Readings for Refugees

I finished my last post with a poem which, although about the Callander Poetry Weekend, was dedicated to my friend Iyad Hayatleh, who was at that time an asylum seeker. he got leave to stay (eventually) and last Saturday he and Tessa Ransford launched their book A Rug of a Thousand Colours at the Scottish Poetry Library.

Most asylum seekers aren't so lucky. For many years the senior partner and I have joined Ayshire Friends of Refugees at Dungavel in protest at the injustice meted out to them, and on Monday I went to Irvine at the invitation of my good friend Margaret Donnelly to participate in an event called Readings for Refugees. I read the Dungavel poems, of course, but also poems about our own migrations stories, the Irish Famine and the Highland Clearances, and the importance of speaking up for yourself, in your own voice. It's a great privilege to be able to use poetry in this way. It's often said that poetry makes nothing happen, but I'm not sure I believe it.

It was a good evening, including many interesting readings and messages of support from some of the authors whose works were read.

It wasn't well attended, however, not too surprisingly, as the Dungavel protests are attracting less and less attention too. I want to pay special tribute to the members of Ayshire Friends of Refugees and to the Eurydice choir, whose persistent speaking out for a cause which seems so unfashionable I find completely inspiring.

I'd also like to draw attention to an event run by Ayrshire Peace Group on the international Day of Peace (21st September). It will take place in the Grand Hall Complex, London Road Kilmarnock at 7:30 pm, and it's FREE.

Out and About

This photo was taken at the all women poetry slam at the Banshee Labyrinth in Edinburgh last week. The event was organised by Claire Askew, (who also compered, and did a fantastic job), and was tremendous fun, although I didn't make it past the first round. I met up with old friends, made some new ones, and heard some very fine poetry. In the event, the slam was deservedly won by the witty and outspoken Rachel McCrum.

Life got a bit complicated after that. I had a day in bed ill, then went to Liverpool to visit my mother and seister and her family, then came home and went to Glasgow where all our children had gathered, and to the Sudden Fame event organised by the Federation of Writers (Scotland), at the Aye Write Festival in the Mitchell Library. This is a fabulous building with lots of rooms for events as well as good stocks of books, and the Herald Cafe. The event was smaller than last year, but if anything, the quality of the readings was higher, and I was thrilled to find out how Glasgow really identifies with Visit Scotland. So I plugged the upcoming Solidarity Gathering.

It will take place on Sunday, outside Dungavel, at one o'clock. For further information, please contact the secretary of Ayrshire Friends of Refugees at arthurwest7@hotmail.co.uk. It isn't usually a long event - maybe half an hour or so. We sing, or recite poems or read out relevant bits of news, and present small gifts - biscuits or sweets or similar.