Got to pick a Poet or Two by Mo

Last night I accompanied Jane from the Renegade writers to Nellies Pub in Beverley to what turned out to be a terrific night of competitive poetry readings. Ten years ago I'd be ribbed and teased.

My mates would have said "you're going soft" to have spent the evening in front of a roaring fire listening to poetry in one of the oldest pubs in England. . But strike me down if I didn't have a fantastic time! Nellies upstairs room was full to the brim so I took my place and eagerly awaited the readings surrounded by maybe forty or fifty poets.

And this was a competition, so folks must have been a little tense to start with. The first contestant made his way to the front. Each contestant was allowed five minutes to read their work, with a whistle to mark time up. If my memory still serves me (I did down at least 3 pints of bitter) that means there must have been about twenty readings in all. Standing in front of a large hearth fire, with only a lamp, some papers from which to read and facing this large audience was something I myself would prefer to avoid.

But these weren't ordinary people and this was no ordinary pub. One could almost feel the generations who had passed through this place in times gone by, through the weathered high beams lit up by this generous fire. I can't critique the poetry for you, I'm just not qualified but from an average punters eyes I thought it was wonderful to see poetry come alive through its authors. The work was quite stunning to hear. It's personal, it's direct, and it's about human lives, tragedy, humour, sexuality, politics, all the experiences that shape their words.

As the reader takes their place, you can hear a pin drop. Mothers, fathers, sisters, sons are silent in anticipation with all ears pricked towards the front. That's my cue to take my picture and despite its distracting flash I even took some video to show you what its like. The competition was tough, these poets kept our full attention for the whole night long, and I thought to myself how long it's taken me to experience the beauty in this event and to actually come and see.

Maybe it's the timeless setting or perhaps just their vulnerability, as they joust with words to play and tempt every imagination. I was captured and pulled in a plethora of directions. What a night this turned out to be. With a break between to refill and pee, one after another, members of the audience rose to their roll call and gave us an absolute treat. Judging between them would be a crime as they were all so good but there was one winner, no one can deny that it was all of us. Thanks to all the performers for a great night.

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