"A mosaic of new pieces by poets familiar and unfamiliar, always readable, frequently surprising – prepare to be conquered!" JOHN GREENING

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

"The poems in this anthology are sensitively grouped to create an inviting pathway of contrasts and affinities. 'Bountiful clusters, dark inky treasure' – the poetic voices and moods, the illuminating ideas and evocations to be discovered in these pages." JANE DURAN

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

We had a good turnout last Wednesday at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans, when Simon Bowden and Marilyn Taylor read from Simon's pamphlet, "Gifts of the Dark", which deals with his recovery from tongue cancer. Our thanks to them and to the open-mic contributors for poems on medical and health issues.

Don't forget "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday evening. Book a free place (and open-mic slot, if you wish) via Eventbrite, or turn up on the night.

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join us at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.30pm for "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" – a dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden, followed by an open-mic session for poems on medical & health issues and an optional, round-table discussion.

Only a week left to book your free tickets for this exciting, themed event at The Saint & Sinner in St. Albans. It's open to all and includes an open mic. You'll find it on Eventbrite at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-...

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join us at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.30pm for "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" – a dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden, followed by an open-mic session for poems on medical & health issues and an optional, round-table discussion.

Every word has a hidden life. My new web series, The Life of Words, begins today. This episode explores imagination, creativity, and where stories begin. New episodes every Tuesday. Check it out: youtu.be/i_yPTOGARAc?... www.tiktok.com/@life.of.wor...

Your Imagination Is The Most Important Thing About You - Life of Words #1

YouTube video by Life of Words - David Morley

youtu.be

Only two weeks to go to this exciting event at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans. It's open to all and includes an open mic. Book your free tickets now from Eventbrite. It's simple to do and the following link will take you straight to the event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-....

Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine

A dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden with open-mic poems on medical & health issues and an optional round table

eventbrite.co.uk

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join us at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.30pm for "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" – a dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden, followed by an open-mic session for poems on medical & health issues and an optional, round-table discussion.

"For those eager to experience the vigour of contemporary poetry, this collection of writing by members of Ver Poets and more famous names is recommended reading." MARTYN CRUCEFIX

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

Join us at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.30pm for "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" – a dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden, followed by an open-mic session for poems on medical & health issues and an optional, round-table discussion.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Open Competition, Elsa Braekken Payne (1st), Thea Smiley (2nd) and Natalie Ann Holborrow (3rd), and to all those whose poems have been selected for the prize anthology. Full results can be found at verpoets.wixsite.com/verpo….

We were delighted to welcome Robin Houghton (@robinhoughton.bsky.social) and Mark Fiddes (@fiddes.bsky.social) to St Albans Library on Saturday morning. As well as giving excellent readings, they also led a very interesting discussion. Our thanks to them and to the open-mic readers.

Don't forget our reading tomorrow (Saturday) with the excellent Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. It's at 11.00 am in St Albans Library and is free and open to all. Sign up on the day from 10.30 for the open mic.

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join us on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am in St Albans Library for readings by Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. There's an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30 am). The event is free and open to all. Details on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/eve....

"Versatile and vibrant, commemorating the wonder of poetry, here is a selection of poems that offers good company whatever mood you are in. I applaud the editors for such a fine achievement." SHANTA ACHARYA

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

Only a week to go until the brilliant Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes read to us in St Albans Library on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am. It's free and open to all. Sign up on the day from 10.30 for the open mic. #spokenwordpoetry #openmic #poetrycommunity #spokenpoetry

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join us on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am in St Albans Library for readings by Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. There's an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30 am). The event is free and open to all. Details on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/eve....

Our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff. You can order copies from our website: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications.

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

Join us on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am in St Albans Library for readings by Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. There's an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30 am). The event is free and open to all. Details on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/eve....

This week's copy of the "St Albans Times" includes an article about the recent launch of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", in St Albans Library and on Zoom. For copies of the anthology, see the Publications page of our website (search for Ver Poets). issuu.com/stalbanstime...

St Albans Times issue 174

Independent, insightful, informative local news for the city and district of St Albans.

issuu.com

We had a very enjoyable reading on Saturday afternoon in St Albans Library and on Zoom to launch "A Staircase in Mid-Air", our anthology marking 60 years of Ver Poets. ​ We were joined by four of our recent Open Competition judges—Julia Webb, Rory Waterman, Adrian Buckner and Merryn Williams.

We're launching our 60th anniversary anthology at 2pm on Saturday 16th May in St Albans Library and on Zoom. Book free places in the Library here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988681998..., or get a link to attend the event online here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988682482....

We're launching our 60th anniversary anthology at 2pm on Saturday 16th May in St Albans Library and on Zoom. Book free places in the Library here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988681998..., or get a link to attend the event online here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988682482....

Here's a piece about poetic inspiration that I've written for "Just Beauty". My thanks to Simon Bowden for inviting me to contribute. www.justbeautyportal.com/just-art/whe...

Where Do Poems Come From? - Just Beauty Portal

Many poetic careers have been marked by periods of silence (Longley’s own) or even the complete abandonment of the art (Rimbaud or Laura Riding).

justbeautyportal.com

There's only a week left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April. #poetrycompetitions #poetrycontests #poetrycommunity

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Entries are invited for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert, with prizes of £600, £300 and £100. Winning and selected poems will be published in the competition anthology. The closing date is 30th April. Details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

With less than a week to go, we're looking forward to hearing The Booming Lovelies read in St Albans Library on Saturday. It's free & open to all and there will be an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30). #spokenwordpoetry #openmic #poetrycommunity #spokenpoetry

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The Booming Lovelies – Heather Moulson, Trisha Broomfield and Sharron Green – will be our guests on Saturday 25th April at 11.00 am in St Albans Library. ​ Sign up on the day from 10.30 am for the open mic (first come, first served). The event is free and open to all.

Only two weeks left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April.

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Entries are invited for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert, with prizes of £600, £300 and £100. Winning and selected poems will be published in the competition anthology. The closing date is 30th April. Details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

Jeanette Burton's poem, "My mum accidentally leaves me a seven-minute message on WhatsApp", was commended in the Ver Poets Open Competition 2025, judged by Rory Waterman. This year's competition, judged by Vanessa Lampert, closes on 30th April. For details see: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

Only three weeks left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April.

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Entries are invited for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert, with prizes of £600, £300 and £100. Winning and selected poems will be published in the competition anthology. The closing date is 30th April. Details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

The Booming Lovelies – Heather Moulson, Trisha Broomfield and Sharron Green – will be our guests on Saturday 25th April at 11.00 am in St Albans Library. ​ Sign up on the day from 10.30 am for the open mic (first come, first served). The event is free and open to all.

There's only a month to go to enter your poems for this year's Ver Poets Open Competition, judged by Vanessa Lampert. The closing date is 30th April. Entry details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com...

Ver Poets@verpoets.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Entries are invited for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert, with prizes of £600, £300 and £100. Winning and selected poems will be published in the competition anthology. The closing date is 30th April. Details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

Kathy Pimlott's poem, "How I do the grieving a few years on", was commended in the Ver Poets Open Competition 2025, judged by Rory Waterman. To enter this year's competition, which will be judged by Vanessa Lampert, go to verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com.... The closing date is 30th April.