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Steve O'Connor

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Last blog entry: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:36:28 am

Profile updated: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:30:48 pm

 

Biography

Hello.

My name is Steve O'Connor. No, seriously.

Anyway, how are you? Has that rash cleared up?

Grand.

I can be found reading/performing my work all over the show. I'm the co-founder and co-host of Freed Up - Manchester's friendliest open mic poetry theme night. If you want to know more about Freed Up give the greenroom a call on 0161 615 0500 or go to -

www.myspace.com/freeduppoets

And on Facebook. Look for us!

You should definitely come to Freed Up. Not only is there poetry, but there's also a rosey-cheeked sense of vigour to the night that will leave you breathless and spent - in a good way.

If that's your sort of thing.

I'm joking of course. Come to Freed Up. It's alright. That Dominic Berry co-hosts. He's alright too. Speaking as someone who has been to Freed Up, I'd have to say that I'd definitely go again.

You'll find some of my work in Transparency (published by Crocus Books), Citizen 32 magazine and various other fine publications.

You'll also find it online at -

www.myspace.com/steveoconnorpoet

And here. But you knew that already.

I'm on Facebook too. (Don't know how to link to that. Look for me).

I also have lots of poems in my head. Help. They hurt.

I run a weekly creative writing workshop most Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm at the Union Chapel in Fallowfield. If you'd like to know more, give the Chapel a call on 0161 225 4226.

At the end of my degree I had the honour of having my work showcased by Manchester Metropolitan University. That was a long time ago and I'm still traumatised.

I write poetry and have been known to dabble in prose.

Cellar Door - a great theory.

Vehemence - my favourite word.

Thatcher - my least favourite word.

Incidentally - Do you know the way to San José?

Samples

The Moon Was Built By Robots.

The Moon was built by robots
I know this to be true
Because it makes about as much sense
As being in love with you

And all ideas are bulletproof
Impervious to scorn
Inflexible as absolutes
From which all lies are born

Most fish can ride bicycles
They just don’t like to show it
That’s truth that’s actually factual
As sure as I’m a poet

Trust is a worthwhile pursuit
Where amity is spawned
Laughter, tears – a lifespan’s loot
Where we’ll tarry to mourn

Nuns invented Rock n Roll
As a present for the Lord
A sincere thought from as great a mind
As mine is when it’s bored

You can drive me unto lunacy;
Drive me unto drink;
Drive away hurtful opinions,
Just don’t drive me to think

The one thing that intimidates the suicidally depressed;
Being made to undertake a lifetime
Of blissful happiness

Elvis lives! (In Wythenshawe)
And builds sheds with his twin brother
If I were such an entrepreneur
It might impress your mother

Your smile is my brain’s tattoo
A punctured heart beats for your kiss
Wimpy Bar perfume memories fight this gloom;
Greasy tea, not ambergris

Lapdancing is from Lapland
These words are exact, not spin
It’s the sort of thing we could withstand
When winter nights draw in

This warmth could be unqualified,
Found within good fortune’s debt
Such devotion is chance undecided
Where once was cause to fret

At such a stage we tread as light
As a new lover’s caress
Believing ardour can endure all fights
With regret, I will confess

That to be certain about anything
Could be one step too soon
But I do know that I love you,
And robots built the moon

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

Last blog entry

Clouds at sunset

Posted on Wednesday 26th November 2008 8:36 am

Clouds at sunset

 

Footprints left in wet sand

Dance a path towards a red horizon

Where the sky hangs like fresh laundry

And flutters with a scent

Of clouds at sunset

 

We play kiss-chase with the tide

Stand defiant at the shore

Shouting demands at invisible ships

Refunds of deposits on message-less bottles

And rude words to shame sailors

 

This day’s end will not fall

It rises like sunburn

Like laughter that swells

From the belly to the throat

And blushes clouds at sunset

 

We are vandals breaking up the evening

Leaving nothing but splinters

And a threat of new first light

Your smile is the catalyst

The graceful spark that resists the gloaming

 

I offer my open hand to the flame

I volunteer my life and will to this moment

This perfect undertow must transgress

Reach skyward and snatch back

Clouds at sunset

 

Hold them fast in an embrace

That sustains like the ocean’s roar

The chaos music of gull-song

Have our trail remain a joyous, stumbling minuet

To the noise of clouds at sunset

 

Previous: Career Politicians and Bankers are evil (insert expletive/s)

 

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Comments

TANNER

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Thu 27th Nov 2008 16:47

tar for having a look steve, yeh i agree we shouldnt have rules, thats from a time when i was arguing with a right female twat who kept telling me i didnt 'understand the purpose of poetry' so i was being arrogant back, & turned out i liked it enough to keep it.

deffo - the only debate is, is it any good? it can rhyme, be metaphyiscal, whatever ... and this woman was drab dreary turd bits floatin in a pompous septic tank, i promise you.

performance? i'm shit, ask anyone who's seen me. besides being nasally, obnoxious droning/occasional screeching scouse lil brat, there's also fact that me stuff has no punch lines, cos i like to photograph this marvellous society, so people kind of sit there waiting for a POINT ... oh well

 

Sarah Jane Vespertine

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Tue 25th Nov 2008 18:22

Hello Steve. So sorry to keep missing Freed Up, because I really do love it. I do keep telling people how good it is, tho...

You read the 'bankers' poem at the Deaf Institute gig, didn't you? I know I've seen you read it recently-ish, and loved it. One of the best readings I've seen you do.

Thank you for the foxy comment. It's one of my favourites, and worked quite well considering it was written in about half an hour. I do quite like foxes, even tho they ate our chickens.
Well, their heads...

But it's ok, cos now we have more chickens. Hurrah!

 

Belinda Johnston

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Tue 11th Nov 2008 13:07

Dear Steve,

Thank you very much for your comments about my Dad poem.

Ta very much for picking me up on my spelling too, I'm a bit lazy like that sometimes, oops.

Thank you for the feedback again.

And No, you can't come to Japan, sorry mate !! :)

 

Mia Darlone

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Thu 6th Nov 2008 22:56

Ta for your comment. Yeah, 'what now.......' Agree with point re cliches - didn't really think of it, just wrote what was messing my head up. Anyway, if you mess things up you have something to write about. And if there was nothing to mess up in the first place then you look like a twat for writing such a poem!

 

Cockney Rhyming Slag

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Wed 5th Nov 2008 22:05

Oh Fuckin ell, I forgot the bleedin caftan. You clever sod.
Can you dig me one of them graves? Barry's only 9 months so I'll give you a quid. 2 quids a rip off.
Yeah, see ya on the bench, grab us some chips will ya. No vinegar - it well mings.

 

Jeff Dawson

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Fri 19th Sep 2008 22:44

Hi Steve, great to see you tonight, loved the set, well timed and great content, see you soon, cheers Jeffarama!

 

Jeff Dawson

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Wed 27th Aug 2008 16:41

Hi Steve! was gonna let you know I'd blogged it but you beat me to it!

Please be assured I've no Robbie in my collection!! You can sleep easy!! You have to put something in for the girls!!

Yes a quite eclectic colletion, mainly punk and new wave but some more main stream stuff like U2, REM Pink Floyd etc. Recently I must be getting soft or more poetic, like Amy McDonald!!

Love music and spent my life going to gigs.

Thanks for comment, see you soon, Jeff

 

Mia Darlone

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Tue 24th Jun 2008 11:34

The follow up is already done - it's a film called 'X-rayted' about an amorous Radiographer.
I do like your idea, but I think Morris dancing with sex would be even better - pinning each other up against the pole, using the ribbons for restraint purposes and so on.

 

Melanie Rees

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Tue 6th May 2008 08:56

Oh steve

You charmer you...thank you for your lovely comments.

Mel
x

 

Mia Darlone

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Wed 30th Apr 2008 14:07

Mirrored ceiling. Glad you enjoyed my latest offerings - I trust I shall see you in the audience of my play 'Below the Belt' in July?! (Will start some major plugging once venue confirmed). See you at FREED UP.

 

Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

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Sun 13th Apr 2008 00:14

So, do you love her or hate her in "Robots Built the Moon"? Its a complex piece displayed as being lighthearted: I really enjoyed it reguardless!!!

 

Mia Darlone

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Mon 14th Jan 2008 12:27

I love the idea about shooting an audience member! I also think it would be very stylish to don a shell suit at the end of my performance and then drop a lighted match into the hood.

 

Mia Darlone

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Thu 13th Dec 2007 13:06

Steve, I have no idea what you're referring to - making out that my poetry about a sacred stringed instrument has some sort of hidden sexual meaning - I'm very disappointed in you. And offended for that matter.
I shall be speaking to the chief executive to report your abuse.

 

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