Last night at Middleton saw a really good mix of poets and styles yet again. There were only a relatively small number of us there but the atmosphere and variety was excellent.

There is no way I could remember all of the poems performed but Peter Cromptons piece about the nuclear attack was stunning, very powerful, thought provoking and sad - a must hear poem. Gordon Zola added a new dimension with his aging rock star poem (or song but thats another discussion topic) and his Happiness Blues accompanied by his electronic guitar thingy (technical term).

The Irish (or partly Irish) contingent formed quite a chunk of the performers but then we probably form a similar sized chunk of the World's population. If we all went home then I gues the Emerald Isle would sink under our weight. Gerry O'Gorman was on fine form with his poem about no money in poetry (but where was the irony Gerry?), Gemma O'Neill reminded us of our past and had all the ladies nodding agreement about the perfect woman (and the men hoping for an introduction).

I thought Katie Hague's final poem about the desparate situation of the man on the street and the way he was ignored was really powerful and deserves another outing when the audience is larger.

Everyone performed well on the night and it was interesting to see how people sparked off each other like Peter and his Alcohol poem and Pauls "Drink yourself to Health" poem/song.

A final mention for Gemma who decided to take a chance and do a song as an experiment. Gemma the experiment was a great success with a great performance and a very moving song about relationship problems. And yes you sure can sing. Well done.

Thaks all for a great night.

Seamus (and Angie)

I agree: a really great night with so many excellent poems. Grand review too, Seamus.

I have heard Peter read so often but never tire of his writing and his superb delivery. As you say Seamus, the cold war poem was chilling, moving, superb.

Katie has a lovely understated delivery with her excellent poetry. More!

It was good to see Tony Walsh there for the first time, and in characteristically top form.

Worryingly, I think Paul actually believes he can drink himself to health.

Gerry's funny piece was about the lack of poetry in money, or was it the other way round? Either eay, Gerry's the man to tell us.

Middleton has become a great place venue for some really fabulous poetry. Those regulars missing shall curse themselves that they were not there that day.

BIll Keeth was a very welcome newcomer and I loved his second piece in particular.

It is always invidious to name names as others get left out. Darlings, you were wonderful.

Julian

Middleton has been my favourite WOL night since the first one and definately still is after Sunday night!

Everyone was brilliant and and eventhough there weren't tonnes of us, I think that coupled with the usual friendly and supportive atmosphere enabled people to take a few risks they might not have at the very packed Howcroft last week.

Gordon Zola really cracked me up as usual- The Happiness Blues is fast becoming one of my faves. I am however, extremely glad that your guitar thingie (techincal term once again!) is from the US as I think Chris rather fancied getting himself one and our flat's far too small for that!

Katie Hague really blew me away again, you could have heard a pin drop whilst she was perfoming her poem about the homeless man forgotten and covered with other people's rubbish, both figuratively in life and literally in death. Chris picked her out as his favourite of the night too.

Peter Crompton performed two poems that I have read in Poetry Review but just reading them could never match up to seeing them performed, especially the last poem, such an energetic and powerful performance, and so many huge questions raised about how people can ever justify killing each other- amazing!

'Prize-winning' Gerry O'Gorman's poem about us 'poor' poets was really funny if a little ironic once Kim Haygarth let slip he'd just won £50 haha! Mine and Chris' suggestion was for future winners to get it put behind the Olde Boar's Head bar and share the good fortune!

I get more and more out of Seamus Kelly's poem about fox hunting every time I hear it. I really like socio-political stuff but not when it's to the extreme of being rammed down my throat and I though that his poem struck the perfect balance. Beginning softly, describing the foxes at play, building up to the actual hunt, then ending softly again, though sadly as I had the impression that these were a new generation of foxes that were too going to be killed. Plus I also really hate fox hunting- grr to poshies!

Finally, a huge thanks to everyone for not laughing when I sang! haha! (Maybe one day I will progress beyond 'every good boy deserves favour' and actually be able to put music to any of my songs, though I doubt it)!

We all did really well!

I enjoyed each and every one of you

Gemmas singing was angelic

Well that's the first and last time I'm ever going to be described as angelic! Thanks Pete :)