Mark Atkinson

Biography

Hi, whoever you are! I'm a writer and poet. Originally from Blackpool, I've lived in Wales for about twelve years. I started writing at quite an early age, but over the last four or so years I've amassed a fair body of poetry, some of which has been published in various places. I started attending an evening poetry class a few years ago, and ended up convincing the other members that it'd be a good idea for us to put on an evening of poetry at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Studio Space. That went down well, so I decided to start up my own poetry 'collective' under the moniker of Planet Poetika! Myself and five other poets completely sold out The Studio...I've been in BANDS that generated less of a crowd! I'm now in the process of organising PP2! It's going to be a slightly paired-down version of the first event, but this time with live music thrown into the mix...nice!

Samples

The Loners’ Club Every night I chair a meeting where the members number one. I share my thoughts and feelings 'til my cup of coffee’s gone. I thought of advertising; once put a poster in the pub. But no-one seemed inclined to join the Loners’ Club It’s hard to hold a meeting when you’re the only person there. When everybody hates your guts, condemns and judges when you share. I considered tele-conferencing but I was scared I’d get a snub. It’s so hard being founder-member of the Loners’ Club. Some people call me misfit, some people say I’m strange. I’d like to see them do my job, with all I’ve to arrange. There’s literature and pamphlets, I even collect the subs. Yes, it’s a full time occupation in the Loners’ Club. So if you’d like to join us loners, the membership is free. All you need’s an empty life. You too can live like me! We can go on separate outings, watch our flats become the hub of thriving isolation. That’s the Loners’ Club.

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