The New Mills Poetry Trail Open Mic Event – The Butterfly House at The Torrs, New Mills, by Nicola Hulme

As the setting sun filled the evening sky with a spectacular orange glow, I drove through the Derbyshire lanes to a small town nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the Peak District. I was on my way to celebrate the New Mills Poetry Trail with an evening of open mic poetry.
The residents of New Mills extended a warm welcome to the “outsiders” from Stockport’s Write Out Loud group; they even extended their arms to a poet from who hailed from the far reaches of Glossop, such a friendly bunch.
Held in the beautifully ornate Butterfly House at the Torrs Hotel, poets spilled out into neighbouring rooms such was the amazing turn out. It was heart-warming to see so many people of varying ages and backgrounds coming together to share in their passion, to hear and be heard. Remarkably, for such a large gathering, the atmosphere still remained intimate, reminiscent of stories told around the fireplace.
Published poets, new poets, experienced performers and those, like I, who still shake inwardly when approaching the mic, came together in a shared appreciation of the spoken word. Topics conveyed ranged from the pastoral pleasures of a slow canal walk, the heartaches of unrequited love, through to the surprise of eight family members surviving their first holiday together without anyone’s demise! For our delight we were told how Wordsworth’s decomposing body made fine fertiliser for the daffodils and allotment gardeners cried out for insect genocide, namely the extinction of the Cabbage White. The strength of Manchester was praised in a salute to the bees and conversations overheard at Costa were mulled over between drinks.
It was interesting to observe how we write as introverts, cocooned individually honing our craft, yet, on nights such as these, when we share our lines a new beauty emerges. Like a butterfly spreading its wings for the first time verbalising our humanity, vulnerabilities, passions and fears we create something new and more captivating together. We create a place of trust, empathy and support where smiles, nods and applause say “Yes, we understand, we have experienced the same and can relate to you.”
IPhones, technology and social media may play a huge part in our daily life but it’s reassuring to know the poetry scene is very much alive and well, uniting communities. On this night the people of New Mills and the surrounding areas turned their backs on box set binging and X-Factor warbling, preferring to spend time with friends in a lyrical wonderland.
I’d like to say thank you to Randy Horton and his team of volunteers for organising the Poetry Trail and the open mic evening. Thanks also to the shopkeepers who supported the event by allowing poems to be displayed in their windows and of course to the people of New Mills for coming together and making it a night to remember. I hope we can do it all again next year.

Review is about New Mills Festival Poetry Trail Round Robin on 26 Sep 2018 (event)

And where’s Seanin Hughes when you want her? This must meet with your approval, surely?

Comment is about UPSKIRTING 2 (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

JC's "dark brown" tones are ideal for the haunting material -
well put over.

Comment is about THE GHOST OF THE GHOST OF REES McGINN (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks, one and all, for the comments and the "likes".
I'm with Gene Kelly when he's "Singing In The Rain"! ?

Comment is about WET BLANKET (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Much to agree with here. The disappearance of the small petrol station with its attendant(s) is a more frequently met
example of the mechanisation/profit orientated changes we
meet these days. I continue to use small businesses when
I can - but somehow, all too quickly, they disappear or are
consumed by bigger concerns busy enlarging their empires.
Bah! For progress, read "regress"!

Comment is about Service Has Gone Down the Gurgler (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

A fantastic description of a your thought process and poems Great work DK. Thank you. ?

Comment is about Thoughts (blog)

Original item by d.knape

So much can be taken from this poem Avishek..bravo..Taylor?

Comment is about An Ache (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

YES! I loved this the first time it came around, so glad it got POTW, congratulations!

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Beautiful, sad.
The songs of life, then death.

Hannah

Comment is about EPITAPH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

The contrast between the two worlds, existing side by side, the people at the food bank moved on.
Brilliant piece Ray.

Hannah

Comment is about FOOD CULTURE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Oh, well done! Love this poem.

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Very powerful.
The trials of life beautifully written.

Hannah

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Great flow to this piece.?

Comment is about It's not easy being green. (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

I'm speechless! This is timeless, just perfect!?

Comment is about Thoughts (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thought provoking! Well done!?

Comment is about An Ache (blog)

Original item by AVISHEK GHOSH

Very unique sample.?

Comment is about Fred Dutch (poet profile)

Original item by Fred Dutch

When I was in school and hated it - most of my teachers were nice and influential. When I hated my teachers - most of the time school was easy and boring.

Education has no equivalent. Self-taught in poetry, group-minded when collectively protesting. Great topic.?

Comment is about Forever Taught (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Thanks Big Sal, as you rightly say whole anthologies could be written on this subject. It was longer, but I felt it detracted from the impact so I shaved it down to make exactly the point I wanted.

Always appreciate your comments. ❤

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Great flow and word choice you have here. Well done.?

Comment is about Evanescent (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

First and last lines tether this piece to power not unheard of or out of place in a theater production, a classic film, or another piece of art. Great job on this.?

Comment is about Venom of love (blog)

Original item by Shruti

Great fucking piece.?

Comment is about Velvet Tongue (blog)

Original item by Grape

Acknowledgement of hubris can lead to hindsight in the future. Very well done piece.?

Comment is about Know me (blog)

Original item by VHH

Sounds like the set-up to an episode of 'Luther'. Great piece.?

Comment is about Demon (blog)

Original item by Jenny jeong

Have you ever listened to Atmosphere? A rap group from Minnesota, US?

Man, they're fucking legendary, and your piece reminded me of them. Great job, you have that eye for poetry and rhymes that you can manipulate the words to do your bidding. Not many people can do that with rhyme, and thanks for your own comments on my work - it is very much appreciated.?

Comment is about STAR STRUCK (blog)

Original item by Eric James

Entire anthologies could be written on this subject.

Despite being so short, you did very well conveying the emotional weight of a piece so forlorn from most people's minds itself.

Thoughtful, powerful piece Taylor. Props.

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Again. Excellent.?

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Thank you Trevor..I really appreciated your comment on Innocent Sold..we live in a society which brushes so much under the carpet. The reality shows do not help. Some want to live in a bubble of ignorance.. If we don't say it, it isn't happening. We can all marry a celebrity. Unfortunately most young peoples reality in these difficult times is a far cry from that....sorry Trevor I can't help recalling my own youth where jobs were plentiful, no zero hour contracts, and a future was more than a forlorn hope..?

Comment is about Trevor Alexander (poet profile)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Thanks Martin

You would have enjoyed yourself and without your voice your wonderful poem was not heard

see you tonight

Comment is about Insanity Comes Calling Part Two (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

A light shining on one of the things we carefully "don't see".

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Great piece, that I can identify with, Don.

And Brian, don't get me started on airlines: "ok, you've booked your flight. Oh, you wanted a seat - that's extra..."

Comment is about Service Has Gone Down the Gurgler (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks all. ?

But Rose, the loose women are more fun than the LOOSE WOMEN, and I avoid 'reality' shows like the plague!

Comment is about Evanescent (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

John

Well earned and well deserved. Congratulations

Keith

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Very profound and sadly true for many a run-away!
Great job!

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Wow! Congratulations Jon! I'm so glad they chose this poem of yours, it is an exceptional piece. Very well deserved! I truly loved it when I first read it! Write on forever...??

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Hi Jon, many many congratulations on your wonderful poem of the week..such a well deserved accolade... Bravo so thrilled for you...Taylor xx ?

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Very good Jon. An excellent metaphor and justly deserving of POTW
many congratulations

Comment is about ‘Peace, love and understanding have left the building’ is our Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by steve pottinger

Thank you Rose, as you say many many women have made these difficult choices during their lives...sometimes the commodity that is themselves is all they have. ❤

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

and here's me Trev, thinking margarine wouldn't melt in your pie hole! ?

what have I told you about staying away from loose women and instead just stay in adoring reality shows

such as LOOSE WOMEN! DOHHHH!!! ?


Rose ?

Comment is about Evanescent (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

brilliant Taylor and without any doubt whatsoever can be related to by countless MILLIONS!


rock on girl!



Rose ?

Comment is about Innocence Sold (blog)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Poisonous poetry full of venomous verses.Well done.

Comment is about Venom of love (blog)

Original item by Shruti

I often find that those words that spill out quickly are among the best and this is no exception Stu

Nice one

Comment is about of womb and wither (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

A great theme Don which people over a certain age will identify with. My favourite is airlines which encourage me to check in and print boarding cards 'for my convenience'.

Comment is about Service Has Gone Down the Gurgler (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Hi Martin, Thank you for commenting on The Boy Who was a Funiosity. I love that word too, I often call it one of my little grandsons. Therein lies the inspiration. ?

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Lucky Bill..nice one Hugh..?

Comment is about Bill's can win (blog)

Original item by hugh

Hi Trevor, you managed to fill this poem with rhythm, rhyme and emotion. Evanescent Love it..?

Comment is about Evanescent (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

This poem kept me hooked. Nice payoff at the end. ?

Comment is about Venom of love (blog)

Original item by Shruti

I liked this poem..especially when read out loud. Your poems are very lyrical..thank you..?

Comment is about STAR STRUCK (blog)

Original item by Eric James

Thank you for reading I am a winner Hugh it means a lot. Taylor..?

Comment is about hugh (poet profile)

Original item by hugh

Thank you for your thought

Comment is about Jenny jeong (poet profile)

Original item by Jenny jeong

You bring up an interesting concept, Martin, with the idea of sowing in relation to depth--too superficially planted, a seed can be too easily carried or washed away; too deep, and it is too long denied the light it requires for nourishment (I'll be getting my coat, soon, if I keep on in this direction).

Somewhat along the same lines, an idea like this comes to mind...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel

Comment is about portfolio--modern treatise/old idea (blog)

Original item by nunya