Micro v Macro: The Small v The Large

For any long term readers coming back here today, I want to thank you first of all. You have sustained an ego bursting at the seams, a voice of a poet wanting to break out of the box. You've probably also gathered by now that I hold strong feelings towards certain aspects of politics, that I am a vegan and that I have tried to adopt something of a 'be the change' attitude towards life. If you hadn't picked that up, maybe re-read some of my poems. 


Last week the link to our blog was tweeted by the poetry society. I have a hard on for the poetry society and for all the effort they put in to develop access and sustainability for it as a genre. My father also read my blog last week, which somehow meant more. 


As a union man, one of the things that seems to have etched its way from his mind to mine is the idea of the small, individual piece coming together as a much bigger force for the good. This is not a political blog and I don't want a debate about strike action and so on, there are plenty of sites elsewhere for that. The point is that be it in forcing action (or simply consultation), spreading the word for events or just sharing ideas and openly debating things, the force of the many together is often paramount to the success. 


The EDL attempted to form a united European league recently and were outnumbered by incredibly well mobilised anti-fascist protestors. The powers that be are pushing forwards with draconian surveillance measures that will change the lives of most UK internet users and, as sure as eggs is eggs, the Home Office website became a target for hackers over the last week- again the power of the many. 


So what does this have to do with poetry, I hear you ask. Well, I am simply putting it out there to see what you feel the world of poetry could do for people. My father was harping on to me about poetry this week, which was astonishing, and I feel I may have indoctrinated him with it sometime. A customer in the shop was asking why a conservatory tax was fair this morning. I simply mentioned to him that a tax on anything wasn't necessarily fair, but perhaps it is fairer to tax those who can afford to extend their houses than those who can only just heat it. It was, of course, a Daily Mail headline that prompted him and I think then that the message should this. If a cesspool of newpapers can influence public thought, why can't the lyrical, astute, poets amongst us. With twitter, social media and even boat races to contend with as platforms for spreading messages and ideas, perhaps now is the time for poetry to reach out. 


The musicians have had their shot at it, the papers are more than just untrusted these days and so, in times of tough support from the top, writing is as important as ever. When I think of early England, I think Beowulf. When I think of the Elizabethans, I think of Shakespeare and any knowledge I really have held onto about the Middle Ages comes from Chaucer's  characatured monks and vagrants. The past has been documented and we have held on to the best descriptions. I encourage you all then to take up your pens. Our next event is just 11 days away and with the theme of 'Jeremy Kyle' to get stuck into, I am looking forward to hearing the many various voices our window on society will inspire. Maybe, just maybe, I'll have something new to read myself there. 


Cheers for reading, 
S. 


PS I've been doing Napowrimo this month. In an attempt to broaden my horizons and material, I am going to try looking at five or six new poems or artworks every day. Just thought I'd share the method I'm taking, as a warning that there may be some different stuff on the way from me in the coming weeks and also as an alternative if Ashley's three little word scheme from Saturday runs dry.