Some-Antics April 11th; Birthdays, dinosaurs and cake.

 

Some Antics

11th April

 

A week early, due to birthdays,

punk festivals, and a multitude

of other things, we all congregated

upon the phoenix; a sea of poets.

For what turned out to be

an incredible night.

This is the story of that night.

Kinda.

Ish.

 

The following is a true story.

Please note.

Some of the names

have been changed

to protect their identities,

Some of the facts

have been slightly altered

to make the story more exciting.

Some parts are made up entirely

just for shits and giggles,

whilst others are missed out

due to time and space constraints.

The order may be juggled,

the memories muddled,

as we mingled, I may have missed

some small details.

 

It was a warm spring evening.

The birds singing their restful lullabies

as the sun slowly closed her eyes,

 and climbed underneath

her fireproof duvet of night.

The poet was stirring from his pit,

"Shit", he thought,

"I'm late. Knew I shouldn't have had

a danger nap."

Quick shower and change,

out the door to see

the number 44A drive speedily away

into the misty haze of the city 

and the dark corners

of the cultural quarter.

"Bugger" he exclaimed.

A refrain heard by everyone around him.

 

Out came his trusty notepad,

cleverly disguised as a Samsung phone,

and he swiped through the apps,

accidentally opening

various random games, google maps,

some pictures of cats.

after a few minutes

of sniping space aliens,

a spark of memory hit his brain.

"Owww fuck... that really stings.

Ohh yeah meant to be

at that poetry thing."

Clumsily he hit the Uber button

and was in motion

before the night was over.

 

Meanwhile on her way from

that there London village,

T'ellie was sat on T'rain.

J̌azzy Min was on her way

from sleepy Rushton.

The team was almost complete.

We had a task, a goal we had to meet.

We had to be discreet,

like ninjas,

keeping to the shadows.

But first

some of us had to eat.

It's hard to be sneaky

when your stomach grumbling

gives you away.

So, the poet Elyk and T’ellie

grabbed some grub.

As Kez came in to

complete the team.

 

Poets assemble...

 

We each took turns prowling the room,

always on the lookout

for the famed Sammynourous,

both poet and dinosaur,

the mythical being from books of lore.

We planned out our attack

with military precision,

or we would have done

but we are poets not fighters,

so, we scrawled out our plan upon a napkin,

accidentally threw it in the bin,

then made up the rest, as and when.

We got words and names

written on a card emblazoned

with a big shiny number 40,

whilst our main gift

was being kept secretly

under lock and key.

(Okay, it was an Iceland bag,

but lock and key flows

more smoothly, sue me)

 

A second piece of cardboard

also emblazoned with a number

was also strolling around the room,

like it didn't have a care in the world.

To give to the lovely poet

from rhymes on the rocks,

In keeping with a sort of dinosaur theme

we shall call her the Kiatops.

 

So, the show began.

Ninja knob, true to his name

sprung from the shadows

and presented a gift.

A fresh dinosaur skin.

The Sammynourous’s

mouth opened with a grin,

then dropped to the ground,

as he was forced to wear the thing.

There were also masks

for every one of us.

To be fair no one

needs to see this ugly mug.

So, like a wave of dinosaurs,

led by their cult leader

we listened to poem after poem,

rippled with applause.

All the poets were brilliant,

may I add, but this is

that rare poetry event review

that isn't about the poetry.

 

The break...

this was our moment.

We got into formation,

circulating the cardboard between people

that hadn't signed yet.

We lit a dinosaur candle

on dinosaur cake,

and presented them to Sammynourous.

Along with our piece de resistance,

A poetry book,

a work of commitment, wonderment and magic.

Poured over for decades (3 weeks) 

to create a piece of work of art,

both beautiful and tragic,

a piece of art,

that ten of us had poured

our hearts into

To bring to life dinosaurs and comets,

Through laughter and sonnets.

 

As we witnessed the well of tears

climb through the Sammynourous's eyes,

we let out a cry of happy birthday.

It echoed to the sky,

to the stars,

the moon,

the aliens looming just out of sight,

put away their lasers and one said,

“Hang on Zargleburgereater,

these humans might be alright”

and left to see what Venus was like.

 

Many laughs were shared,

so much love in the air,

and the poetry was fire,

like the flickering flame

on a dinosaur candle.

Our work done, we headed to the pub,

no need to end the fun.

The night still young.

We chatted, we laughed

and we smiled.

Oh, how we smiled.

 

 

So, we at Get Mouthy want to wish

Sammy Nour an amazing birthday.

The word legend gets 

thrown around too often,

but sometimes there is someone

that just inspires so much from everyone.

I know I wouldn't be doing

what I am without Some Antics

spurring me on.

I have learnt so much from them,

I learnt to edit videos,

how to stand in front of a mic

and speak, to believe in myself.

Because they believed in me.

And I know that this is also true

for Jazmine, who has also started

her own poetry night over in Rushden

(get over to it if you can)

We all owe so much to Sammy

for all that he has given

to the Leicester poetry scene,

and just for being a bloody nice guy.

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Peace, Love & Poetry

Kyle

Literati Arts at Light Up Leicester Festival 15/03/2025

 

 

The bright lights of the city

have never been brighter,

prettier, or more enticing,

but more...

this is a cake layered in icing,

there are words

living in the lighting.

As part of the

Light Up Leicester festival

the city was home

to a whole host of light installations,

really showing the beauty of the city,

the history seen under a whole new light.

 

This was a great way to get people

together, when we seem

more and more divided,

when people seem a bit frightened

of the darkness that can

sometimes make a city seem uninviting.

 

This was the perfect way to enlighten.

Show that the shadows

don't always hide monsters,

just shades of our history.

This is the perfect time

to sample some

of the cities grand cuisines,

many social gatherings,

the drinking establishments,

and much more importantly

it was an opportunity

to connect with people

from all different walks of life

and embrace the love that sits

when we put difference aside.

 

 

But Kyle, what does this have

to do with poetry?

I hear you yell.

Well...

Let me begin,

(I do like a long rambling intro)

 

The brilliant team at Literati Arts

put on some shows over the weekend,

and I was lucky enough

to catch the last of these.

I'm really glad I did.

There in the bustling

St Martins Square,

the atmosphere

was electric.

We were treated

to three brilliant poets,

each with important

words to share.

To start things off

we had Literati Arts

very own Tyrone Haughton,

a true poet & spoken word artist,

but also a great host,

who knows how

to let people truly shine.

 

He owned the little stage area,

not an easy task

when people are just passing through,

but he lured them in, with words

that they could feel,

the crowd grew,

not thinning until the last act

had spoken.

Tyrone's words draw you in instantly,

they grab you asking

to listen to the stories held within.

A truly brilliant opening.

 

Then @Shareefaenergy took the mic,

and though I've seen her before,

and have been following for a long time,

it was a true delight

to get to listen

to her words of insight.

She has a way of making

you feel every emotion,

taking you through

her childhood, eating the cuisine,

feeling the beating heart of community.

If you get a chance to hear her words

or read her book then please take it.

 

Last but not least was Mr Shay,

who again

gave us stories of his youth, his life,

all infused with love and laughter.

He shared memories that those of us

of a certain age

will be able to reminisce about,

whilst also teaching things

that we may have not known.

And that's the beauty of poetry,

three poets of different styles,

backgrounds and lives,

All sharing little snippets

that help us to understand

each other a little better,

and hopefully heal this world

that is feeling very

under the weather.

 

It was such a great moment

to see so many people

embracing spoken word poetry.

People that otherwise would not

usually experience the way

words can move a crowd.

Well done to the Literati Arts team

and all of the light up Leicester people

for giving poetry such a great home,

and I'm sure,

in future there will be

many more opportunities,

to share our city’s

brilliant poets

and their stories.