Waiting for Godden: Poem: every disaster movie begins with the government ignoring a scientist

every disaster movie

begins with the government

ignoring a scientist

every

disaster movie‬

begins with

the government

ignoring the signs -

the barking dog

the flight of birds

the stomach contents

of a dead whale

rising temperature

the colour of the rain water

a woman speaking

any woman speaking

the enlightened being

the poet, the artist

the prophecy

the writing on the wall

the lyrics of songs

the child's nightmares

the poor and the sick

and the vulnerable

every disaster

has everyone ignoring

the homeless person

crying for change.

NEW work performed at LIVEwire:

Verve Poetry Festival

Birmingham Hippodrome,

watch here > youtube

Spring is springing. . .

Hello there, how are you doing?

I'm sending this from my writing cave.

I'm up and writing at 4am most mornings, busy working on new projects

This isn't self-isolation, just my writing process, just hibernation

And all will be revealed soon soon soon...

Here's five spring gigs to keep us on our toes and to share new work.

Includes two shows to smash the Smashing It book and two with Rough Trade Books

Be safe. Come along if you can... xxsg

UPDATE: SORRY! ALL OF MY GIGS ARE CANCELLED FOR NOW. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU CAN. CHECK IN ON THE ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE, YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURS. STAY INFORMED. BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU SHARE ONLINE, TRY NOT TO SHARE MISLEADING MISINFORMATION. BE KIND. BE AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLES FEAR AND CONCERNS - JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL SAFE, REMEMBER OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AS FIT OR STRONG OR FEEL AS SAFE AS YOU. DONATE TO FOOD BANKS IF YOU CAN. AVOID CROWDS. SHOP LOCAL. PLAY IT SAFE. READ GOOD BOOKS TO AID STRONG MENTAL HEALTH. GROW YOUR OWN POTATOES IN A BUCKET. MUSIC IS GOOD FOR YOU, LISTEN TO ALL YOUR OLD VINYL. MAKE SOUP.

WASH YOUR HANDS.