Alan McKean

Biography

A late starter, I started writing around 2001/2002, and largely write about what and who I see around me, trying to paint a picture using words, plus I have an interest in Lancashire dialect poetry. Have had some small success in print here and there : (Parameter , Boyne Berries, Delinquent, Scribble) Poet in residence Poets Letter April 2007 I have had a small collection posted on Todmorden Station's website"Poetry Platform", and have had pieces exhibited on Three Lights Gallery for haiku & tanka. Contribute occasionally to www.footballpoets.org Started performing my poetry about a number of years ago (thanks to Cartwheel Arts & WOL), and have managed to get 5 small collections onto Rochdale MBC's library catalogue and shelves. In January 2018 I launched my new website, which is a mixture of poems and photographs, with the emphasis on the poems - they do occasionally mix.

Samples

Dell Boy Quietly, in a world of his own, He finds a table seat For the journey home. He’s early, so his choice is wide. His seat, away from the sun, Gives him all he needs. His black suit, tightly buttoned, Matches the black case he carries. A permanent extension. A few minutes read, FT, Economist, Grauniad, And the case opens. His only true friend Is removed, And placed reverently on the table in front of him. Open Switch Communion Fingers dance over the keys, Their owner in his own world. Dell Boy is going home. Alone --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But I scored dad 8 - 1! What a result, A bit of a mess really We tried, But they were all over us And they were older And they were bigger And they were faster. We didn’t stand a chance. It was 3 – 0 at half time, And in the second half We might not as well been there. The goalie was injured We think the ref’s glasses were broken It was like that almost to the end Until that through ball. We got pasted But I scored dad! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside Out The interior cat Looks out At the exterior cat. The exterior cat Looks in At the interior cat. I’m wet, Said the exterior cat. You sure are, Said the interior cat, Smugly ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Deep Pocket Parliament Shanty (A shanty for modern day Pirates) Away, haul away We’ll haul to line our pockets Away haul away It’s what MPs do. We vote for or own payrise We’ll haul to line our pockets At ten percent ago It’s what MPs do. With gold plated pensions We’ll haul to line our pockets On the backs of the voters It’s what MPs do. Away, haul away We’ll haul to line our pockets Away haul away It’s what MPs do. We’re arrogant and pompous We’ll haul to line our pockets We don’t care a damn It’s what MPs do. It’s always do as we say We’ll haul to line our pockets And never as we do It’s what MPs do. Away, haul away We’ll haul to line our pockets Away haul away It’s what MPs do. With fact finding missions We’ll haul to line our pockets We copy Air Miles Tony, It’s what MPs do. We’ll stay on the gravy train We’ll haul to line our pockets Unending expenses It’s what MPs do. Away, haul away We’ll haul to line our pockets Away haul away It’s what MPs do

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.

Blog entries by Alan McKean

Manchester Morning (12/06/2011)

Kicking the leaves (09/01/2010)

Empty Windows (22/10/2009)

City Canal (22/10/2009)

Lares et panates (22/10/2009)

Deep Pocket Parliamentary Shanty (A song for modern day pirates) (04/05/2009)

Blog link: https://www.writeoutloud.net/blogs/alanmckean