Hi Poets,

Spoken Word Night is returning after our summer break! Our first open mic is Wednesday 15th October at 7 pm, in the East Quay Kitchen. This month's guest speaker will be Bradley Taylor. The invitational theme is What comes crawling out of the dark?

October is both typified by harvest time, a period of abundance and transformation, and the stepping stone towards darker months to come. It can be a time for reaping the rewards of hard work, reaching fulfillment and finding balance. And with the celebration of Samhain, it is a spiritual time when the veil between worlds is thin, and spirits may walk among us. You could write about your own journey out of the dark, or another's. It could be fantastical, political, historical, nostalgic, or sentimental. I look forward to your interpretations.

Poetry Prompt: (It's actually song lyrics this time, but music is poetry, no?)

October Sun

Take my rod down to the sea
And then catch some fish for you and me
There's a black cloud swirls above the bay
Like a bad dream that never goes away

Rise up and please don't wake the crew
Fetch a lifeboat just for me and you
There's an ill wind that blows across this day
Like a bad dream that never goes away

Michael, Peter, Mark and John
Please forgive me for I have done you wrong
I sense evil, I fear it here today
Like a bad dream that never goes away

It's a clear, bright and harsh October sun
Lights me up so I've nowhere left to run
I feel scared I have so much debt to pay
Like a bad dream that never goes away

Michael, Peter, Mark and John
Please forgive me for I have done you wrong
I sense evil, I fear it here today
Like a bad dream that never goes away

It's a clear, bright and harsh October sun
Lights me up so I've nowhere left to run
I feel scared I have so much debt to pay
Like a bad dream that never goes away
Like a bad dream that never goes away

Introducing Bradley:

Bradley Taylor is an award-winning poet born and based in Birmingham. In 2024 he won the Roundhouse Poetry Slam, the night of which was the biggest poetry slam in history. In 2025 he released his debut collection ‘You Missed The Best Part’ before embarking on a nationwide tour.


Bradley has appeared at the Hay Festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Inspirational Youth Awards, on BBC News and on BBC Radio 6 Music in which Craig Charles described him as ‘A brand new voice and a fresh perspective on the art of poetry and performance’.


He writes for, and about, people.

You can find Bradley on Instagram: @bradleytaylorpoet

How the evening works:

· Open Mic Sign Up opens from 6:45pm for a 7pm start.

· MC Introduction and Guest Set

· Open Mic - 2 poems each (but bring a 3rd in case we have time for more)

· Please give trigger warnings for any topics that listeners may find upsetting.

· I shall close the evening and tell you what’s happening next month!

Got an idea for a guest poet you’d love to see perform? I'd love to hear it!

Get in touch via my email or social media channels.

I can't wait to hear what you've been working on!