A lovely launch of the bookshop, champagne and all, though we chose to drink it rather than smash it over the shelves… and a star reading from Glasgow Poet Laureate Jim Carruth, moving and emotional work from Hazel Frew and a great performance from Mark Russell, who had us all in stitches. I especially enjoyed hearing Juana Adcock read her contributions from a previous four fold, and some of her magic “Spanglish” poems in Spanish and English. Kathrine has done a beautiful job with the shop, and though it was emotional to wave it off, I know it is sailing in safe hands. Below is one of my poems from four fold – to read the other three, you’ll have to buy the magazine from tell it slant! Special thanks to the McAteer clan who came down and entertained everyone with music into the wee small hours! The new site for the shop, designed beautifully by Kathrine, is at: http://tellitslantbookshop.wordpress.com/

River Song 3

I am Willow                        cried myself dry
thicker than                       skin        sharp     and holy
all my soft                           parts                      eaten away

insides rotting                  still        grow leaves

shelter you         drink     eat sunlight

everybody          comes                   to me
carves their        name                    in my hide
makes their        home                    in my head

All photo credits: Kathrine Sowerby.