A world of poetry from Guernsey

Lester helps to organise the poetry nights

A lot is heard about artistic installations, theatrical productions and live music in Guernsey, but there is also a group out there dedicated to poetry.

Meeting monthly at the Fermain Tavern they write and perform their own works.

Jane, Richard and Lester shared with us their inspirations and some of their writing.

Jane said: "Poetry is a cathartic means of writing" a sentiment echoed by her fellow poets.

She continued that some of her writing is very personal and she keeps it to herself while some poems are "silly ditties" that she writes to perform and to make people laugh.

While Jane writes as much for herself as to perform, Richard prefers to focus on poetry for performance, which he said bears a distinct difference to writing for publication as he said: "I'm writing for an audience."

Richard has had some of his poetry published but he said: "It's not easy."

He added that while getting work published in Guernsey had become easier in recent years thanks to the Island Ink magazine, having work published elsewhere is hard because although "there is a market for it, it's hard and very competitive".

Lester is a familiar face to many thanks to his years fronting various bands in Guernsey, from Limbo to The Boogie Men, but he has been writing poetry for just as long.

He said: "I want [my poetry] to touch people and I think poetry can be a therapy at times... when you read something you can think 'that person feels like I do', you can relate to it".

While Jane, Richard and Lester all write different styles of poetry inspired by different ideas they all agreed that ideas can come to you at any time so its useful to have something to record those ideas with you all the time.

Jane said, "I scribble all the time" and she writes things as they come to her wherever she is.

Richard's style, while similar to Jane's, is slightly different. "I carry a notebook but I just make notes and put down ideas. Then I go home and work on a computer".

As with all artistic pursuits everyone has their own way and Lester records his ideas in a slightly different way. He said: "My micro-cassette goes everywhere with me", he explained how its particularly useful if you have an idea during the night or when you are not in position to write something down.

Lester performs his poetry to a musical backing

The trio all perform their poetry locally at the monthly open poetry night which take place at the Fermain Tavern on the last Monday of every month and at other nights organised by local poetry groups.

Lester explained that the monthly meetings are designed to be encouraging to both new and experienced writers. He said: "We are there to encourage and support."

Jane and Richard also had the chance to visit a poetry festival in Italy over the summer of 2009 where they both performed in front of many renowned figures in the poetry world including the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy with both writers work going down very well.