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Going Out With A Bang: My Top 10 Final Lines in Poetry

mabjones

Originally posted on Natalie Ann Holborow:
We talk a lot about our favourite opening lines in literature, but for me there’s something quite laudable about the delivery of a killer final line when it comes to poetry. As poets, we must seek to ensure that every word is necessary. Every word and punctuation mark must have earned its place. Unlike fiction, where the necessity is defined by the scene or dialogue’s role in advancing the plot, poetry has a more laser-like focus. We remember standout images and lines in poetry until they become recital. For example, think of your own… Continue reading Going Out With A Bang: My Top 10 Final Lines in Poetry

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Earth Day / Welsh Wetlands

mabjones

When you think of all the life that Earth has sustained – is sustaining – will sustain, across the whole of time; when you think of the near infinity of flora and fauna blooming and being upon, above, and within the Earth right at this moment; when your mind reaches up to the thin wing bones of a bird, let’s say the albatross, which are of a span so wide as to allow it to glide thousands of kilometres without pause; and then think down to the deepest dwelling creatures of the sea, as deep as we can ourselves fathom, … Continue reading Earth Day / Welsh Wetlands

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The Christmas Eves

mabjones

“Well,” said Dee, hanging another bauble from the already festooned tree, “that’s all very well and good, but who d’ya think’s gonna get the blame?” Di, from her chair, laughed. The chair was made of the finest bone, an assortment gathered and grouped together from all the animals of the world, and it shone brightly, almost gaudily, clicking a sort of rhythmic beat as its occupant wheezed and cackled. In Di’s equally bony, skin-wrinkled fingers was a tiny glass no bigger than a thimble, and in this was a bright jot of liquid. “If we give up – really, if … Continue reading The Christmas Eves

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The World’s Longest Love Poem

mabjones

This year, as part of International Dylan Thomas Day, 14 May, I was able to realise a recent dream of mine – to create the world’s longest love poem. Not by my own hand, but by the combined pens of people around the world, as part of Love The Words, the literary competition element of Dylan Day. Thanks to writers from all around the world, we managed to beat the current record and create that poem, which you can view now on Discover Dylan Thomas.com, the website of Dylan’s grand-daughter, Hannah Ellis. Entitled The Love Club (after a phrase from … Continue reading The World’s Longest Love Poem

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Cardiff Uni courses – let 2018 be the year of the writer!

mabjones

I teach the following 10 week courses at Cardiff University. They are currently open for enrolment, beginning Thursday 18th January. Each course is worth 10 credits at Level 4 (undergraduate level). Life Writing Draw on your own history and experience to tell the story of your life. Whether you want to engage readers, share your history with family and friends, or simply write for yourself, this module will give you the methods and means of composing compelling life writing, autobiography and memoir. https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/part-time-courses-for-adults/courses/view/life-writing   Reading and Writing Poetry This course adheres to the sound advice that if you want to … Continue reading Cardiff Uni courses – let 2018 be the year of the writer!

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Review!

mabjones

Many thanks to poet Angela Topping for a wonderful review of my latest book, and thanks also to Sabotage Reviews for giving space to it. So pleased, and so grateful, and so nice that a brilliant poet such as Angela has written these things! To quote from the review: “Mab Jones is a poet of detail, of concrete objects pulling their weight. Occasionally surreal, she has originality of thought and imagination. Technically, she is skilful. Indigo Dreams have created a quality slim volume with a striking, fitting cover, and the poems within do not disappoint. I look forward to reading … Continue reading Review!

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Molly Parkin Preview (& Dylan Day)

mabjones

This lucky ducky (rhyming already, cos She Is Poet) was in London over the weekend, and as part of her schedule of pleasures popped to the impeccable, plush, and positively gorgeous Vout-o-Reenee’s for a swift drink. In fact the drink was tea, for the proprietors of the property, Sophie Parkin and her delightful partner, who’s name I did not ask the spelling of, were being very busy and bee-like prepping the pictures for mum Molly Parkin’s 85th birthday and art exhibition this week. The exhibition is a retrospective of the past sixty years of Molly’s painting. The icon still paints … Continue reading Molly Parkin Preview (& Dylan Day)

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Hygge Feature #18 Objects of Happiness

mabjones

Originally posted on Angela Topping:
Most people have some small possessions of little monetary value, but great joy is attached to them, either because they please the senses or because they are associated with a happy memory or a loved person. Using and touching these things enables the owner to enjoy a sense of living in the moment, which is a key aspect of hygge. Cupboard I, who’ve inherited nothing, exceptthis nose more arched than a harp,these hips made to cradle a life,find in these old things enoughto still my quivering beak, which pricks in every direction of a map;enough… Continue reading Hygge Feature #18 Objects of Happiness

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Voices on the Bridge – Looking Forward!

mabjones

Originally posted on Celfypridd:
What a lineup! Not to be missed! Mab Jones is a “unique talent” (The Times), who has read her poems all over the UK, in the US, Ireland, France, and Japan. She is the author of Poor Queen (Burning Eye Books, 2014) and take your experience and peel it (Indigo Dreams, 2016), which won the Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize. She has also won the John Tripp Spoken Poetry Audience Award, the Word Factory Neil Gaiman Short Story comp, and the Rabbit Heart Poetry Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, amongst others. In 2015 she was the… Continue reading Voices on the Bridge – Looking Forward!