A Monthly Publication

 It was my father who introduced me to poetry. He especially loved the comic ones and knew many by heart, including some by his favourite poet, Thomas Hood: ‘Ben Battle was a soldier bold,/ And used to war’s alarms./ But a cannon ball took off his legs,/ So he laid down his arms...’ and so forth. He would recite these rhymes in his melodious baritone at the least provocation, using them as bedtime stories to soothe my sister and me off to sleep. One of his favourites was titled Midnight Encounter with a Rocking Chair. This one was complex and needed to be read, so he would take out the well-thumbed book, turn to the page, and read it aloud for us. How a man crept downstairs in the dark, and had this unfortunate encounter. Hilarious stuff! Sitting warm in bed, my sister and I would raise our girlish giggles as a counterpoint to his deep laughter. My Dad was a lovely man.

If only I could remember the poem! Was it even a poem? Maybe it was a piece of short prose. I just don’t remember.

Later, when we came to clear out our parents’ home, I laid claim to most of the poetry books, fully expecting to find Midnight Encounter somewhere in one of them. No such luck. Did my sister snaffle the relevant book? She lives far away and I keep forgetting to ask her. But try as I might I have yet to find the poem. Can you help? Have you ever come across this poem? Is it in one of your books? Who wrote it, do you know?

Do poetry and rhyme mean something to you, too? Maybe you have a similar story you could tell. Maybe the first poem you ever learned still lingers word for word in your memory. Or something new has appealed to you. The words of a hymn might be particularly inspirational. Or a modern song might have shed new light on some old truth.

If any of this strikes an answering chord with you, why not come and join us for our next ‘Poetry at the Princess’ session? This will be held in the coffee bar at the Princess Theatre on the morning of Wednesday, 14 October, starting at 10.30 a.m. and lasting for around two hours with a break for refreshments from the bar half way. Your friendly bar-tender Derek is usually on duty. Last time, when we held the event in the theatre itself, he complained bitterly that he’d had to miss hearing the poems, so we’re going back in the bar this time. Just for you, Derek!

It’s all very informal, so don’t be shy. If you’re interested, come and try us out. There’s no entry fee, we just ask for donations to Princess Theatre Club funds, and you don’t have to stay for the whole session. Drop in for half an hour to sit and listen. Or bring your poetry book and share a favourite, asking someone else read it if you prefer not to stand up yourself.

The meeting will be chaired, as usual, by local author Mary Mackie supported by other members of the Princess Theatre Club. Make a note now:

Wednesday, 14 October, 10.30 a.m., in the bar at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton. See you then!