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Poetry in London
by John Stiles

Expat poet and filmmaker John Stiles gives us a peek at the poetry scene in London, England.

John's books include Scouts Are Cancelled and The Insolent Boy. John's documentary films have appeared on MuchMusic and in international film festivals. He currently lives in the UK where he does God-only-knows-what and represents Canada.

'Some of the best poets are crazy,' so says Carl Dhiman, a 37 year-old poet from Leicester who hosts one of the premiere open mike nights in London. The event, held at the Poetry Cafe on Betterton Street in Covent Garden every Tuesday from 7pm is called Poetry Unplugged and is a showcase for up-and-coming poets, performers and musicians from England, Europe and North America.

As an Emcee, the goateed Dhiman is equal parts huckster and showman, friendly with the poets who sit in the confines of the bar while quick to shout downstairs and remind the waiting perfomers that 'Poetry Unplugged will start in Five Minutes.' Dhimans voice is memorable, like hearing a grandfather yell down the orchard to see if the dog is there.

There is an energy and optimism about the night and the writers who are attracted to the event range from literary editors from London's The Wolf, to standup comics, 'poetry virgins' and publishers of chapbooks such as Polka Dot Ceiling. The night is professionally run and occasionally camera crews or student productions from local universities are there to record
the events. The night is also professionally run in the sense that that poets have to pay to perform. The cost is two pounds fifty or about six dollars Canadian. Says Dhiman, 'As a host I love it. You remember where you were: You needed that platform.'

Todd Swift, an expatriate Canadian from Montreal is an accomplishes poet. He is also the foreign editor of Matrix Magazine, and recently edited the poetry anthology 100 Poets Against The War. Swift is heavily active in the International poetry scene and promotes writers from many countries. After nearly six years in Budapest and Paris, Swift now calles London home. Ironically it was a poet from his home turf of Montreal who gave Swift the inspiration to help nurture and promote international poetry. 'Welcome to the world of the anthologist,' said Gary Geddes to Swift, 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride.'

As an expatriate Canadian with a world view it is Swifts' belief that people felt that Canadian poetry was a short street not worth going down. 'British people have to wake up to Canadian poetry,' says Swift. Swift mentions Michael Schmidt who last year edited the Harvill Book of 20th Century Poetry. Not one Canadian poet was represented. How about the International
success of Christian Bok? I counter. Swift adds, 'Language Genius.' When I mention that poets have to pay to perform at Poetry Unplugged Swift is surprised. Having been a performance poet himself and having hosted a poetry event in Montreal which was called 'Brechtian' by the Globe and Mail, Swift tells me that 'people should pay poets to perform.It shouldn't be the other way round.'

Dhiman, who graduated from the university of Leicester and came upon poetry after a school teacher noted a talent for writing, has travelled and performed in places such as the Austin International Poetry Festival and has performed in New York and appeared on the BBC. Now he works at The Poetry Society and performs in a band, part time. He adds somwhat
comically. 'These page poets are a dull as dishwater.' He contests 'Poets are lonely. Interest in poetry is a minority interest. There is academic superiority as well. People say I don't want to go to a gig - there might be a nutter there.'

Dhiman admits he took some time off from poetry from 1990 - 1996 but came back from the scene in 1996 and considers some of the acts he saw in London 'amazing'. He says performers didn't care what people thought and they were brilliant: Tim Gibbard. MC Gabber. Rob Gee. Lucy English. However outside of the community, these are hardly household names are they? Dhiman sighs and offers. 'It's about money isn't it? In the music business there is more money so people will write about these things because they are paid to.'

Adds Dhiman, 'Some of the best poets are crazy. (They have) less inhibitions and they are far less intense about their emotions. But there is a danger of becoming a court jester. However the thing about being a performance poet is that you can approach them after a performance. I'd rather talk to people who don't like my poetry. You listen or hit them.'

While Swift is a fan of older poets such as Philip Larkin, he advocates a broad church openess to poetry and this is represented in his Fusion poetry anthologies. However he says, 'Modern poets are in danger of simply showing off to one another. Are poets becoming circus freaks who've forgotten their audience? However Swift feels that this is changing and some good contemporary poets are leading the charge and Swift is keen to spread the message internationally. Swift cites Canadian poet David McGimpsey as an example of a good contemporary poet. In fact a quick look Swift's website, nthposition.com reveals that some of the best young poets are getting representation internationally: Steven heighton, Sherwin Tjia, Alison Trower. So why does poetry stilll get the bad rap? 'Poets, says Swift, 'are just as much to blame as readers. Poetry is a competitive business, as ruthless as being a corporate lawyer.' As a career poet, Swift does find it exhausting at times. 'Some days I just feel like I'm waiting for the the men in white suits to come round and collect me.'

Is there an advantage to being an Expatriate poet in London? 'You have a good perspective on Canada,' says Swift, 'and poetry is not a job you retire from.'

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Poetry Cafe
nthposition.com
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Scouts Are Cancelled on Amazon

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