An Evening with Jeremy Dixon

Our contemporary poetry reading series ‘Go to the poets, they will speak to thee’ returns in 2022, curated and hosted by poet Kim Moore. We will be listening to what poets have to say about our turbulent times, and how poetry can cross borders to challenge, delight and inspire us. Each event in the series is part reading, part open mic – and the theme of the open mic changes every month!

In February we will be joined by guest poet Jeremy Dixon, whose first full collection A Voice Coming From Then was published by Arachne Press in 2021. Book 1 of William Wordsworth’s The Prelude is called ‘Childhood and School Time’ but much of this passage concerns itself with the outdoors, and recollections of what happens after school finishes – ice skating, boat stealing and learning from nature. Jeremy Dixon’s work also explores an experience of education which was marked by queerphobia, bullying and a suicide attempt. Although these are difficult themes, the poems here never lose hope – deploying visual inventiveness, humour and vulnerability to explore how resilience can come into being.

Our open mic theme this month is an invitation to bring a poem about school – whether this is a portrait of a favourite teacher or lesson, or a remembered moment in the playground or the journey to or from school – however you choose to approach this theme, we’re looking forward to hearing your poems!

Open mic slots are limited and must be booked in advance. Each open mic poem should be no longer than two minutes. Email Kim Moore at wordsworthreadingseries@outlook.com for a spot.

How to book and attend

Please read our guide to booking and attending online events before you purchase a ticket.

This event is a Zoom Webinar and the audience will not appear on screen. If you have bought a ticket and signed up to the open mic your audio and video will be enabled during the open mic.

Five free tickets are available for each session for those experiencing financial hardship that would otherwise not be able to attend. This is on a first come first served basis with no questions asked about your situation. Please email Hannah at h.catterall@wordsworth.org.uk.

Live captions will be provided by Otter.

Photo credit: Natalie Dixon