Poem a Month – June 2016
As it's Priscilla's last month with us she has chosen a poem about the joy of sharing books and reading. This poem was written by Matt Black during his time as Derbyshire Poet Laureate . Matt created the poem from all the wonderful entries we received for our Book Chat writing competition when reading groups were asked to tell us what was special to them about their group. - Ali
The poem sums up many of the best experiences I've shared with Derbyshire readers over the last 16 years. It reminds me of the importance of reading in my own life and that of countless others. Working with the Derbyshire Poets Laureate has always been a highlight so this poem seems a particularly apt way to say goodbye. - Priscilla
Bookchat Villanelle
We always air our views with real zest.
In sitting-rooms and libraries, readers on the rampage -
wine, cake, conversation, and winter nights are best.
It opens up our minds, and every book’s a quest.
Down dark lanes with Dickens, and tales from every age,
we always air our views with real zest.
Fun, friendship, laughter, though sometimes we’re possessed -
we’ve argued over Shakespeare, IS all the world a stage?
Wine, cake, conversation, and winter nights are best.
It’s like therapy, a life-line, we get things off our chest.
We don’t like them all, we’ve been known to rant and rage -
we always air our views with real zest.
Horizons broadened, soul-food, stories from East and West,
we’re made to step outside our comfort zone, that cage.
Wine, cake, conversation, and winter nights are best.
A good old chat, smiles, open Julie’s next request,
slants of sunlight fall across the page.
If you haven’t read the book, it’s a night out and a rest.
Wine, cake, conversation, and winter nights are best.
by Matt Black
(Derbyshire Poet Laureate, 2011-2013)
A villanelle is a nineteen-line poem with two repeating rhymes and two refrains. If you'd like to find out more visit the Poetry Archive (http://www.poetryarchive.org/glossary/villanelle) website or the Academy of American Poets website (https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/villanelle).
If you enjoy talking about books there are a few Book Cafe events coming up over the next few months including a Derbyshire themed discussion at South Normanton Library on Tuesday 7th June at 10.30am. No need to book - all welcome. Visit the Derbyshire Libraries (http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/events/default.asp) events page for more details or checkout our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DerbyshireLibraries).