At our Women Aloud poetry meeting this week we were looking at autobiographical poems ( a term I infinitely prefer to "confessional poetry"!) and the conversation inevitably turned to the topic of "factual" truth and "emotional" truth. I'd been thinking around this a lot lately, a great friend of mine having sent me a poem he'd written about a very significant event in my life in which he too had been involved. It was far from an "accurate" account of the actual occurrence, but was imbued with his feelings about the event and associated, but chronologically removed, happenings - and it was much the stronger for that collation of timings and emotions. In no way did it invalidate the "truth" of the poem.
Which brings me on to the theme of this year's Cheltenham Poetry Festival - yes, Truth! If you haven't already seen the programme, do check it out - there's ten days worth of talks, readings, workshops and slams which should suit all tastes. It runs from April 25th to May 4th. I shall be reading with Women Aloud at The Playhouse on Sunday April 28th at 14.00 and again with the Cheltenham Poetry Festival Players on Wednesday May 1st at 20.30 at the same venue. It would be great to see you there!
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