A few weeks ago I got an offer to be a part of something really fun. “How would you like to do the Anti Slam, a competition where poets stand up in front of judges and, instead of trying to do the best they can, they try to be laughably, gloriously shit and lose”. “Easy!”Continue reading “The Anti Slam: How Crap Poetry Taught Me the Point of Spoken Word”
Author Archives: Rowan The Poet
Writing Poems for Hallmark: A Polite Exchange
Creative Opportunities (creative-opportunities@hallmark-uk.com) Add to contacts 23/04/2014 To: rowanmccabe6@hotmail.co.uk Hi Rowan, Thanks for sending us your work, we enjoyed looking through it. We’re always looking for new talent so I really appreciate you taking the time to think of us and giving us the opportunity to see it. Unfortunately the styles you’veContinue reading “Writing Poems for Hallmark: A Polite Exchange”
Banned From Geordieland
A crowd of terraced houses with pasty pink faces turned their backs on me and I became a jigsaw piece in the wrong box. Cos’ I didn’t say “reet” quite as often as I should; cos’ I didn’t play football on a desolate field at weekends. From the school’s yard to that street on WalshyContinue reading “Banned From Geordieland”
An Open Letter to Aloe Blacc
Dear Mr. Blacc, A few years ago I heard your song “I Need A Dollar” and was deeply saddened by the difficult situation you described. I am also a big drinker of wine, although I think whiskey tastes a bit like hot metal. I was writing to let you know I have recently came intoContinue reading “An Open Letter to Aloe Blacc”
The Real Life Mr. Hanky: Barcelona’s Christmas Poo
As it’s the festive season and all that, I thought I’d show you something really strange I found in Barcelona last summer. El Caganer, literally translated as “the crapper”, is a Christmas character who’s been part of Catalan culture for over 400 years. He’s often depicted as a peasant, wearing his traditional Catalan red hatContinue reading “The Real Life Mr. Hanky: Barcelona’s Christmas Poo”
“You Can’t See the Wood for the Yellowy Nylon”: A Fluorescent Jacket Too Far…
Is it just me or are there far too many fluorescent jackets everywhere you go? I work part-time in a primary school and whenever we take the kids out on a trip they all have to be wearing that most beloved of health and safety uniforms. First of all, why on earth they need toContinue reading ““You Can’t See the Wood for the Yellowy Nylon”: A Fluorescent Jacket Too Far…”
The Dark and Sinister Truth About Justin Bieber
I write this in fear that I may be assassinated, for I am truly the definition of a man who knows too much. But I have no choice but to continue! A sense of moral conviction urges me to reveal to the world the dark truth I’ve learned about Justin Bieber. You’ll find one ofContinue reading “The Dark and Sinister Truth About Justin Bieber”
Getting Away From It All with Simon Mole
I’m really excited to announce I’ll be shadowing MC and spoken word performer Simon Mole as he runs a workshop at ARC in Stockton on the 16th of August. He’s a really talented performer who mixes theatre and rap together and he’s equally well-known in the world of UK hip hop as he is inContinue reading “Getting Away From It All with Simon Mole”
Review: Jibba Jabba 25/07/13 @ The Cumberland Arms
It’s about 30 degrees and I’m crammed in a crowded, darkened room. The sweat is pouring from my face into a puddle on the floor and we’re all listening to a woman with tarot cards explain a mysterious Hindu proverb. You’d be excused for thinking I’m in the Far East, but I’m not. I’m justContinue reading “Review: Jibba Jabba 25/07/13 @ The Cumberland Arms”
Geordie Sore
Last year I met a top notch poet called Ben Norris while we were doing a slam in Bristol. In jest, he mentioned that it was hard to get his head around the difference between the way I looked and the way I talked. I was wearing a suit at the time, with a waistcoat,Continue reading “Geordie Sore”
Rowan McCabe 