Poetry reading at No Alibis Bookstore, Belfast, Northern Ireland 06 Dec 2016

I had a great time tonight reading my poetry at No Alibis Bookstore here in Belfast. No Alibis is an independent bookstore in its 20th year run by Dave Torrance and his wonderful team. Stephen Connelly acted as MC and introduced Andy Eaton, the first poet of the night. Andy and I had met before at the Lit Up Inside event in September, but this was the first time I heard him read from his new collection Sprung Nocturne. I loved his stark, haunting words and although it was a full audience of 50 in the shop, they were completely silent and receptive to his every word. I was particularly moved by a poem he had written about his grandfather who had been a POW in Indonesia.

Afterwards it was my turn, I moved from the front row to the lectern on stage. From where I stood, I could make out the silhouettes of the audience. I opened with Functioning, and did five more poems, before it was time for some music from Darkling Air. Dave had said they were good, but he didn't say how good. Rachel McCarthy has a truly beautiful, evocative voice, and it's paired perfectly with the wonderful keys from Michael Keeney. I don't think they realise how good they are. They were really mesmerising. After they gave us some songs from their album Untamed and Beloved, I was back on for my second half. I had so much fun. Although I've said many of these poems continuously through the course of readings during this year (and loved every minute of it) I was aware that, because, this was my first time reading my own words in Belfast, it was being heard for the first time by the audience. Once I'd finished we had more poems from Andy, who read us two new pieces to close. The Darkling Air then rounded off the evening with some more beautiful music.

Afterwards I got to chat with members of the audience and sign copies of The Lock And The Key and Rocking Underground. I was overwhelmed with their positive feedback, glad the night had been as electric for them as it had been for me.

I spoke to one lady who said she had enjoyed the new unpublished poem I had read. She also told me that she had been using some of my poems at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast for workshops with adults recovering from cancer. I was incredibly moved and honoured that my work could be of service in that way. Surely, the purpose of art is to be of service, to move its audience in some way. I bought a copy of Darkling Airs album, Untamed and Beloved, (great name no?) and also Andy Eaton's collection Sprung Nocturne.

Also in attendance were Sir Van Morrison and Kerry Adamson, two dear people who have been so supportive and encouraging of my work and who have become friends. Being one of my creative hero’s, I’m honoured whenever Sir Van has attended one of my readings. And it was because he asked me to read his lyrics at the Lit Up Inside/Aspects Festival that I became acquainted with No Alibis. At the Lit Up Inside event I also met Dr.Eamonn Hughes, and it was great to catch up with him at the reading. Eamonn and I are also collaborating on a project for the BBC which will be out next year.

Later on we all headed to local French restaurant L’Etoile, that had a relaxed, welcoming vibe. We hung out and chatted till midnight talking music, poetry, books and travel. Dave impressed everybody when he announced he’d once found a first edition of Ulysses in Colorado.

I truly feel so lucky and grateful that I get to do what I love, and share it with new people all over the world, from all walks of life, and have the privileged to meet such talented artists.

No Alibi presented me with a hardback book of my collected works, both Rocking Underground and The Lock And The Key in one binding. The front cover papers were designs by Frank Lloyd Wright and the binding had been done by Liam McLaughun, a craftsman local to Belfast who had learnt the trade when he was sixteen, and has bound books for the Vatican. I was blown away by such a beautiful gesture.

No Alibi are passionate, their ethos and commitment remind me of our friends over at Shakespeare and Company. People who believe in craft and literature and nurture new, emerging talent. I can’t wait to return.