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Alex Oliver's avatar

I also see it in the shitty eyes of the jealous. Me, I never harumph at people getting shopping lists published/prize winning when my sophistry is casually swept aside. Joking aside I can’t be doing with open mics. I’m not scared of criticism, but neither am I an ambitiously socially inclusive or desperate maker of opportunity to want to eagerly wait my turn then ignore subsequent wafflers with a snooty arm fold. Come that as it may, the official and competition/publishing works see me as scum. Not quite a mutual feeling; just that I’ve always been a round twxt in a square hole. Who refuses to lie to himself. I interviewed a lass recently who said “I don’t know a poet who doesn’t want to be alone. Santé. Yamas. Prosit mein kliene bloomer. Here am though, not quite alone in anthology paradise; starbecked, figtreed and sixtyodder. And instead of pushing myself (urgh) my biggest delight is in what interviewees say. To me, the open mic is whatever art form a bumsonseats manouvre, though I get it can be sociable. Not egotistically gratifying though. I should write this article maybe instead of shitting on Mike’s shoulders….

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Shit on me shoulders bruv. Mecks me look like Nelson innit.

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Jim Murdoch's avatar

I have a similar collection that's never seen the light of day: 'Ars(e) Poetica.' I guess most artists go through a period of wondering if there's any point to or good in what they're doing but can't stop. I went through a dry spell that lasted three years and thought that was me but there was no relief in that. I kept scribbing shite in notebooks, books I still have, and then one day, out of the blue, I wrote two novels back to back that weren't shite. I guess I just needed to clear the tubes.

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Anjie Wastling's avatar

Really enjoyed this looking forward to next one

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Thank you :)

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John Wolf's avatar

Can I nick it, just joking

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

I would love it if you did, as long as you followed the rules - Not actually saying that it is one of your own, but saying nothing at all to suggest that its not. And also as long as you tell me about it afterwards :)

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Philip Dawson-Hammond's avatar

This is extremely entertaining Mike, and I can identify with it big-bucks....!!

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Thats a relief - sometimes I think that I'm the only one!

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