Poetry Breakfast, September 2026

Poetry Breakfast – Earth, Wind and Fire

Typically, the Poetry Breakfast proceedings began with Mogs: his uproarious take on Earth, the former planet Pluto and Wind (I need not elaborate). Elaine’s set of three began with the beauty beauty of the earth (a topic later taken up by Anne and more individually, Lindsey). The devastation in the south of the borough, after the hottest summer on record, was vividly conveyed to us by Anne. The remediating power of rain was Lindsey’s contribution, demonstrating the effectiveness of simplicity – a lovely short poem. Alan took each of these classical elements in turn, showing the usefulness, and then their threat.

We were privileged to hear from previous headliner Rosie Mitchell. She used the occasion, appropriately, to explore grief. She is an absolute performance poet, using the theatrical possibilities of the art form to their fullest extent. She collaborated later with Jay Rose Ana, guest poet for the day.

I will save Jay Rose for later in the week, when I have her most-recent book. Sufficient for now to say that her poetry can pierce at a fundamental level. These verses communicate energy – and change. That was also the case with Steven (J Davis), one of several poets who spoke of gardens in the context of Earth, Wind and Fire. Steve used this as metaphor for ourselves, our allotted time where we can create order and purpose and so flourish. John Keats’ remark that Poets are the true legislators never seemed truer to me than this morning, with such a call to action by both poets.

Steve’s writing-partner Shadow used their poem Dreamcatcher to tell the story of our planet’s physical creation.

When red-hot fire and raging water
Were a father and a daughter.

These and following couplets Shadow chanted with intensifying passion. If anything would lead me to the barricades, this would.

The second half was set going by a singer with an electric guitar. This was Nick Firmen, a visiting Londoner, who boldly broached the entire novelty of music as part of the Breakfast. Opinions will differ as to how such performance integrates with Spoken Word but there was no doubting the tingling alertness, we felt when rock gave place to poetry.

The occasion had begun with humour; so it ended. Beth’s rhymed account of her struggle to complete a poem in time for the Breakfast made reference to some of us by name. Jay Lewis is a skilled humourist; that is his style as presenter. His poetry, observations on our gritty West Midland world rendered with wit – frequently strikes a profound, sometimes lyrical note – as was the case with his poem ‘Blackberrying’, about finding a place within the city where fruitful brambles grew.

So… the next breakfast will take place on 17th October. There has been some discussion about the theme. We have settled with headliner Lee Benson’s choice, Birthday.