Biography

I am an award-winning fiction writer, performance poet, and founder of the new non-profit online publisher, Philistine Press.

My short story collection, "A History of Sarcasm" is available from www.doghorn.com. The full text of my novella, "About Someone" can be read on my website, www.frankburton.co.uk. In 2007, I released the performance poetry CD, "Collected Words." More details are on my website, alongside the words to all the poems. I'm currently working on a second album.

My work has been published in magazines and anthologies in the UK, Australia, and USA, including Poetry Monthly, Pulsar, Etchings, Skive, Purple Patch, Gold Dust, Twisted Tongue, Monkey Kettle, Whispers of Wickedness and Obsessed With Pipework.

If you're interested in booking me for a poetry event, please email fjb79@hotmail.com.

I am also on My Space:
www.myspace.com/frankburton
www.myspace.com/frankburtonpoetry

To find out more about Philistine Press, please visit www.philistinepress.com.

Samples

SHADOWS:

On a trip to my home town,
I called in at my old friend Keith’s,
To be met by his mum and dad,
Who took me into the kitchen
And informed me that since my departure,
Keith had turned into a mountain.

I looked out the back window and, sure enough, there he was,
Standing tall, without the slouch.
His transformation had destroyed several houses,
Expanding the back yard by a square mile or so.

That afternoon, I climbed him,
Taking lunch with me,
Various items of food and drink that I remember Keith liked.
Kit Kat.
Fosters.

I sat at the top and ate my chocolate and drank my lager,
And wondered if Keith was happier as a mountain.
From where I sat, I could see our old school,
The pub we used to go to.

I descended, packing my things into my bag,
Not wanting to leave litter.
“It’s just a phase,” his mum said. “He’ll change back.”
“In a way, I hope he doesn’t,” I said.
Slightly insensitive of me, it can’t have been easy for them,
What with all those people suing.

I stepped back into the yard.
The sun was setting, and I allowed myself to stand once again,
In Keith’s shadow.

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.