So pleased to make my debut on the wonderful Poetry Shed site today. Thanks to editor Abegail Morley.

You can read my poem ‘Swallowing Sunsets’ via this link: https://abegailmorley.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/paul-waring-swallowing-sunsets/

I’m having a truly beezer 63rd birthday today; good mood lifted even further by the arrival of these two beautiful Slice Of The Moon Books anthologies, each containing four (I know – get me!) of my poems, alongside many lovely poetry friends. Grateful thanks to editor Katie Metcalfe for producing these splendid books.

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Following my publication in One Hand Clapping magazine yesterday, I have another poem ‘Water Stories’ published today in the wonderful Eunoia Review, an online magazine that has published a number of my poems since 2017. Grateful thanks as always to editor Ian Chung.

Here’s the link to read ‘Water Stories’: https://eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2020/09/11/water-stories/

Delighted that my poem ‘Edgeless’ is in the latest splendid issue of One Hand Clapping magazine alongside a stellar cast, including several poetry friends. My grateful thanks to editor Alan Humm. It’s well worth a read via: https://www.1handclapping.online/

Paul Waring: a poem

Edgeless

Today I lack spark

charmless as plain biscuits

sharp as a butter knife

in a doll’s house.

Then it hits:

my God I’ve lost my edge

not even a match

for Miss Brodie’s chrysanths

each articulation

a barrage of bum notes

dull as a bell buried

halfway up Everest.

Today you might as well know

I’ll have nothing to say.

Paul Waring is a retired clinical psychologist from Wirral. His poetry is published in Prole, Atrium, Strix, Ink, Sweat & Tears, London Grip and elsewhere. Awarded second prize in the 2019 Yaffle Prize, commended in the 2019 Welshpool Poetry Competition, his debut pamphlet Quotidian is published by Yaffle Press.

Delighted that my poem ‘Substance’ features in the first issue of ‘192’, an online magazine that forms part of Colin Bancroft’s Poetry Directory site, a wonderful resource for poets (https://poetsdirectory.co.uk)

You can read Colin and Mary Ford Neal’s selection of poems by a host of excellent poets in Issue One via https://poetsdirectory.co.uk/192

Read ‘Substance’ via: https://poetsdirectory.co.uk/onewebmedia/Substance%20-%20Paul%20Waring.pdf

Oh, my. I couldn’t have wished for a more positive review of ‘Quotidian’, my debut Yaffle Press collection, as this. I feel honoured and humble. Sincere thanks Peter Ualrig Kennedy.

To read Peter’s review, here’s the link: https://londongrip.co.uk/2020/08/24464/

Delighted my poem ‘Nature Boy’ features in Issue 38 of Neologism Poetry. It has special meaning because I wrote it with my partner John Scottie Collins in mind – he has a touch of the David Attenborough’s about him!

Thank you editor Christopher Fields for including me. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it: https://www.neologismpoetry.com/July-2020/#pw

July 2020

Honoured to be this month’s Featured Poet in Poetry Kit’s ‘Caught In The Net’ series. In 2017 I took several Poetry Kit online courses. My writing benefitted so much from the tuition and brilliant 1:1 feedback from editor Jim Bennett.

Here’s the link: https://www.poetrykit.org/CITN/citn%20187.htm

A year ago today, my Yaffle Press pamphlet ‘Quotidian’ was launched at West Kirby Arts Centre. It was a memorable afternoon – such a friendly, relaxed atmosphere which 60+ poets and close friends, many of whom travelled from different parts of the country, seemed to really enjoy. Brilliantly hosted by Yaffle Managing Editor Mark Connors, superb readings from guest poets Gill Lambert, Pat Edwards and Edwin Stockdale and additional readings from several local poet freinds. In between, there were beautiful piano pieces played by the incredibly talented local musician Izzy Ryder. At the interval, a range of delicious snacks were served. Once again, massive thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it such a special occasion.

It has been a very busy and exciting year. Since the launch, I’ve done several guest poet readings at Word Club in Leeds, Black Light Engine Room in Middlesbrough, Sheep Town in Skipton and at Pat Edwards’ ‘Only Blood’ Yaffle pamphlet launch in Bishop’s Castle. Sadly, due to Covid-19, several other guest readings around the country had to be cancelled. 

I am so grateful to everyone who bought a copy of ‘Quotidian’ and gave such encouraging feedback. It really matters to me to hear the thoughts of respected peers. I was fortunate to have a Sphinx OPOI Review (https://www.sphinxreview.co.uk/index.php/943-paul-waring-quotidian) written by poet Mat Riches and I have another review by Peter Ualrig Kennedy forthcoming at London Grip. 

In November, I felt honoured that Atrium Poetry’s lovely editors Holly Magill and Claire Walker selected ‘Quotidian’ as their monthly Featured Publication (https://atriumpoetry.com/2019/11/03/featured-publication-quotidian-by-paul-waring/)

A few months ago I was invited by editor Paul Brookes to take part in the Wombwell Rainbow interview series (https://thewombwellrainbow.com/2020/05/14/wombwell-rainbow-interviews-paul-waring/)

In August I will be the featured ‘Caught In The Net’ poet on the Poetry Kit site and am so grateful to editor Jim Bennett for inviting me. 

During the recent months of lockdown, I’ve tried my best to keep writing and find ways to inspire myself and avoid getting into a ‘groundhog day’ rut. I’ve managed to keep submitting poems for publication. If you’re interested, I keep a log of them on the Published Poems (https://waringwords.blog/links/) page on this site.

So, what a year it has been. I am so grateful to so many people for their support and encouragement along the way so far. I’m still so proud of ‘Quotidian’. To think, just over three years ago, my partner and I were still living in Lisbon and had been busy learning Portuguese every day until our decision to return to the UK. This acted as a prompt to start writing poetry again after a gap of almost 20 years. And what luck to have found a perfect hobby, one that I truly love doing! 

What next? Well, I’m busy writing and thinking about a follow-up Yaffle Press pamphlet or collection which will probably appear in 2021. I feel honoured to be part of such a young, vibrant press with wonderful editors Mark Connors, Michael Farren and Gill Lambert.

If I’ve managed to keep you reading this far, thank you so much, you’re a star! x

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Really pleased to have two poems, ‘What Silence Knows’ and ‘Conscience’ up at Nine Muses Poetry. Thank you Annest Gwilym. Here’s the link:

Two Poems by Paul Waring