Word Central: Open Mic/George Melling Book Launch
WORD CENTRAL
a semaphore-exploding mind-flow
open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry
With very special guest George Melling
Author of I’m Having the Rhyme of My Life
George came to poetry late in life, following the death of his wife, Alwyn, and his son, Stephen. Clasped tightly within the bosom of his poetry family, he has blossomed as a poet, a performer, an actor, and a scribe of enormous gentleness, subtlety and genuine laugh-out-loud humour. This is his second collection, the first being a CD of 12 poems, Th’Owd Chap, the proceeds of which are donated to Wigan and Leigh Hospice.
Covering such wide-ranging themes as unsolicited phone calls, foraging for magic mushrooms (yes, you read that right), and the perils of trying to find teacakes in the supermarket
this collection shines a bright and honest light on the indignities, vulnerabilities, aches, pains and gallows humour of old age. Nothing is spared from its focus, not even the forensic inspection of ‘Ode to a Number Two’.
In live performance, George can have a whole roomful of people rocking with laughter, and in the blink of an eye, reduce them to tears. This translates perfectly on to the page. Employing all of the emotions to brilliant effect, these poems/stories take sharp turns, and very often pull the rug from beneath your feet when least expected. He possesses a deft touch with humour and poignancy, and is not shy at showing the reader just how precious, and vicious, human life and death can be.
Gathering the world around him in a big warm hug of inclusion, even “fatty blackbird” who “shits on mi wall”, he acknowledges the terrible deprivations of displaced people everywhere, and is thankful for the small stuff.
From the Aberfan disaster to his beloved Wigan rugby games, the unimaginable grief of losing his only son and beloved wife bleeds into many of the poems, and we are shown the absolute necessity of love, encouragement and support to the frailty of human life.
As with all of the other titles related to Flapjack Press, this collection is beautifully put together, with a matte cover, excellent photography from Sharon Lowe and Steven Derbyshire, and perfect typesetting. It is a joy to hold and read.
The open mic is now full
To get your name on the reserve list email [email protected]
NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes maximum
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In association with Flapjack Press and Manchester Library & Information Service
