Blog
Review of Butterfly Valley by Sherko Bekas
Here is Katrina’s review of Butterfly Valley by Sherko Bekas. Bekas’s collection is translated by the Kurdish poet, Choman Hardi. The review, entitled ‘What Generous Pain’ is published by Modern Poetry in Translation. Butterfly Valley is published by Arc Publications as a bilingual Kurdish-English collection. Katrina regularly reviews for Modern Poetry in Translation, among other poetry journals.
Katrina’s latest news
If you would like to receive Katrina’s latest news each month, sign up for Katrina’s poetry newsletter, ‘short & sweet’. You can read the November issue of ‘short & sweet’ here. Each ‘short & sweet’ contains the latest news about forthcoming workshops, readings and other events. Katrina also chooses a poetry collection each month and writes about opportunities for writers, including competitions and residencies. It’s quick and easy to sign up for Katrina’s newsletter, here.
Forthcoming events
Katrina’s readings, workshops and other events are updated regularly: 7 November – Poetry workshop with Penzance Women’s Aid. By invitation only. 12 November – Japanese Poetry Workshop for Indian Kings Poets. FULL. 24 November – ‘The Young Americans’ – workshop on Terrance Hayes, Danez Smith and Ocean Vuong at Cornwall Contemporary Poetry Festival in Falmouth And for 2019, the following are confirmed to date 14 January – Reading at Loose Muse Winchester, The Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester, Hants SO23 8SB. 7.30-9.30. £6 on the door. 2 March – Bristol – A Japanese-themed day poetry workshop, 10.30 to 4.30, at Hours in Bristol. £50. book here or email vikis@btinternet.com Plus evening reading in Bristol at Hours with open mic. £3. Hours is at 10 Colston Yard, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BD. 2 May – Reading at Shrewsbury Poetry, St Nicholas Cafe Bar, 24 Castle Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 2BQ, 7.30 – 10, with Emily Wilkinson, further details here. 19-23 August – co-tutoring ‘The Personal and the Political’ poetry residential course at Ty Newydd, with Deryn Rees-Jones, click here to find out more or to book. Guest reader is Mona Arshi. Arvon – Katrina will also be running a residential course for Arvon in 2019
Tutor on The Personal and the Political at Ty Newydd
Katrina is tutor on The Personal and the Political at Ty Newydd in August 2019. Katrina will be running The Personal and the Political poetry course with tutor Deryn Rees-Jones from 19 to 24 August 2019. Mona Arshi will be guest tutor. The course will consider ways of writing in response to the current political situation, as well as how to respond to issues that affect us directly. The course is open to all from those new to poetry, to those who have been writing for a while. There will be plenty of workshops, everyone will receive a one-to-one session with both tutors, and there will be plenty of time to get on with your own writing, and to explore the wonderful countryside. Both Katrina and Deryn are experienced tutors. Click here for more information on the tutors.
Katrina interviewed by Literature Works
Katrina is interviewed by Literature Works here. In the interview, Katrina talks about her BBC commissioned poem and film for National Poetry Day, why she feels that poetry can lead to change and about the poetry scene in Cornwall. Finally, she discusses what she is currently working on, including a new collection and a new pamphlet. Read the interview here. Katrina was interviewed by Literature Works to coincide with her BBC commission for National Poetry Day. Literature Works is the regional literature development organisation for the South West.
Countrywoman a BBC commissioned poem for national poetry day
Countrywoman It’s over, I know that. But the grasses against my legs are my lover’s hands, the wind, his voice, urging me on. Part of me wanted to be found with him, for it all to break open. And there’s my boy, Callum. I’ve always upset things, can’t help myself. I run the dogs along Tredinney like how they push on, ignoring the hedges they’ll never scramble over, have no sense of shame, just follow their noses. I did that once – an affair with another farmer. I can see what a good person is. We’d walk our dogs here up to Bartinney, his Collie, my Jack Russells. I can almost see his farm from here, his Jeep, his Massey. I ran away from my family – twenty generations of farming. I ran away and towards. I’ve no regrets. Change is good. I look out on the land, decide which path to take down. I know my way. I’m a countrywoman. Trevesiges ov vy. Katrina Naomi The poem ‘Countrywoman’ was commissioned by BBC local radio, working in partnership with national poetry day. It is written in