Visited a dentist called Lake,
Who used a great stake,
Which ended both Keith and his teeth!

Claire’s Improper Suggestion

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When a young lady named Claire
Said, “lets all have an affair!”,
I said to Miss Hocking,
“That is really quite shocking!”.
But Hocking was busy with Claire!

The Trees Have Been Cut Back

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The trees have been cut back.
The woods lack
The interplay of dark and light.
Day and night
The foxes bark in the park
Nearby, and I
Think of owls in the churchyard,
And nature who
Grows through
Our abandoned yards.

Whilst Playing on My Most Favourite Banister

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Whilst playing on my most favourite banister
I got intrigued by a talking canister.
When the clever thing spoke
And told me a joke,
I almost fell off poor Miss Banister!

My Experience of Organising a Poetry Reading in My Local Library

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At 7 pm on Wednesday 30 March I read my poetry at the Upper Norwood Library Hub. In this post I will set out how the event progressed in the hope that my experience may assist others thinking of organising a poetry reading.

Firstly I would like to thank those who attended and helped to make the event happen, including everyone who assisted in promoting my poetry reading.

I advertised the event using this poster, which was displayed in the library and in a number of local businesses who kindly agreed to promote my reading, https://kmorrispoet.com/2022/03/14/an-image-of-the-poster-advertising-my-poetry-reading-on-wednesday-30-march/. In addition the library included the poster in the “What’s On” section of their website.

My reading was also promoted by a friend on Crystal Palace Local (a Facebook page serving the Crystal Palace and surrounding area).

I also sent an email to work colleagues informing them of my reading and linking to the library’s website.

What was the result of all this promotion by myself and friends?
A total of 8 people attended all of whom where friends or acquaintances.

One acquaintance (who did attend) was unable to bring along some friends interested in attending due to them having tested positive for Covid. In addition one of my friends was unable to come along as he also had tested positive for Covid.

The reading itself went well. I read from my most recent poetry collection “Leaving and Other Poems” and gave a short introduction prior to reading each poem. An interesting discussion took place following on from my reading of many of the poems and many attendees enjoyed a glass of white wine provided by me.

So what lessons do I take away from my poetry reading?
I paid £98 for the hire of the space and approximately £13 for a box of white wine. Whilst the library did an excellent job of ensuring the event ran smoothly and I am extremely grateful to the gentleman who helped to ensure that everything went well, I did not cover my costs and (to my knowledge) no new readers where introduced to my work.

As mentioned above, the library did an excellent job and the space provided was ideal for my reading. However, when organising a future event I will consider booking a free space. I did have the option of using (free of charge) the function room in a local pub on the basis that attendees would buy drinks at the bar thereby providing income to the pub. In retrospect I should perhaps have availed myself of my local pub’s kind offer.

Having said the above, the library is in a central location in Crystal Palace and has obvious literary draw for those interested in books.

When organising a future reading I might consider inviting along another local poet. This would enable the splitting of costs and he/she could promote to his/her friends/contacts whilst I could do likewise.

There is, of course also the option of reading one’s poetry online. I have done this over Zoom with friends dialling in, and also over Microsoft Teams with work colleagues attending virtually. I enjoyed both online readings. There is, however something special and intimate about reading one’s poetry to a live audience which online events are unable to replicate. I shall therefor organise a future in person reading whilst also continuing to read my poetry online.

(Leaving and Other Poems can be found here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09R8NG6WQ/).