As I walked to this event at 9pm I passed a young Birkenhead woman wearing the traditional local dress (pyjamas) as she entered an off-licence. I thought about writing a poem about that, but it is such a commonplace sight in these parts I didn't bother.

I did, however, enjoy this well-established poetry night (Wirral Ode Show). It is an open-mic session in a lovely, blowsy backstreet boozer.

Behind a velvety curtain, in a long, confortable room, compere and founder of the group, the marvellous Jason Richardson, ran the evening with the assurance and good humour of the old pro that he is.

Performing on the night were (well, I didn't take notes as I wasn't intending to post a review); Dermot Glennon, Malpoet, Jason himself (though I missed that cos I arrived late), Michelle (a regular here and excellent), Liam (a Liverpool-based poet), and Maria (very good, full of symbolic imagery and beautfully expressed emotion), and, er, moi (I told a joke as well as doing a few poems). Sorry if I've missed anyone out.

After the event, me and three poets who didn't read on the night (Ieaun, Ray and Glenn) went off for late drinks in a pub in New Brighton that I call Hell's Waiting Room.

Talking of the fabulous Magic Realism place that is New Brighton, don't forget folks that our Bards of New Brighton open mic night is on at the beautiful, ancient riverside pub, the Magazine, on Monday 13 April, starting 8pm. Newcomers are welcome, and you get to use our famous golden bards lectern. It's a free event.

And on Tuesday 24 March, it is the Wirral Words open mic poetry at the Scouse House in downtown Birkenhead, starting at 8pm. You can come in your jim-jams if you like ... just be sure to do the fly up.