The Isle of Man Poetry Society meets once a month for members to share and enjoy their latest creations and finds.
The society’s, chairman Bethany de Legh-Runciman, explained the sessions – held on the third Sunday of the month at the Archibald Knox Pub’s function room, in Onchan - were very informal.
‘They involve people sharing poetry, either their own or from books, or sit back and listen. There is no obligation to speak,’ she said.
When asked why she likes poetry as a form of expression, Bethany replied with a poem:
It succinctly uses language
To evoke thoughts and passion.
Its metre is beauty, its rhythm excites......
Performed for an audience
Images are woven to capture all poets
Whether ninety-nine or nine!!
She said a recent highlight was ‘poetry bombing’ Peel in the rain as part of the 2015 Western Open Studio Art Trail (WOSAT).
The society was formed in 2000 by Robert Peel as chairman, Denys Drower, Roly Drower, Jeff Garland, Carol Jempson, Paul Jempson, Vinty Kneale and Richard Rake.
Its aim is to promote poetry in the island through regular meetings and various events, plus regular printed anthologies of members poems.
There are about 50 members. New members do not need any previous experience and will not be made to read aloud.
Monthly meetings start at 7.30pm. The next one takes place on February 21, which is also the society’s AGM.
Upcoming events in the group’s calendar include World Poetry Day on Monday, March 21, while April is ‘write a poem a day’ month.
Manx LitFest returns in September and there will be a Poetry Trail 2016. Entry forms will be available from June in libraries.
Subscription costs £10 per year (£5 for concessions).
This includes publication of members’ poems in an anthology, which is published up to four times a year.
For more information see the Isle of Man Poetry Society Facebook page. Contact the society on poetry@manxcat.org.uk or 481792.