On Wednesday 30th March I read my poetry at The Upper Norwood Library Hub. For links to those readings and other TikTok videos please follow this link:
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Tag Archives: Leaving and other poems
Responding to Criticism
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
Poetry Reading at the Upper Norwood Library Hub at 7 pm on Wednesday 30 March 2022
I am pleased to announce that I shall be reading my poetry at the Upper Norwood Library Hub on Wednesday 30 March at 7 pm. For details of the venue please visit this link https://www.uppernorwoodlibraryhub.org/.
I will read from my recently published collection Leaving and Other Poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris-ebook/dp/B09R8NG6WQ.
I hope to record the event and link to the video here.
If you have queries regarding the event please email kmorris poet (at) gmail . com, or leave a comment here.
I hope to see some of you on 30 March.
Kevin
2 Reviews of My Collection Leaving and Other Poems
I was delighted to receive the following 2 reviews of my recently published collection Leaving and Other Poems.
Perspectivepower:
“Leaving and Other Poems is the latest in a long line of wonderful books of poetry written by Kevin Morris. For those who desire to find humor, logic, passion, and pleasure in poetry, then this is a terrific source of these things and more. Kevin’s observations, interpretations, and imagination will speak to you regardless of your walk of life. You may even find yourself inspired to put pen to paper and write your thoughts out, whether or not you ever share those writings. We can thank our lucky stars that Kevin does indeed share what he writes!”
(To read the original review together with other reviews of Leaving and Other Poems please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris-ebook/product-reviews/B09R8NG6WQ/).
Victoria Zigler:
“This is another excellent collection of poems by this author, some of which are thought-provoking, while others are amusing. I can easily relate to the poem “I Cut Bread” having been in a similar situation with a dog of my own, and “Autumn’s Dead Leaves” was another poem I really loved from this collection.”
(To read the original review on Goodreads please visit https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4563101204?book_show_action=false).
My Collection Leaving and Other Poems is Available to Purchase in the Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace SE19
I am pleased to report that my local independent bookshop, Bookseller Crow has kindly agreed to stock my collection Leaving and Other Poems.
Local bookstores play an important role in the community and long may the Bookseller Crow continue to prosper.
You can find out about the Bookseller Crow here https://booksellercrow.co.uk/.
Leaving is also available as a Kindle download and can be found here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09R8NG6WQ/
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2 Free Copies of Leaving and Other Poems are Available to be Won
I have 2 free copies of the paperback edition of my collection Leaving and Other Poems to give away https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris/dp/B09R3HR9KG/
My book is available on a first come first served basis. To be in with a chance of obtaining a free signed copy of Leaving and Other Poems please send an email to kmorris poet (at) gmail dot com. The address is rendered in this manner to defeat spammers.
Please put “free copy of Leaving” in the subject line of your email.
Please note, if you win I shall require your postal address to send the book to you. This information will not be shared with anyone else and will be destroyed once the book is sent.
If you receive a free copy of Leaving and Other Poems do please consider leaving a review. You are, however under absolutely no obligation to review the book.
Please remember that only 2 free copies of Leaving in paperback are available to be won.
Poet K Morris’s Podcast of Readings from Leaving and Other Poems
On 9 February, I posted regarding my forthcoming interview on Vancouver Co-op Radio’s the World Poetry Reading Series, https://kmorrispoet.com/2022/02/09/poet-kevin-morris-interviewed-by-ariadne-sawyer-of-vancouver-co-op-radios-the-world-poetry-reading-series/.
In the above post I said that my interview/poetry reading will be broadcast at 9 pm (UK time) on Thursday 10 February which is, of course this evening.
For anyone who is unable to listen at 9 pm I am pleased to let you know that my interview and reading from Leaving and Other Poems is now available on Mixcloud. To listen to me talk about my poetry and read some of my poems please visit this link https://www.mixcloud.com/VictorSchwartzman/world-poetry-cafe-for-feb-10/
My interview takes place approximately 15 minutes into the podcast and lasts for about 10 minutes. In addition I read a final poem at the end of the show.
Please note, you don’t need to have an account with Mixcloud to listen to the podcast. To listen simply click on the play button.
Poet Kevin Morris Interviewed by Ariadne Sawyer of Vancouver Co-op Radio’s the World Poetry Reading Series
On Monday 7 February, I was interviewed by Ariadne Sawyer of Vancouver Co-op Radio’s the World Poetry Reading Series. During my interview I talked about and read from my recently released collection Leaving and Other Poems, which is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
The show is scheduled to be broadcast at 9 pm (UK time) on Thursday 10 February. My interview takes place some 10-15 minutes into the show. In addition I read my poem “If My Clock Antique” at the end of the broadcast.
You can find the World Poetry Reading Series here https://www.worldpoetry.ca/. For Leaving and Other Poems please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09R3HR9KG/ (for the UK), and here, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R3HR9KG/
(for the US and elsewhere).
Should Poets Explain their Poetry?
Last Friday (5 February) I gave an online reading, using Microsoft Teams to work colleagues.
During my performance I read from my recently released collection Leaving and Other Poems. Having read my poem Blackbird, I explained the context in which it had been composed.
Having finished my brief explanation, a colleague commented that knowing something about the context of the poem, it’s meaning Etc was helpful. I responded that whilst I appreciated her thoughts and, I am, on occasions happy to provide context, I was wary of taking away from my readers own perspectives on my poetry by putting my interpretation on my work.
Part of the beauty of poetry is that the reader can interpret a poem in diverse (and often very different ways). I am often surprised at how my readers interpret my work and sometimes find their interpretations rather bizarre. However, in many other instances I comprehend why they interpret a particular poem as they do and this has sometimes caused me to see new meanings in my own work.
I am planning a reading from Leaving and Other Poems in a local library in the near future. Doubtless I will talk about what inspired me to write a given poem. However, if I am asked what a particular poem means I shall politely respond that I would be interested to hear the questioners own interpretation prior to (possibly) providing my own perspective.
As always I would be interested in your comments. How do my fellow poets feel about explaining their poetry? Also, if you are not a poet but enjoy reading poetry, do you find a poets explanations helpful or do they take away from your enjoyment of their work?
You can find Leaving and Other Poems in paperback and Kindle on Amazon here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09R3HR9KG/ (for the UK), and here, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R3HR9KG/
(for the US and elsewhere).
A Shiver, a Sigh, a Smile: Audrey Driscoll’s Review of Leaving and Other Poems by K Morris
I was delighted to receive a 4 star review of my recently published collection Leaving and Other Poems:
“Morris has a knack for creating vivid pictures with few words. “The Lighted Department Store” is a perfect example. Reading it, I saw the cheerful lights of store and pub, I heard the shouts of drinkers and the clink of glasses, but at the end, I was reminded, comes darkness and silence.
The brevity and conciseness of these poems make this book perfect for readers looking for philosophical glimpses into life.”
To read the review in full please visit https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3VGH3XMT6BHPE/.
To read a sample or purchase Leaving and Other Poems please visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R8NG6WQ/
K Morris - Poet 