Zeitgeist Chronicler

What a brilliant set! There's something very olde-worldly-wisdom about what Gray Taylor's poetry has to say... and he says it beautifully, with a pitch perfect, observant, 'I see you' style.

From the woefully predictable situation laid out in 'Shopping While Black' and the bane of every night out in 'Read the Room' (which should be compulsory listening for all men - young and old), Gray confronts the issues that are very much the zeitgeist of our time. His delivery was conversational, but with a powerhouse rhythm ebbing and flowing, adding flavour and depth to the spoken lines.

'Seeds or Fruits' was another wonderfully thought provoking piece that asks the audience to consider where faults and traits actually originate from, but perhaps we imagine the generational divide (Gray spoke of a formidable grandmother) in which the older part of the divide could benefit from a little uncomfortable reflection! Similarly, the old phrase 'Tall, Dark and Handsome' gave us a all a critique of what we say without thinking. Our audience absolutely loved this poem with much chat about it in the bar afterwards, its direct address really bringing home the message. Perhaps the poem that drew the most attention from the set was the one Gray read on the reaction to his daughter being born. It is a universal truth that men who acknowledge the huge and pressing responsibility of parenthood are already way ahead of the crowd, but those that take time to write about it are in a class of their own! This poem was for us as an audience, as a society, a poem for his daughter and a poem for himself. Drenched in clear and unflinching emotional intelligence, it brushed aside the fairytale and ushered in reality in glorious focus. This stuff is serious - and it's hard - and it's miraculous!

Gray Taylor graced us with his poetry despite having to travel from Nottingham rather than from Brighton as expected and for that we are as grateful to him as we were impressed with his poetry. Gray has a voice worth listening to and powerful things to say about living in our time. If you get the chance to hear him live - definitely take it!

As always, we had a very impressive line up of open mic poets whose poetry is first class and as moving, entertaining and thought provoking as you'll find anywhere. we had some first timers, including Kara, Charlotte, Brenda - apologies, if I've missed anyone! Do come and jopin us in September and maybe even share a little of your own work with us.

Our open mic poets were:

Nicki Mr John Debbie

Kieth and Nicki Kara Charlotte

Marjorie Keith W Charles A

Chrystelle Melanie Di H

Brenda Adam Luke

Jaccie Abs David A

Mark D Christine H Tania