Wondermentalist

I introduced the May Wondermentalist with the poem below. It’s a wonder I hadn’t used it before. Don’t be surprised if I use it again. The live version of this is up on Traydio right here. To lend drama I asked Dan from Nomad Shuffle to throw the sugar-free biscuit and crisps at appropriate points, and he did an almost sterling job. This explains audience’s ooh’s, aah’s and apparently unmerited applause…

Setting the Scene

(An introduction to any poetry event - with helpful directions in Italics)

We are the people and this is the place and the time

Past and future fade out as the present steps into its prime

For we are the light and the dark and the space inbetween

And this, the first poem, is simply called Setting the Scene

And we are the half-light and this is the time and the place

And my name is Matthew* and this is the look on my face** (*insert own name)(**indicate facial regions)

Tonight (name of poet) will take a deep breath and then risk it

And we are the people and this is a sugar-free biscuit

Yes we are the place and the time and my name is not Bernie

And tonight we, the people, are going to go on a journey…

We’ll amble down Imagery Avenue

Meander down Metaphor Mews

We’ll gaze at the skies up at Prophecy Rise

And light a soft, spiritual fuse

We’ll trip on tiptoes down Controversy Close

Quite disturbed by the people we meet

We’ll skip very lightly whilst shivering slightly

Down Subtle & Sensitive Street

We’ll get all effervescent on Ecstasy Crescent

Stroll vainly down Looking Glass Lane

We’ll be shedding our load down Catharsis Road

Achieving temporary cessation of pain

We’ll become self-aware round at Consciousness Square

Of the being beneath all we do

Then talk out of our arse at Brain-Stem By-Pass

And almost go down Virtual View

We’ll be broadcasting live from Dysfunctional Drive

With efforts both whole and half-hearted

We’ll get all self-important at Self-Centred Court and

Then all meet up back where we started

Where we shall be hearing

From parts of the sum of the whole

From the depth of their skin

To the tattoos engraved on their soul

And some will say just say how life could be

And some just how it seems

An acute combination

Of fluids and sinews and dreams

While our flesh is substantial

Our words are like will o’the wisps

And we are the people

And this is a packet of crisps

(*hold up a packet of crisps)

Postscript: When looking for a copy of this on my computer I found the unused line, that I admit I think is pretty good. This tells you more about me than I should let on…

Yes we are the people and my name has never been Heidi

And my head is a mess but my heart is surprisingly tidy

These lines too:

This evening’s a sponge-bag with motley selection of soap

Which will soon froth up into a rich, creamy lather. We hope.

Hmmmm