For the final session of Poetry at the Fringe for 2019 it was all open-mic, no special guests – no music, no theme – it was all about the regular attendees, with, as always, a few first-timers or long-time watchers, first-time readers.

It was a fantastic line-up. Maybe the best open-mic run of the year. Some 20 readers in two sessions.

A highlight, for me, anyway, was hearing Rachel McAlpine – she delivered a great poem, from an upcoming 2020 volume, her return after, as she put it, “many years away in IT darkness” – she also gave a short speech addressing what a great year it had been for poetry. She was right of course.

There were heartfelt ballads, political poems, humour, haiku – such a range.

I read three of mine. Pretty sure they were all new to being read aloud: The Bruce Springsteen Grinning Statue Show, Walking In Memphis and Chasing A Dying Breeze.

It was such a nice vibe – this session. A really great range of works, or people, of styles.

It’s been a good year at the Fringe – apart from missing the winter months I was there from March and to read any of the past recaps you can click here.

Guests have not been announced yet but the first session for 2020 is at 4pm, the usual time – at the same place – Sunday, February 9.
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