Alison Hill is used to standing in front of the mic as founder and co-compere of Kingston’s Rhythm & Muse poetry and music night; much less used to reading her poems from it. Her fellow compere, Nick Poole, doesn't write poetry; Alison has no such excuse. As another poet, Judith Watts, said: “Alison is one of the most selfless poets around. She’s always on the stage, but hardly ever reading herself.” But last Thursday was different, for the launch of Alison’s first full collection, Slate Rising (Indigo Dreams). She allowed herself 15 minutes or so at the mic to read poems from her collection, after the first of two sets from Paul Brennan on pipes and guitar and Michael O'Connell on accordion, and before the remarkable Hannah Rose Tristram, singing Edith Piaf songs and accompanying herself on the accordion. After the break, there were four open mic performers, including Judith, and more Irish music. Alison’s poems in Slate Rising are described by Maggie Butt as “poignant and elegiac”, with “flashes of humour and playfulnesss”. There will be further launch readings at Tongues & Grooves in Southsea, on Sunday 25 May, and at Fourth Friday,  at the Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden, on Friday 26 September. Greg Freeman 

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