quotes of the month
and did you get what you wanted from this life even so?
i did.
and what did you want
to call myself beloved
to feel myself beloved on the earth.
Raymond Carver (late fragment)
B is for
…Breath
Words are shaped breath – air interwoven with larynx, lips, teeth and tongue to create sounds, language, recognisable, translatable (or not) to others. . . . As I continued to write and deepen my understanding of poetry, the breath developed into a tool and a touchstone: a sign of life in a stanza that worked, or a certificate of death in one that stayed flat, inert on the page. I enjoyed reading my poems aloud, sharing the way they sounded in my head with anyone who cared to listen. . . .(from Linda France’s Startlings on Substack)
vernal equinox Poet’s Way on zoom
Day and night will be around the same length. Balance & Poise with Poetry.
When: Mar 19, 2025 07:00 PM – UK time
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/U6Gm76ZfR6iRcKA2ZQDoIgAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Please have a Spring poem ready to screen share, your own or a favorite published poem. The evening will include a guided meditation and small appreciation groups for close reading of poems.
New Moon Writing Hour with Linda France
New Moon Writing Hour Friday 28th February 4pm
Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. Here’s the zoom link
I also recommend Linda’s Startlings.
The Poet’s Way 2025 – 2nd March 5:15pm.
2025 dates: 30th March, 4th May, 1st June, 6th July, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December. Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS),
The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & enhance our spiritual practice. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated. Also please bring writing materials and vege food-to-share during a comfort break. Our programme includes a guided meditation inspired by poetry, and small groups for close reading and appreciation of poetry.
St Mungos Mirrorball
since I’m a member and several authors in PSP are or have been members – click on the link above for the latest poetry events in Glasgow. Wherever you are in the world, you can tune in to Mirrorball Poetry events on zoom.
At a recent Mirrorball event, I listened to Pádraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Glasgow poet Laureate Jim Carruth. I recommend Pádraig’s book 44 poems on Being with Each Other. His short essays about each poem are the closest close-readings I’ve ever encountered.
Jacqueline Smith – sad news
Jacqueline Smith, struggled with MS for some time, she died a few days ago. If you don’t know Jacqueline, click on her name above to find out more about her rich contribution to literature. The funeral will be a private affair, with a celebration of her life at a future time. A brilliant and inspiring writer, a friend to many, mother and grandmother. . . .author, artist & homeopath etc. Polymath. Former chair of the Scottish Writers’ Centre. If you’re on facebook, Jacqueline posted a treasure horde of gems.
i.m. Gerry Loose
On the 30th January Gerry’s last book without title was launched at the Street Level Gallery in Glasgow. Prior to the launch the four of us reading agreed that we would only read Gerry’s words. We had received several requests from folk wanting to read their own tribute poems. We said “no for now”. In late May, there will be an memorial event including a renga and reading, likely in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens where Gerry was poet-in-residence for a few years, and has left a legacy of installations carved in stone. Exact date and venue tbc. The event will be in collaboration with Lapidus Scotland, The Scottish Writers’ Centre, and the Glasgow Botanic Garden. More information in PSP March news.
Bringing Mindfulness to Life
PSP published Ratnadevi’s book Bringing Mindfulness to Life in 2022, and the second edition is now nearly out-of-print, still available as an e-book. Her next book is in the making, accumulating material through writing a monthly column for Buddhist Global Door which has the same title as the book. Ratnadevi’s writing is often based on her own everyday life experiences, including family and groups where she leads meditation. If you’d like to contribute to her research, you might enjoy attending her drop-in: “moving into stillness” every third Tuesday evening of the month, 7-9 pm online 18 Feb, 18 Mar, 15 Apr, 20 May, 17 June . . . (click on link above for more details): “If there is a thread running through my work, it is trying to convey, in a playful manner, a sense of awareness, and presence.” Ratnadevi
“Play is training for the real thing. But the real thing is also play.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
PlaySpace Publications 