On another difficult day for the world, my poem ‘Bus Stop Etiquette’ was published by Ink, Sweat & Tears, one of my favourite sites. Thank you Helen Ivory.

Bus Stop Etiquette

We roll up piecemeal, shuffled rush-hour
pack in all weathers; fix envious glares
into underoccupied kerbcrawl cars
blaring rock, pop, classical, duh-duh-duh
dance and dumbass ads. It’s Britain

so we queue; eyecontactless, heads bowed
into mobiles like bibles among eavesdroppers
alert for you’ll never guess news; so I turned 
round & said braggadocio, grandparent
gloats, death and health-obsessed drama.

One eye out for the 432, the other on gatecrashers
lurking to gazump our too-shocked-to-say
chorus line; its well-rehearsed lean to the left,
arms outstretched in synchrony, body language
as one chanting thou shalt not pass.

Delighted to have two poems up at Good Dadhood, a wonderful site edited by Sharon Larkin. Tributes to me late gentle, endlessly creative father. https://gooddadhood.com/2020/03/06/two-poems-by-paul-waring/

My poem ‘Unfinished’ is part of this month’s London Grip. As always, it features an excellent line-up of poets and poems. Grateful thanks to editor, Michael Bartholomew-Biggs. https://londongrip.co.uk/2020/02/london-grip-new-poetry-spring-2020/

Mat Riches’ review of my pamphlet ‘Quotidian’ is up at Sphinx. I couldn’t have hoped for more insightful, positive, first words about my debut pamphlet. Thank you Mat, I’m incredibly grateful. https://sphinxreview.co.uk/index.php/943-paul-waring-quotidian

I read at the 2020 Wirral Poetry Festival launch last night in West Kirby. Lovely words of introduction from festival organiser Judy Ugonna, wonderfully compered by Steve Regan and fine readings from poets on the theme of ‘Spirit Of The North’. Thanks to Ali Harwood for this photo.

Thrilled to learn my poem ‘Unfinished’ has been accepted by London Grip, a wonderful online magazine, for inclusion in their March issue.

Thrilled to hear my poem ‘No Prizes’ has been accepted by Prole, my favourite print journal. Always an honour to feature among its top quality prose and poetry. Issue 30 is due out in May.

Delighted to see my poem ‘A Conference Of Crows’ up at The Beach Hut, an interesting new online magazine publishing quality coastal-themed poems. Grateful thanks to the editorial team.

Delighted to have two poems accepted for inclusion among a stellar list of poets in the forthcoming Green Fields anthology, published by The Poetry Village. Thanks to editors David and Nick. I’m looking forward to the launch in March.

https://thepoetryvillage.com/portfolio/green-fields-the-guest-list/

A bit late posting this but I had a fabulous afternoon in December as a co-headliner (alongside my great friend Pat Edwards) at Word Club Christmas event held in the warm and welcoming Chemic Tavern pub in Leeds. Many, many thanks to Mark Connors and Gill Lambert for organising the event and for inviting me. What an atmosphere! And so great to spend time with fellow Yaffles Pat (& Mike!), Michael Farren, Matt Nicholson, Kathleen Strafford, Ian Harker, Terry Simpson and Linda Marshall plus so many others including Edwin Stockdale, Moira Garland, Sarah L Dixon, Andy Humphrey and Joe Williams. So many excellent poets together on an afternoon to remember.