My interview with the artist Melanie Manchot for Brighton's Radio Reverb. You can hear me talking about the back story to Zones of Avoidance which won the 2013 Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry

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The World's Coat

The world's coat

has a zillion buttons made of stone,

has pockets

deeper than the deepest Ocean;

with its collar pulled up

it reaches beyond the death of stars.

Its fabric can cope with hurricane and hail,

sandstorm and snow;

it can brace your sorrows and your fears

of no tomorrow.

The word's coat is lined with silk from all the silk worms

that ...

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A CAGE WENT IN SEARCH OF A BIRD

Kafka

What use is a cage

that's become afraid

of its own trappings -

its mirror, its bell its swing?

What use is an opening 

that doesn't stay open?

What use is a perch

that doesn't stay still?

No use thinking things

will change

should a bird fly in

and make itself at home.

What use is a co...

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Zones of Avoidance (an excerpt)

I’m reading ‘The Confessions of an English Opium Eater’ –

I want to understand what drove my daughter out

in the snow with no coat or socks, in search of a fix.

I want to understand what divinity led her

to set up camp in the derelict ‘pigeon house’

after running out of sofas to surf.

*

I was a Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds girl mys...

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Review

Zones of Avoidance, David Russell Theatre, Portsmouth

Maggie Sawkins' Zones of Avoidance is an intriguing combination of video, sound and live presentation of her poetry combined with words from people in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.

The award-winning show - recipient of the 2013 Ted Hughes Award for New Work Poetry - takes its audience into the world of Maggie's daughter'...

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Tongues&Grooves Open Mic at the New Southsea Show on Saturday 4 August 2013

www.tongues-and-grooves.org.uk

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