I'm ready to write

After hearing the final cultural exchange event I planned to go to had a change of time I was disappointed I couldn't end my week on feeling, once again, inspired. Looking back, though, seeing both Michael Heller and the Postgraduate students read some of their work was beyond motivating.

From a man with a hefty publication count to students just embarking on their creative writing careers my enthusiasm for writing has only expanded.  There’s something both comforting and exciting about seeing how writing can bring together not only different generations, but can expand around the world; to witness the diverse fanatics of the literary art with my own eyes was enthralling.

All I can say is I’m ready to write.

Laura Jones

At home in New York

Despite the large lecture theatre, Michael Heller's reading felt very personal - almost as though we were being read his private thoughts  This feeling made the occasion quite special.  

 

The poems, from different stages in Heller's life, had a real home sense, especially as Heller cited places in New York that he was familiar with and thought of as home. He also told us about his family and life and dedicated a number of poems to friends who had recently passed away.

This intimacy made the reading very enjoyable and I feel that, even though I wasn't previously familiar with his work, I now know a lot about Michael Heller - and, after hearing his poems, I plan on buying his book very soon! 

Charlotte Bland

Brief encounter, and a question that remains

I love elevators; when my legs refuse to climb even a flight of stairs let alone three, they are my salvation.  On my way to listen to American writer, Michael Heller, I decided to take the elevator to save time and locate a good seat.

The metal doors begin to close and quickly enters Simon Perril, a lady and another man. I greeted Simon, knowing him from lectures and smiled at the lady. The man on the other hand, said 'Hello' and smiled and I smiled back. It was a kind smile, sincere and warming in the confined space of 5 bodies so close and unacquainted. He reminded me of Seamus Heaney in his appearance and was well dressed from head to toe in suit trousers and a cotton jumper, and glasses without frames.

It wasn't till I entered the lecture theatre where the man and I split ways and I took my chair while he stood at the front and was introduced as 'Michael Heller', that I felt ashamed and ignorant for not realising who he was.

But as he began to read his poetry, with his accent accentuating the tone of his crafted words, I didn't feel so bad any more. I relaxed. I listened and appreciated that the kind stranger with a sweet smile who I once knew nothing of, was offering the audience his perceptions from years of experience.  I sat back to enjoy his words and take from them what meaning they conveyed to me.

In 'Without Ozymandias' there is a line that says, 'Who finds the pedestal, finds the poem'; I was too shy to ask what it meant. 

Instead, I'm still wondering as I write this, what it means. Today brought me a brief encounter as well as a Cultural Exchange.

Raquel Edwards

"Don't buy one, buy two"

Before I started the course, I had no interest in poetry. I thought it was something that was full of flowery nonsense, but after studying it properly for the first term, I love it. This made the decision to go and see Michael Heller a very easy one indeed.

He's written about 20 volumes of poetry, memoirs, essays and novellas - much more than I'd ever aspire to create. 

 

He started off with a gentle joke encouraging us to buy his book, "Don't buy one, buy two - in case the first gets nicked!" This created a comfortable environment for the audience and, along with his calm American accent, it was perfect for an evening of poetry.

He was animated and willing to tell stories, before his poems, about friends such as Harvey Shapiro who have passed away, and his Jewish upbringing. He allowed his life as a teacher of English as a second language influence him, as well as his family members - in particular there was a poem he wrote to his uncle as a birthday present. 

His use of imagery was creative. It wasn't the same clichéd ideas used so many times before, but new images which were unusual for his subject matter. He spoke about, art, landscapes, politics; but I wasn't ever sidetracked or uninterested, his views were always different and explained. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole hour, and intend to buy his latest collection of poems.

Abigail Barter

When there's no free food, grab the politician (but he's off)

Cultural Exchanges ... my first thoughts were of events from around the world. I imagined myself listening to music from India, watching African dancing and eating large amounts of FREE Chinese and Japanese food.

It was not to be. In the absence of a culinary feast, I decided my best bet would be a book launch and a talk from Rohan Silva, who is a policy advisor to the Prime Minister. Politics is a keen interest of mine. Alas, the talk has been cancelled.
 
The two book launches I've booked look pretty interesting too. Matt Carr's book is about the mass purges of Muslims from Spain from the 15th to the 17th century while American Michael Heller is launching his Collected Poems. Both should be interesting and I'd like to talk to each author about the process of putting a book together.

 The Rohan Silva event would have been right up my street. As for the rest, I guess I'll just mingle and let it sink in. The atmosphere of the week is sure to be good.


Guy J.H Bezant

American poet leaves the museum

My friends know I already have a busy schedule of eating, sleeping and thinking.  They also know I love poetry - a lot.

So next Monday at 6.00 I'll be attending a reading by American poet Michael Heller.  I'm pretty excited.

I looked up a few of his poems and one in particular struck me.  It's called 'Leaving the Museum' and it's amazing.

Michael, I await your reading with high expectations -and I apologise in advance for the weird questions I may ask you afterwards. 

Eloise Cundill