Biography

Examples of my writing are scattered across the Internet and more than a handful of charity anthologies as well as in an Annual of a national magazine. I have also run a Sci-Fi group and edited its magazine. As Al Barz I've performed many poems, often with keyboard or self-composed backing tracks, at many venues including the lamented Birmingham Arts Fest and Mello Festival. Headlined at various gigs, won a poetry slam, been part of a singing duo and a poetry quartet, organised large and small music and poetry events, and acted on over a dozen stages across the country as well as a film and a TV ad. An album is still available to download from iTunes, from years ago! - Leandra (And Other Mishaps) by Al Barz https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/leandra-and-other-mishaps/453818521 Strangely, my first book and Kindle collection, around 150 pieces, was released on 1st May 2018. Available from me or from Amazon. Cacophony of Stardust through Burdizzo Bards/Books. Available on Amazon or email me for a signed copy. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cacophony-Stardust-Al-Barz-ebook/dp/B07CL45N51 And now I'm running two monthly gigs again for 2019. Look for Spoke - in The Lamp - at Brownhills Community Centre, and RAIL - at the Railway Inn, in Pelsall.

Samples

Two samples. The first a straight poem "I Love To Look At Twenty-five" the second a YouTube video of "Don't Walk" using GarageBand on the iPad. ______________________________ I love to look at twenty-five although it's not for me twenty-five is something I'd quite not rather be but I love to gaze at twenty-five whistfully knowing how I wasted it - or it wasted me The world was not my oyster as I'd cracked the pearl and ate it all and, sated, fell Into a hell of mediocrity when I was twenty-three But take me back to forty-one the shell was cracked and there was fun recapturing lost years and lives when looking back on twenty-fives (I love to look at twenty-fives) ______________________________ Don't Walk

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