Rhymes that Resonate and Validate

Mollywater stole the hearts of our audience this month bringing poems from life and our complicated and incomprehensible responses to it. Her rhythmic cadence was mesmerising as she told tales that were universally relatable; her poems spoke of humanity in all its glorious frailty.

Poems such as 'Bad Feminist', putting Freud's and our own ideas under scrutiny. 'Dissecting Frogs' beautifully captured the metaphor that suggests delving into understanding ultimately kills the subject. Both poems struck a raw and vulnerable quality in familiar feelings of struggle in navigating hurdles that are sometimes of our own making, sometimes of others'.

'Spiritual Psychosis' 'where everything is a sign' , is an excellent poem where new moons, feathers, horoscopes, spells and angels all conspire for intuition to tell us that 'you'll come back to me , one day it'll be fine.' , Mollywater performed this poem with a storytelling delivery that interwove an emotionally charged honesty with just enough distance to allow the audience to believe she was speaking about them. Totally captivating!

Molly finished her set with a poem called 'I can't win the Poetry Slam' with a nod to the Brighton Hammer and Tongue slam competitions where there's not really a competition because 'it's all about the poetry, right?' was the epitome of every artist's journey; an excruciating desire to be validated in an arena where validation is the least attractive facet!

Tuesday's set was perfect for the spoken word stage where her intonation seamlessly connected with the audience as if in conversation. In short, Mollywater's poetry was poetry for the people both in terms of listening and in being heard.

If you'd like to learn more about Mollywater, you can find her on Instagram @mollywater_music Give her a message to book her - she's lovely and really excellent!

As ever, our open mic poets were on top form, including this month a number of first time readers which was excellent! Robin, first timer spoke of his observations of life from his time during a period of rough sleeping. Charles Antony, next month's Guest Poet, read poetry with a naturalistic theme, with a touch of mysticism including falling leaves, rainbows and forests. Adam Highfield read of molly the last domesticated cat! Paul Rafferty spoke of us all being different but all the same and a poem about the punk idol Jordan wondering what she might think today. David Allen read poetry on an eclectic mix from milk carts and sash windows to secret lives. Mr John's poem 'Wired' told of his recent stay in hospital ending with 'Muchas gracias, NHS, Adios!' Keith Drake encouraged a singalong with' I need a big strong girl on a bicycle' and newcomer, Melanie B read 'Ease' a touching poem on the gift of a grand daughter's cupcakes. Debbie B another first time reader read poetry on 'blowing away our disguises'. John Wright, a welcome return of a fabulous local poet, read poignantly from his first collection of poetry 'Just words' and 'smudge'. Pam K read poems on positivity and self worth. Di Hills made us think about the reality of the scenes behind the Bayeux tapestry and also about King Richard the rat - a real one that is! Chrystelle hooked us with her romantic stance with 'Autumn is Here'. Keith Willson reminded us of the small plastic prizes that ruin the planet and the strain on the memory of trying to put faces to the names written on old leaving cards! Nicki Watts gave an uplifting poem 'Friends are like Bras' and a tasty tale of 'Six Inches'. Mark Durbidge read tenderly in 'Up Close and Personal' and 'Turn to Stone' Aleisha, our final newcomer of the night, read a beautifully worded poem using the image of a cup half full or half empty to explore optimism, pragmatism and pessimism.

Many thanks go to the wonderful Mollywater and our unsurpassable open mic-ers!