Patric Cunnane performs poetry at readings, cabarets and festivals. His latest collection is Baltimore
He began writing stories four years ago and is a founder member of Porcupine writers´ group which holds monthly meetings to discuss the members´ new stories.
His poems have appeared in many publications including The Guardian and have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Two poems appeared in Velocity - the Best of Apples and Snakes, selected by The Independent as among the 10 best poetry collections of the year. Patric also MCs for Apples & Snakes shows.
He organises regular readings to promote new and established poets through his poetry organisation, Dodo Modern Poets. DMP has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, the St Ives Literature Festival, the Hastings Festival and many others including a number of Dylan Thomas inspired nights in Laugharne, South Wales. A regular DMP evening takes place at the Poetry Society in Covent Garden. (For details go to www.poetrysociety.org.uk). In October 2007 the group presented a gala evening at New Wimbledon Studio Theatre as part of the first Wimbledon Bookfest. The evening was successful and they will be returning to the Bookfest at the same venue on 5 October 2008.
Patric ran a workshop on performance poetry in the New Forest. He has worked with elderly groups in day care centres in the London Borough of Merton and with schools in the same borough as part of the Big Arts project for several years running. He ran a poetry workshop for Merton´s arts festival for adults with learning difficulties.
He supplements his arts income from regular work as a journalist. He lives in Colliers Wood, South London.
CONTACT
Patric.poet@zen.co.uk
T. 0044 (0)208 687 1930 MOB: 07769 777022
108 Sheldrick Close, London, SW19 2UH.
Keith has real earth under his nails
And he knows where it comes from
Look, he says, producing a handful of fine soil
As we choose spuds, You know they´re going
To be right when they´re grown in this
A sack of carrots brings dew to his eyes
Mr Wright, he says, was growing these in the Fens
When I was a boy
Keith says the weather has been slow for fruit
Last year the chaffinches in his garden
Hatched twice by now
A bottle of juice from the orchard
Completes our shop. Keith throws in
A bit extra because he´s a decent sort.
Can you use a loaf, some mushrooms?
That night we eat Keith´s veg, well buttered
Food that tastes of seasons, that comes
From somewhere not too far away
Flavours emerging through a slow-cooked perfect day
20 March 2006