BBC - Radio 4 - Poetry Slam

BBC - Radio 4 - Poetry Slam

God bless the BBC. Not sure whether this is old or new or what but I happened upon it last night. Not usually my sort of thing but it was really entertaining listening to the people blast out their lyrics...some of it was far too earnest and tettered on the line between precocious and pretentious but it was raw and messy (the marking format seems a bit of an afterthough). It was however unashamedly enjoyable. Pure modern poetry stripped down & unpolished getting blasted out to a receptive audience. Sometimes the predictable rhyme or sentiment jars but sometimes the poet slips in a clever little vocal punch from where you aren't expecting it. Definitely be listening again next week.

And on the subject of poetry this was read out on 5live earlier...it was written by Rhys Jones' dad. I had to turn off in the end as it was too heart-wrenching.

"Now god wanted a football match
And to play it up in heaven
But first he needed players
And select his first eleven

Georgie Best, big Brian Labone
The legend Dixie Dean
Alan Ball and Bobby Moore
All made it in the team

He needed one more player
Some one who would be quick
From up above he looked down
And saw Rhys there in his kit

So Rhys was taken up above
God took him by the hand
To play the game he loved so much
Where sponsorship is banned

There is no cheating either as
God is the referee
There are no mega wages
And the transfers they are free

The games are live on telly
You don't have to subscribe
The players all stay on their feet
Cos no one takes a dive

So Rhys plays now so happily
To the angels in the crowd
And every time he hits the net
They roar his name so loud

Have fun my little blue boy
Your safe and in gods care
Till its time for me to get my boots
And join with you up there

God bless Rhys

Love Mum, Dad & Owen xxxxxx"