I’ve been a fan of John Siddique’s poetry for some time, that lovely mix of sexiness, playfulness and joy of beauty which doesn’t hide the more serious undercurrents of a writer who wants to help make a better world. It was a great pleasure to get to know him a bit better in Canterbury recently, and to find the person and the writer are the same (which doesn’t always happen).
And so I was really pleased when he agreed to finish my five sentences for me. Do visit his website to find out more, there are some great recordings he’s done of several poems. And you can buy his latest book, Full Blood, which I would thoroughly recommend via this page. Here are his sentences…
When I was small, I wanted to be: an astronaut. I grew up on a diet of Dr. Who and Star Trek and can remember watching the first moon landing when I was four and a half. This mix left quite an impression on me. Even now when I try something new I think to myself ‘Go Boldly’
You may not say it aloud but: I’m a hell of a cook.
The last time you went ‘WOOP’ with excitement was when: I saw my ‘poem in light’ public art commission illuminate the ancient walls of Canterbury. I sometimes work with the lovely people at Workers of Art who trust me to put literature out in the world right under people’s noses. We work very hard to make real art that is inclusive without ever lowering its sights.
Something that never fails to give you inspiration is : my wife’s face first thing in the morning. I know I’m an old romantic but I like to wake up first and spend some time in wonder at her gorgeousness. If you’re after a more literary response to this thought of inspiration I’d say reading Pablo Neruda, and having an ongoing conversation with him through my own work is my great work.
Your five favourite words are: Yes, Aspidistra, Building, Coil, and a cheat of two words ‘Soft Verges’. Mostly because of the music of the sound of the words themselves.. Bill Ding.. For example. The resonance the word Coil makes inside oneself. Yes for the joy of it, and Soft Verges just gets me where I live erotically. Language is so sexy. Whenever I see a road sign with this on it it makes me sigh out loud.
Thank you, John! And to show my appreciation here’s a present for you. Sigh…
Other Five Sentences:
* With Clare Best.
* With Scott Pack.
* With Jonathan Pinnock.
How lovely this is, the two of you, together, Canterburying, talking poetry and joy and changing the world -and soft verges! Thank you for this!
Aw thanks Tania, and you must come to Kent and do some Canterburying too… love that as a verb!
It was very lovely to meet you Sarah, and great to be Canterburying.. Thank you for asking me to do this. It was great fun to do.
And you, John. Looking forward to next year now!
Wonderful. I particularly like ‘soft verges’. I’ll never look at road signs in the same way.
We need a road sign thread…. I like the umbrella one myself.
…lovely stuff…
J