Year in review

 

This year has been crazy,

I've barely stopped, so many new things,

new ideas, new experiences.

So many pathways opening up.

My words have been flowing

like a broken tap.

I have written more

In this last year

than at any other time.

Over 750 poems so far!

And I'd even go as far as saying

one or two of them are good!

 

I thank my muse for visiting me.

As a writer sometimes

we need to just say thank you,

when the words come because

we don't always know

when they will be there,

where they come from,

but when they appear,

like a thin wash of rain

glistening upon the ground

on a still day

it’s always a gift

and one I appreciate

more than I can say.

 

So, this year...

I found myself taking over

a poetry night along

with the brilliant Carolina,

Get Mouthy, in my home city of Leicester.

We wanted to create something

that felt unique to us, a place that

was about community and friendship.

Making people feel comfortable and welcomed

to take the mic and enjoy the experience.

We wanted people that were new,

to share the stage with people

who had done the circuits,

so that everyone feels

like they are learning both

about each other and about the work.

 

And so far, it has

got bigger each month.

New faces joining each time,

people that had never taken the mic,

or didn't see themselves as poets

are now starting their own journeys.

It is a truly beautiful feeling.

We did a joint hosting event

alongside our friends at FluentInBoth,

as part of Nottingham Hockley Hustle,

making money for local charities

and showcasing some Leicester talent

over in our neighbouring city, and I am so

proud of the poets we took over there.

Each shone so brightly.

 

I have been lucky

to meet lots of new people, both in real life

and through the Internet,

So many brilliant talented people.

Who inspire me every single day,

To be a better person, to be a better writer

And to keep doing what I try to do.

I love to

hear their stories

and enjoy their journeys.

As a person that really

struggles with connecting with people,

and being able to feel

comfortable in groups,

this year has pushed me so hard,

but has given so many rewards.

Co-running Get Mouthy

has brought me so much joy,

being able to get some people

onto our stage who I absolutely love,

and forming a little family of poets

who are all learning, thriving

and developing each month

Is a truly beautiful thing.

 

I look forward to next year,

and in hearing lots of new people

and hopefully getting some more

amazing talent to take our stage.

 

Books this year started with

Torn Pages in February.

This was a collection of poems

that are only available in book form.

I was very lucky; in that I found a lot of poems that

I'd never published on my blog or in books.

Over 100 pieces that I found whilst going.th4ough my notes

and after tidying them up

I found myself really liking them, and making me question

why I hadn't put them out before.

 

At the same time I was putting together

Torn pages I was also rewriting my 2019

video game history book.

It now flows a lot smoother

and is more streamlined,

looking and feeling much better.

 

Around May I released another collection of horror themed poetry

"Endless Nightmares", which was a sort of

spiritual successor to "In Shadows" 

Which I am really proud of,

it has darkness and light

Mostly in the right places.

It is creepy but with heart, I hope.

 

As we got closer to October

I thought it was time for my

last book of the year*

"Carpe Noctem",

this book is a look at night,

dreams, love,

as well as hurt and nightmares.

I really enjoyed this one, hence flooding Instagram,

 Facebook and YouTube with videos.

Hopefully it has that dreamlike quality,

and takes you on a journey through night.

Realistic Poetry International

said this was my best collection yet!

Emphasis on the yet.

I have high hopes for next year!

 

*So yeah, last book of the year...

That kinda went out of the window when I decided

to put out my first piece of fiction.

"Midnight tales 1: Arty's Tale"

This is a look at loss and grief,

told through my slightly* warped Lense.

A modern horror story told in a slightly poetic way.

It's the first in hopefully

many 'short' stories.

*Okay completely messed up brain

 

I was also invited to do a

headline set over at Some-Antics,

which was an honour.

Some-Antics holds a special place in my heart,

it was where I started to develop my work,

and where I first took the mic.

(After a very long time saying

that I was never going to do that!)

So, to do a feature was a real treat.

Got to take my mum

so, she got to see me doing what I do!

 

If I was to list every poet that had

a massive impact on me this year

I'd be here all day, but here

are just a handful along

with all of our regulars at Get Mouthy

and Some-Antics

I was lucky enough to make a video

for the amazing Sharena Lee Satti,

seriously give her books a read.

I absolutely love her work, the way

she is trying to give voices to people

and getting people to fall in love with Poetry.

I've also read Jemima Hughes second collection

which was stunning. Highly recommended,

both a brilliant writer and performer,

and in sharing her work she makes us men

ask some serious questions about ourselves,

which we all really need to listen to.

Honestly great work.

Got to do a workshop with the legend

John Agard, which was truly eye opening,

really makes you look at your work differently,

as did the workshop by Nottingham based

Chris Oliver, who is so clever and meaningful

with his wordplay, I was blown away by the amount

of little details he puts into each piece.

A true wordsmith.

 

I want to thank everyone l

that has been there this year,

from the unsung heroes

like my mum and brother

who have to put up with me

on an almost constant basis.

(Believe me I am a nightmare.

Once I start talking

there is no stopping me!)

 

I want to thank all

of the poetry nights in Leicester,

you all do such amazing work

and it's a privilege to be able

to come to your nights

and call you friends.

Special mention to

Sammy at Some-Antics

who has always been my

biggest supporter, and I may

have bankrupted him with my

constant need to be working

on a new book!

 

To all of the poets, I love all of you.

We have such a growing scene

here in Leicester, full of different

styles, people and stories.

Getting to hear all of it is an honour.

Getting to share some of it

is an even bigger honour.

Special mentions

to all of the people that have

become part of our get Mouthy family!

You all make me so happy

on the second Monday of the month,

when I'm panicking that

this will be the time it falls apart,

then you all show up and remind me how amazing you all are.

All of the headliners that we have booked.

And obviously Carolina,

who makes the night work

so effortlessly whilst managing

to Juggle a camera and a mic,

producing some amazing video work

and photography at the same time!

(Blows my mind, I'm struggling to get

a few words in the correct order

and you are juggling

all of these different things!)

 

I have also been lucky enough

to get to some great gigs this year,

by bands on the unglamorous project.

And I would recommend anyone

that likes punky rock music

to keep an eye on these amazing women.

 

However, the year has been

plagued with horrible news.

The Tory party is intent on causing

hurt, pain and division.

It seems like every week

they are announcing more and more

things that are only to make people

struggle, to create fear, to give

rise to racism, homophobia, transphobia,

and division. We need to stand united

against this in the new year.

Let's be better.

Accept everyone,

be love and kindness. Don't accept the hate.

 

And obviously we have what

is happening in Palestine.

We need to keep raising our voices.

Showing the atrocities, keep sharing

what is really happening.

The UK government doesn’t speak

for most of us, as they keep abstaining

from calls for a ceasefire.

We must keep shouting.

 

To those that celebrate Christmas

I wish you a merry Christmas,

to those that don't I wish you all

the love and hope for the rest of the year,

I wish for peace and a future

that we can all be proud of.

I love you all.

 

Peace, Love & Poetry

Kyle

 

Oh, is that the time,

sorry seems

I rambled on a bit long.

Its 2024

must have missed new year!