Poems, poems ... and more poems
On Thursday 28th November we invited the Lichfield Festival Young Critics to join us for an Evening with Michael Symmons Roberts. Here’s what they thought of the event.
Michael Symmons Roberts review:
The event was set in Lichfield cathedral which was beautifully decorated with poems, candles and feeling. Michael told us his life story-he went to oxford to study poetry and literature. During his performance Michael was very confident
One part of my favourite parts of the performance was when Michael talked about the importance of poetry and the festival; this was effective because he was really inspiring to the people in the room. Michael was a charming funny amazing person.
Michael started with the first poem but before he read it he told us the context of the poem and a little bit of what it was about. He read really confidently and I could really feel his love for poetry...every word was from the heart. When Michael recites his poetry he pronounces his words well and he looks at and engages the audience What surprised me was that when he read the poetry he had many different tones and I liked that, He has all of the qualities of a true performer.
Not only was the event a poetry reading but it was also a lesson about different kinds of poems e.g. sonnets, after talking about sonnets he moved on to talk about love poems. Michael gave the audience tips about how to write. He moved on to talk about 2002 when he had to write a poem for radio 4 about 911. He couldn't think of anything that hadn't been said so he wrote about the voicemails people left to their families before they died. He used phrases from the actual voices. I couldn't turn my head away when he was reading at this point since I found it so interesting and amazing.
Originally Michael wrote a book but his book gave him an idea for poem, the poem was about an imaginary Manchester (where he was from), the audience seemed to laugh at his jokes this is good ... most people looked like they were enjoying themselves which as a young critic flashes a green light in my head, it shows the performer is doing their job properly.
The ending of the performance I really liked... He ended with a love poem by the poet lawrette, there was a poem called "the vows" I absolutely loved it though the poem was only 15 lines which is short and sweet. At the end of the show the whole audience clapped together in unison, Michael had brought us together.
The show overall-I love it so much I think it was amazing and there isn't one thing that I'd change.
As a young critic I had the opportunity to interview Michael and I did.
Interview:
Do you have any tips to young writers that are inspired to write poetry but aren't sure how to start out in the industry??
He said " right well I would say, especially now I think there's a temptation because of social media and everything to think you need to start out in the industry and get followers and everything too early. I would say the most important thing is to get excited about the poems; read lots, write lots and don't worry too much about forms or learning techniques just try and make the shapes and patterns on the page. I went through years of constant writing and reading and writing and I didn't send anything out or in to anybody, so I would say do all that get captivated by it and then when you can't stop doing it and it doesn't matter whether anyone's seeing it or not that's the time to start sending it out because then you are doing it for its own sake. And then in response to your other question HOW DO YOU GET STARTED OUT? There are lots of competitions like this one there are also tons and tons of poetry magazines that will look at any post that is sent to them, they're not interested in what you've done they're interested in just the poem. You'll find the names of lots of them in the book called the writers and artist yearbook/ the writers and artists' handbook. I would say only go down that road when you're absolutely obsessed with writing the things and reading the things."
The Lichfield Festival Young Critics are made up of young writers aged 18 and under who are supported to attend events, meet artists and develop their skills in writing and journalism.