STOP PRESS. See Dave Wood's poetic commissions for Transported into Poetry. He also has the pleasure of mentoring Lynn Parker, so you can see some of her's too!
Bring some individual quirk to your festival.
Dave Wood (as Dr Rhyme) produces poems which reflect the moment, have sassiness and verve; he works with what you tell him and the end results are simply delicious.
Photo: Chris Schubert
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As wandering poet, he'll quickly create for all kinds of people and occasions; weddings, birthdays, memorials, anniversaries, congratulations, commiserations and beards.
Photo: Chris Schubert
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He's recently been Dr Rhyme for Lincoln Inspired 2014, creating poems for its visitors, its artists and for its locals. He's been commissioned, wandering poet at Stainsby Festival, Skegness SO Festival (twice), Sutton on Sea Festival, Lincoln Book Festival and the Creative Perambulations of Sherwood Forest. He's also created poems for visitors to Derby Gallery and Museum and Nottinghamshire Library Service as well as producing major commisssions for StArtle and Ilkeston Festival. Each poem can now be voice recorded and emailed.
Dave performed for the OPAL conference at the East Midlands Conference Centre. He was the wandering poet for Skegness SO12 Festival, for Stainsby Folk Festival and will be heading to the Bathing Beauties Festival in September 2012, offering poems (for free!). You can see his mammoth epic for ThinkTank (with some rude words!) on youtube.
He's been the unofficial, official poet in residence for BBC Radio Nottingham and has also appeared on BBC Derby, Leicester, Kemet and Mansfield FM.
Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Inspired 2014, photo courtesy/copyright John Byford. |
surprise me - i know you're my surprise
i'd live on biscuits if i thought i could
what compass points your way and eyes
draws me to you (as so it should)
i'd live on biscuits if i thought i could
i'd hear the monkey howl
and sense the heart
my love unlimited flowing in the blood
a science fiction wave that plays its part
draw me to you (and so you should)
i'd live on biscuits if i thought i could
Example poems following
the otherness
of other space
(for the other space community arts - beeston)
so check out
the otherness - the what-ness
of the stuff
see the
swirling pictures and know the
smooth - the rough
and walk into
a different space – what
moves keeps moving still
the other
space is otherness - and
waiting to be filled
see the
swirling pictures and know the
smooth - the rough
greet the
magic makers – the artists’
work of love
and the what-ness sits on what-sits and we
give our chairs for all
we smile when
doors are open (await
creative’s call)
and walk into
a different space – what
moves keeps moving still
what dances in
our mind’s eye bends
against the will
what dreams we
find in other space are
written from the muse
see the
prim’ry colours – and mix them up
with glue
the other
space is otherness - and waiting
to
be filled
so walk into a
different space – what moves
keeps moving still
stainsby festival poems
clearing summer's throat (to the stainsby festival volunteers)
so here's to the ones that we don't see
the ones not heard - behind the scenes
that empty out the bins and stuff
that do the jokes - that take the rough
that pick the litter - fill up bags
that work their arses off like rags
the volunteers who work for nowt
for stainsby and its summer throat
garlic in your love (for the soup dragons at stainsby festival)
so simmer into summer
put garlic in your love
shlurrp the soup into your tummer
it’s dinner – that’s because
so be souper with your lentil
draw the heart around the broth
garlic – chilli – senti-mental
putting garlic in your love
put your bowl in to your wash-er
and tig put on your gloves
draw the heart around your broth-el
put garlic in your love
the truth of otherwise
what’s poison then? the truth of otherwise
what’s distinct from the district digs in deep
the ‘troth of truth – is keeping us in sleep
ask questions then – for tempting us in lies
what’s distinct from the district digs in deep
what’s inside is in tents – so find the truth
who grasps the love – the road that shows us clues
we walk the lead – the dreams we’d like to keep
the ‘troth of truth – is keeping us in sleep
what lies beneath the heap is history’s word
fire battles with more fire and coal is stirred
the colour of the universe forms deep
each trauma brings sedition out its hole
the questions boiling ‘troths of truth for souls
the staff of it
so co-ordinate – congratulate
the alphas won’t be beta for the fun
there’s ben and mary – alice - kate
the rainbow of all colours shining love
and crackle crackle – fantasticate
the sandwiches and tea are in the tent
and over the top
(we
work ‘til late)
the stainsby team – georgeous gareth
triple
js – the bigs and beautiful bens
so do it for the love of it
the
hug of it
the treble clef of it
and sense of it
and
co-ordinate
congratulate
and tender loving care
and the stuff of it
the
tea and egg of it
the walkie talkie and the crazy bits of it
whatever -
we’ll
be there
yes
we’ll be there
we’ll
be there
clouds clapping
clouds clapping and the beer flows
my poetry has thoughts and where the drumming goes
we are in the midst of blue
the
ha ha of the green
we applause the bacon butty
we
soak the scene
anything else is not applicable
so
just look around
see the clouds clapping
and
know its breakfast sound
safe six – the checkin’ rap (commission for washarts cic)
new space – safe six –
new neighbours – wash arts
radhuni restaurant
take-aways
taxi rank
moznu tattoos mish mash
meeting folk
thanks all - affordable
space open – bottom end
thanks all affordable space open – bottom end
new space
– safe six – new neighbours – wash arts
moznu tattoos
mish mash
meeting folk
radhuni restaurant
– take-aways
taxi rank radhuni restaurant
take-aways taxi rank
moznu tattoos
mish mash meeting folk
thanks all
affordable space open – bottom end
new space – safe six – new
neighbours – wash arts
moznu tattoos
mish mash meeting folk
thanks all affordable
space open – bottom end
new space –
safe six – new neighbours – wash arts
radhuni restaurant
take-aways taxi rank
safe six washarts
like life’s dependent
(written and performed at Carnegie Centre. Stapleford in aid of the Mayor's charities)
stapleford’s been at the drink again
i wonder if the mayor’s in on it too…
the liquid’s getting slurped down like a drain
they’re drinking like life’s dependent –
yes it’s true
i wonder if the mayor’s in on it too
he seems to like a tipple of the brown
two sugars – one with milk – and the brew
of tea is coming up – just hang around
the liquid’s getting slurped down like a drain
the biscuits getting munched are shining gold
someone’s licking off the chocolate again
let’s tot the figures up to what we’ve sold
they’re drinking like life’s dependent –
yes it’s true
i wonder if the mayor’s in on it too…
the trails of creative (for the S010 festival 2010
it’s not so so - it’s so much ten
what happens now won’t happen again
and what happens in future will never be same
as what’s brought in by artists in skegness’ name
let me explain – this year’s attractives blows dust from the trees
the coloured up pavements that dazzles to see
the trails of creative – creatively trail
through hut out on pier on grand or small scale
so it’s so ten – not so so – so hold back the sea
let neptune keep snoring – between you and me
skegness’ new birthing is glowing in pink
what washing needs doing can steep in the sink
each day offers its voice up (with depth and with wit)
what rainclouds drift over may sozzle and spit
so so-ten ain’t so so and next year will be…
rising fresh like an ice cream that’s slurped by the sea
for the rnli (at skegness) - during SO festival
so when the sun is out – we’ll be too
and it’s throwing down and you’re wet through
we’ll be out at sea – our lifeboat crew
picking you out of the waves
on land we’re daft – we need the jokes
we test the stuff with jabs and pokes
and where there’s life – there’s always hope
keep giving your money and quick
no wages here - survived on wits
donations come in bits and bits
fivers if you can – no counterfeits
we’re waiting in need of your help
we’re skegness bound – the local salt
gets in our eyes and down the throat
though we fool around and act the goat
our work works us hard – that’s the truth
you’ve buckets and spades – we’ve boats and sails
we can tell you some scary hair raising tales
and even if you’ve been swallowed by whales
we’ll be in five minutes or less
no wages here - survived on wits
donations come in bits and bits
fivers if you can – no counterfeits
we’re waiting in need of your help
the education tree (for school project in malawi)
education fingers in the soil
each finds the nourishment and then reacts
the skeins of knowledge (though wrapped in coils)
spring out in watered streams (burst from their traps)
each finds the nourishment and then reacts
the stepping stones are walks towards a feast
of words (wearing the daftest kinds of hats)
the growth of learning pushes up its yeast
the skeins of knowledge (though wrapped in coils)
meander up the river (banked with hope)
what was a rusty wish takes on its oils
each tree root stretched as tightly woven rope
carve its face with pride – let the pumpkin hold a smile
make a stir – add some hair – and stack in scary rows -
and
the wind it whistles through us o
the pumpkin’s merry dance (for pumpkin day - dig-in)
carve its face with pride – let the pumpkin hold a smile
the orange head has always said – don’t hang about a while
get on with it and cause a hit – put candles in the nose
make a stir – add some hair – and stack in scary rows -
yikes!
here we go round the pumpkin – o
the pumpkin o
the pumpkin o
the wind it whistles through us o
for pumpkin day is yawning
watch the flicker snicker – giggle with delight
hold the pumpkin high enough – set the night alight
take its guts for soupy stuff – soak it in a crust
pepper in and gloop around – salt it if you must
but…
here we go round the pumpkin – o
the pumpkin o
the pumpkin o
the wind it whistles through us o
for pumpkin day is yawning
trick or treat – take a seat – feel the frost a nipping
the pumpkin head – is glowing red – its season we’re a sipping
warm up the knees – before they freeze and jig a merry dance
and spread the news – and let the blues of time tick off their sands
and
here we go round the pumpkin – o
the pumpkin o
the pumpkin o
for pumpkin day is yawning
once again…
here we go round the pumpkin – o
the pumpkin o
the pumpkin o
the wind it whistles through us o
for pumpkin day is yawning
giving the earth a rest - for greening beeston)
don't overfill the water mark - when you're boiling
you'll save the pounds (well i'll be bound!) and jump for joying
the thermostat - turn down a tad - you'll see the saving
o give it a rest o do
turn off the taps when brushing teeth stop wasting water
at shower time - scrub off the grime - one minute less dear
seal the gaps - doors and flaps - keep it warmer
o give it a rest o do
have some fun - now you've done what you ought-ta
celebrate - share a cake with sons and daughters
count the cash - you've saved a stash - you never thought-a
you could save it - by giving it a rest - thank you
for the level ones - a poetic memento for the btcv students
we work the seasons - see the seasons work
we pull out stuff and talk of greener times
the planting of the hawthorn rips the shirts
but settles in to earth's sod in the grime
we pull out stuff and talk of greener times
we build and paint and measure up the size
that's needed for the path that finds the hide
that shades among the the willow (and the flies!)
though planting of the hawthorn rips the shirts
the watching and the seeing glows up bright
what season took before now shows her burst
our team worked winter's dark and spring's delight
we settled in to earth's sod and the grime
we pulled out stuff and talked of greener times
september’s lips (for apple day)
no need to grapple with the apple – see the core adored
the oranges have some appeal – but when the apples fall
there’ll be cider for the making – there’ll be bobbings still to come
there’ll be crumble in the offing – there’ll be pudding and some
more ideas in the offing – pies and pastries and the like
there’ll be sauces with the dinner (then followed by a hike
round the countryside around us) – watch for crab apples too
mix them with the blackberries – but don’t get in a stew
and start grappling with the apple – there’s lots of them out there
try apples for your kneepads or wear apples in your hair
try working on an apple – it’s quite pc you know
plant apples in your orchard and see the sunshine glow
and catch the season’s harvest – listen for the pips
taste the apples’ sweetness on september’s lips
safe haven now
(for women's aid)
safe haven now - sanctuary at last
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles
where i seek my moment from out the past
the hope chirps up and grins along for miles
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles
what darkness irks the thoughts - taps softer - still
and now that i can sit in peace a while
time helps me climb - gets me up those steeper hills
where i seek my moment from out the past
the future glows - life's fingers scratch the itch
life knows its way (though sometimes whirls too fast)
paths keep coming up but how to choose and which!
the hope chirps up and grins along for miles
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles
giving the earth a rest - for greening beeston)
don't overfill the water mark - when you're boiling
you'll save the pounds (well i'll be bound!) and jump for joying
the thermostat - turn down a tad - you'll see the saving
o give it a rest o do
turn off the taps when brushing teeth stop wasting water
at shower time - scrub off the grime - one minute less dear
seal the gaps - doors and flaps - keep it warmer
o give it a rest o do
have some fun - now you've done what you ought-ta
celebrate - share a cake with sons and daughters
count the cash - you've saved a stash - you never thought-a
you could save it - by giving it a rest - thank you
for the level ones - a poetic memento for the btcv students
we work the seasons - see the seasons work
we pull out stuff and talk of greener times
the planting of the hawthorn rips the shirts
but settles in to earth's sod in the grime
we pull out stuff and talk of greener times
we build and paint and measure up the size
that's needed for the path that finds the hide
that shades among the the willow (and the flies!)
though planting of the hawthorn rips the shirts
the watching and the seeing glows up bright
what season took before now shows her burst
our team worked winter's dark and spring's delight
we settled in to earth's sod and the grime
we pulled out stuff and talked of greener times
september’s lips (for apple day)
no need to grapple with the apple – see the core adored
the oranges have some appeal – but when the apples fall
there’ll be cider for the making – there’ll be bobbings still to come
there’ll be crumble in the offing – there’ll be pudding and some
more ideas in the offing – pies and pastries and the like
there’ll be sauces with the dinner (then followed by a hike
round the countryside around us) – watch for crab apples too
mix them with the blackberries – but don’t get in a stew
and start grappling with the apple – there’s lots of them out there
try apples for your kneepads or wear apples in your hair
try working on an apple – it’s quite pc you know
plant apples in your orchard and see the sunshine glow
and catch the season’s harvest – listen for the pips
taste the apples’ sweetness on september’s lips
safe haven now
(for women's aid)
safe haven now - sanctuary at last
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles
where i seek my moment from out the past
the hope chirps up and grins along for miles
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles
what darkness irks the thoughts - taps softer - still
and now that i can sit in peace a while
time helps me climb - gets me up those steeper hills
where i seek my moment from out the past
the future glows - life's fingers scratch the itch
life knows its way (though sometimes whirls too fast)
paths keep coming up but how to choose and which!
the hope chirps up and grins along for miles
the door that's open - sees me in and smiles