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'For Antoinette' by David Cooke is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week

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The new Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is ‘For Antoinette’ by David Cooke. The poet is a Gregory award winner and has published several poetry collections. His latest, After Hours, published by Cultured Llama, explores the lives of Irish migrants that settled in England in the first half of the 20th century. He also co-edits The High Window, an online quarterly review of poetry.  David has regularly posted poems on Write Out Loud for a number of years.  

 

What got you into writing poetry?

I started writing poems as a teenager when I discovered poets who sent a shiver down my spine. There have been many since but I got going with Keats, Auden, Hughes, Larkin, Gunn, and then, as I got more serious in my late teens, Heaney and various other Irish poets - maybe too many to mention.

 

Do you go to any open-mic nights?

Where I live in Grimsby there isn't much in the way of regular open mic gigs, but if there were I would certainly go. And when I've forced myself to travel further afield to promote a new book, say, I have always enjoyed the experience of reading my poems to an audience.

 

What’s your favourite poet/poem? 

That's a really tough one. Probably I'd have to stick with Heaney, but I also still really love Auden. Each appeals to a different side of my personality and they have both influenced the way I write. Both are masters of their art with instantly recognizable voices. One is more sensuous and the other more intellectual. I think Auden's poem 'The Shield of Achilles' takes some beating.

 

You're cast away on a desert island. What's your luxury?

That's another tricky one. I think it would have to be a book and a really big one to keep me going and one that I wouldn't get bored with. To go for the glaringly obvious, the King James Bible could be a contender, but I reckon the choice would change from day to day. I might be tempted by Proust. Been dipping into him for years!

 

 

 

FOR ANTOINETTE

by David Cooke 

 

On a wet afternoon in Wetherspoon’s

I came across her: gazing intently,

like a survivor from some belle époque

into the mirror of her make-up box;

and making herself presentable

for a night out and its chances,

she applied eye shadow and liner

with a practised hand, then blended

a blusher to the natural tint of her skin.

From time to time she paused,

deflating the banter, risqué and obvious,

of daytime regulars in a drawl

as rich as poured molasses.

She said her name was Antoinette –

mixed race, Belizean, and proud

of genes that shaped her cheek bones,

her hair as sleek as Jeanne Duval’s

and which she brushed and brushed,

her rhythm slow, insistent.

 

 

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Comments

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sun 27th Aug 2017 11:44

Ah, David, I'm so glad you are so 'recognized' for your superb work. I might have to relinquish my No.1 fan position. I will make room to include a GLOBAL circle! Actually, for my own question about a 'book on a desert island' I should have said 'David Cooke'; I really should have.

And I second the King Jame's Version of the Bible too.

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Greg Freeman

Sun 20th Aug 2017 08:14

The opening line of this poem sets the tone - "a wet afternoon in Wetherspoon's" - apparently unpromising material but in fact full of poetic music and tricks. I discovered David Cooke when he first posted poems on Write Out Loud a number of years ago now, and immediately admired his poetry. (David was kind about mine, which gave me a shot of confidence that I will always be grateful for). He has never been interested in introspection. Despite his wide poetry connections he has continued to remember this site and post his poetry here, and delight us with his understated, crafted and knowledgeable work. Thanks, David.

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raypool

Thu 17th Aug 2017 22:10

I commented on this one in the blog pages David. Just wanted to say it's nice that you got selected here. The effortless effect of the poem makes it memorable and it has a haunting quality that makes us long for more , which is course the beauty of it.

Ray

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Paul Waring

Tue 15th Aug 2017 18:37

Hi David, as you know I've really enjoyed your poems for all the time I've been on WoL. I really enjoyed this one too. Quality writing. I have just reminded myself to buy your book before I forget again. I will do it later!

Kind regards,

Paul

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Stu Buck

Mon 14th Aug 2017 10:27

kept expecting it to go somewhere else before realising it had no reason to. a gem.

<Deleted User> (13762)

Sun 13th Aug 2017 19:49

Congrats on POTW David - it's always good to learn a little more about the people behind the poems we read and enjoy on a daily basis here on WoL. Sounds like there is a gap in the Grimsby market for a Poems & Pints night - ever thought of starting one yourself? All the best, Colin.

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