Rob Baylis

Biography

A spasmodic poet since secondary school, I have never tried to get work published. I also had a song-writing period and won the first Cambridge Band contest in 1985 (see 1 minute appearance on Whistle Test at ). In recent years, my poetic spasms have increased to an almost constant flow on subjects ranging through nature, the landscape, the plight of food animals, climate change and my personal life. This is despite no formal background in literature or creative writing. My master’s degree is in environmental policy and I am a Chartered Environmentalist. As one of the main organisers of the 2015 Alternatiba Todmorden Festival of climate alternatives, I conceived and undertook most of the organisation of the successful Poetic Alternatiba Todmorden event with five featured poets and popular open mic sessions. See https://alternatiba.eu/todmorden/ I perform my poetry regularly at open mics in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire.

Samples

Ramsons When Wild Rose Dene weeps winter’s greasy sleep, the waxing ramsons sketch their lips with jade. Star-white flowers burst like fireworks in the shade, their garlic breath teasing beneath the trees. This springtime scent plays jigs around my feet: a birthday treat for me, its lifetime slave, to dry my dampened mood and make me brave enough to skim thin stones at mind disease. In May, the waning ramsons quit my food. They could be back next year, but maybe not; no more destined than a bee sting in June. This fool may search in vain to be amused but ramsons in my thoughts will never rot until I too have dropped, have been removed.

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

Blog entries by Rob Baylis

It’s another failed day on Northern Rail (04/12/2019)

Pickles at dawn: The Ballad of Mustard Pickle (12/06/2016)

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