Lost Among Equals

Well; it's writing of a sort.

2010-07-28T15:58:00.003+01:00

Within the next few days I should be getting my first proofreading assignment; unfortunately the work won't be regular - just on an ad hoc basis. At least I'll be earning a bit of money though.

Update, July 2010

2010-07-17T12:54:00.002+01:00

Things have been unusually quiet for the last six months; I've not been writing a lot really, but have sent off several dozen poems to magazines. I've received a few rejection slips, but I've still not heard from several editors.

Some good news: my scanner is working again, so I'll be able to continue posting scans of the front covers of publications in which my work appears.

Some venues where I've performed my poetry

2010-01-21T19:21:00.003Z

Otley Arts Festival 1992

Doncaster Literature Festival 1992

Dean Clough Arts Centre, Halifax

Another of my poems that's just appeared online.

2009-10-30T16:12:00.000Z

Here's the link

http://www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=20444

Candelabrum October 2009

2009-10-15T13:01:00.002+01:00

What have my blog visitors been searching for?

2009-09-14T14:28:00.003+01:00

Using the keyword analysis provided by StatCounter, here are some of the more unusual terms.

What equals 64?
What letter equals the number 6?
3 line bio
What number equals 49
Lost 4th dimension.

I think they might have been disappointed.

Dylan Thomas

2009-08-23T11:04:00.003+01:00

Here's a link to a friend's webpage; he's a songwriter and lists myself and Dylan Thomas as his influences.

www.myspace.com/howardrowe

Presence 38

2009-05-07T12:36:00.004+01:00

This magazine doesn't even have a title.

2009-04-27T14:08:00.002+01:00

Horace

2009-04-14T18:46:00.002+01:00

This is actually how my poem appeared in the magazine, in the top right corner of the page. I maybe should have placed the page at an angle whwn I was scanning it.

Horace

2009-04-14T12:35:00.002+01:00

I've just made two attempts to upload scans of my poems in a magazine called 'Horace' which I only received this morning although it seems to have been published last year. I'll have another go with the scans tomorrow at the library.

Writers' Workshop

2009-02-15T18:44:00.002Z

The writers' workshop which I'm leading at the community centre at Rossington has been going for four weeks now. At the moment there are three regular attendees; I'd prefer a few more, but it's enough.

So far we've done one writing exercise, from which I produced a poem which I'll be able to submit for publication.

Words that I'd use to describe my poetry.

2009-02-11T15:10:00.004Z

minimalist
imagist
ludic
staccato
onomatopoetic
situational
'what if?'
wordplay

It passes the time

2009-01-30T18:40:00.000Z

I've spent the morning at Rossington leading the writers' workshop. The bus journey back into town takes twenty minutes and so I passed the time by writing this short poem.

NIGHT OUT
He noticed the sign that read
'No glasses beyond this point.'
He didn't see the next one though.

A busy start to the New Year

2009-01-29T12:40:00.002Z

I estimate I must have posted off my poems to about twenty magazines so far this month. Already six of my short poems have been accepted for publication by Presence magazine.

Performance Venues

2008-10-13T09:28:00.002+01:00

It's been several years since I last did a poetry reading or led a workshop. I'm just recalling the venues where I've read or been involved with a workshop.

DARTS Community Arts, Doncaster
Alcohol Services, Doncaster
MIND [mental health charity], Doncaster
Poacher's Inn, Rossington, Doncaster
The Leopard [pub], Doncaster
Goldthorpe Library, Rotherham
A pub at Otley, Leeds
Dean Clogh Arts Centre, Halifax
Sheffield Hallam University
De Gray's Rooms, York
A community centre at Wakefield
A pub in Sheffield
Huddersfield Library
Ilkley Playhouse
A cafe in Lincoln during a literature festival

Great Works - Online Magazine

2008-04-03T13:02:00.001+01:00

NINE POEMS

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf1.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf2.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf3.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf4.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf5.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf6.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf7.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf8.html

http://www.greatworks.org.uk/poems/alf9.html

Splizz

2008-03-16T09:09:00.001Z

Here's a link to my poem that appears online.

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:xWJGWYr3eFAJ:www.stmarys4.freeserve.co.uk/Splizz.htm+lee+firth+poetry&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=80&gl=uk

Sentinel Literary Quarterly, September 2007 - Online Sample

2008-03-14T14:49:00.001Z

The International Who's Who in Literature

2008-03-11T09:54:00.003Z

This is something I've just found online. Seems to be quite an impressive directory? Well, I never contacted the publishers, but somehow they got hold of my details...which are many years out of date though now..

Great Works

2008-03-10T08:21:00.006Z

Here are the sheets I was sent for proofreading; there's one missing because it needs correcting.

The magazine isn't live online yet; but it shouldn't be too long.

Great Works - Acceptance Letter and Poems for Proofreading.

2008-03-09T11:10:00.002Z

Only one sheet needed correcting.

Acceptance Letter - Great Works

2008-01-24T17:50:00.000Z

Horace, Issue 4

2007-12-11T10:49:00.000Z

The Cannon's Mouth, Issue Number 26, December 2007

2007-12-05T11:28:00.000Z

Acceptance Letter - Decanto, Issue32

2007-12-03T11:21:00.000Z

erbacce, journal 9 (online edition)

2007-11-13T18:57:00.000Z

http://www.erbacce.com

Writers' Workshop

2007-10-31T11:43:00.001Z

Starting on Tuesday, November 13th at 12:30 p.m. I shall be leading a therapeutic writing workshop at Rossington, near Doncaster.

For further details please phone (01302) 866577.

Underground Window, April 2005

2007-10-16T17:12:00.000+01:00

Underground Window, Jan/Feb 2005

2007-10-16T17:08:00.000+01:00

All about me and my work...I don't even know where this appeared online.

2007-10-16T17:02:00.000+01:00

A. LEE FIRTH

INTRODUCTION
I was born in the last place in Pontefract and spent most of my life living in the last place in Barnsley, but now home is the centre of Doncaster. Due to being actually born in the wrong place at the wrong time the world I now inhabit isn't mine, and never really has been; and therefore like a tormented Russian peasant there is always far too much poetry in my head and vodka in my glass: a very dangerous combination.
Estranged from mainstream society ( I was pushed, I never jumped, your Honour) I tend to experiment in form, language and subject matter. Minimalism, nihilism, and imagism predominate when I'm writing for the page and I've spent several years looking for ( or devising ) an appropriate word for a piece of work with a title longer than the poem itself. However, when I'm writing for performance there's always a tendency towards surrealism and poetry of the absurd; adaptation of found texts, outrageous suppositions, alternative ( yet plausible ) realities and incessant wordplay. In effect, a much nicer world.
With a natural staccato delivery I ought to look good in stilletos, but probably don't; not a syllable is wasted in my work and every performance is a personal engagement with the audience: there's no set running order or pre-rehearsed patter. It's poetry in the raw, usually with my clothes on. I absolutely love performing.

BIOGRAPHY
Born May 22nd 1962, Hemsworth, near Pontefract. Lived entire life within ten miles of Doncaster. Attended same school as late Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes ( but many years later ). Single. No children. No pets. No smoking.
Several hundred poems published in various small press magazines and anthologies since 1988, three slim collections produced and intermittent performer/reader at venues throughout Yorkshire.
Hobbies include hiking on the local moors, attending the theatre and listening to worldband radio. As is often the case, at the moment I've got too much energy and don't necessarily know what to do with it.

INFLUENCES
Although I've spent the vast majority of my life to date in small tight-knit and rather oppresive and repressive, now former mining communities; I find it extremely difficult to write directly about this experience. I tend to concentrate on the poetry of consequence; what might happen if...? Therefore parodies and reinterpretations of found texts and dialogues predominate in my performances - classified ads, estate agents' over optimistic write-ups, the language of street furniture and promotional literature.. I like to think I'm as much a philosopher as I am a poet/performer and so often attempt difficult and complex subjects, yet I'm sure my work is accessible and entertaining or else I wouldn't be writing it.
Unlike many in the poetry establishment I don't incorporate obscure classical references or any overtly religious concepts into my work and don't intend that there is any party political bias in what I have to say: some, if not most, of my ideas are well beyond the reach of traditional Westminster politics. I do not write to deliberately offend or mock, but my work is of an adult nature and can on occasions be quite provocative.

Dew-on-Line, Issue 3 - BIOGRAPHY

2007-10-16T16:49:00.000+01:00

A. Lee Firth______________________________________________

BORN 1962 HEMSWORTH, PONTEFRACT

Became interested in poetry when realised attendedsame school as late poet laureate Ted Hughes.
However do not like traditional formats & subject matter of much contemporary poetry.
Prefer minimalist/imagist style incorporating wordplay & deliberate blurring of meaning.
Although obviously male, many editors think that I'm a radical lesbian - I do not correct them.

Sentinel Literary Quarterly, Volume 1, Number 1, September 2007

2007-10-15T12:26:00.000+01:00

Acceptance Letter: Decanto Magazine/Anthology 31

2007-10-10T11:44:00.000+01:00

Of course, I won't be ordering a copy. I don't mind my work appearing for free anywhere; but there is no way I am paying to see it published.

The Ugly Tree (Internet Site)

2007-08-29T08:26:00.000+01:00

Fleeting

I am still religious;
What wings I had though
Have now hardened into shelves.

Stuck somewhere between an atlas
And an old timetable
I witness the back of my
Old enemy's baseball cap.

Weyfarers 102

2007-08-23T10:51:00.000+01:00

Up To Date

2007-08-17T06:26:00.000+01:00

I've now posted all of my published poetry, and so in future will only be posting when I have new poems published or when I have any news.

Various Artists, Number 1

2007-08-16T06:59:00.000+01:00

Eavesdropper, July 1990

2007-08-16T06:57:00.000+01:00

Konfluence, Issue 6

2007-08-16T06:54:00.000+01:00

Breakfast All Day, Issue 12

2007-08-15T07:12:00.000+01:00

FORECAST

Today it is snowing;

The postman will only

Bring white envelopes.

Inkshed,Issue Number 25, July-December 1993

2007-08-15T07:11:00.000+01:00

Saccade, Issue 6

2007-08-15T07:08:00.000+01:00

Writers' Viewpoint, Issue Number 4, June 1994

2007-08-14T06:49:00.000+01:00

Connections, Summer 1998

2007-08-14T06:47:00.000+01:00

Zine Zone

2007-08-14T06:45:00.000+01:00

Voice and Verse, Issue 10, Winter 2000

2007-08-13T06:44:00.000+01:00

Psychopoetica 43

2007-08-13T06:42:00.000+01:00

Parameter Magazine, Issue III

2007-08-13T06:40:00.000+01:00

Poetry Monthly, Issue 106, January 2005

2007-08-12T06:37:00.000+01:00

Wearwolf 13

2007-08-12T06:35:00.000+01:00

UNEMPLOYED PERSON

I do it

Just to

Please

The boss.

Write Here, Write Now: Christmas Anthology

2007-08-12T06:33:00.000+01:00

South, Issue 18

2007-08-11T06:56:00.001+01:00

The Third Half, Issue 27, 1996

2007-08-11T06:54:00.000+01:00

The Black Mountain Review, Issue 5, Spring 2002

2007-08-11T06:52:00.000+01:00

The Third Half, Issue 18, February 1991

2007-08-10T06:37:00.001+01:00

Neon Lily Tiger

2007-08-10T06:33:00.000+01:00

Pomes

2007-08-09T07:21:00.000+01:00

DEPARTURE

Grief, like gravy

Has no destination.

INSOMNIA

Somewhere

where

sheep

sleep

out of

sight

PRIDE

If you wear a thimble,

When you're darning

Your master's socks

No needle points

Will prick you.

Poetry And Audience, Volume 34, Number 1, June 1992

2007-08-09T07:18:00.000+01:00

Wordsheets, Number One

2007-08-09T07:17:00.000+01:00

Works

2007-08-08T07:00:00.000+01:00

Wearwolf 12

2007-08-08T06:57:00.001+01:00

ROUNDABOUT WAYS

And when...

The crop circle

Began to rotate -

Then he believed.

NEW IDEAS

He never thought it strange

That as the batteries were exhausted

The music on his radio got slower.

Hybrid, Number 2, 1991

2007-08-08T06:54:00.000+01:00

Something Weird Is Happening And I Don't Know How To Stop It

2007-08-07T06:34:00.000+01:00

As Well As, Number 6

2007-08-07T06:32:00.000+01:00

Iota, Number 12, 1990

2007-08-06T06:43:00.000+01:00

Moodswing - Publicity Poster

2007-08-05T07:07:00.001+01:00

My Biography

2007-08-05T07:05:00.000+01:00

Sol 27, January - April 1991

2007-08-04T07:17:00.000+01:00

Candelabrum, Volume IX, Number 3, April 1998

2007-08-04T07:15:00.000+01:00

BALANCE SHEET

Closed in a kiss

The day sleeps

Contentedly.

Moonstone 64

2007-08-03T06:48:00.000+01:00

Moonstone 62

2007-08-03T06:47:00.001+01:00

Moonstone 60

2007-08-03T06:43:00.000+01:00

PASSING OF TIME

Total eclipse of the sun;

When daylight returned,

One less standing stone

In the circle.

The Old Police Station, Number 85, Winter 1990

2007-08-02T07:33:00.000+01:00

Toadbird, Aerra Litha (June) 1993

2007-08-02T07:29:00.000+01:00

4th. Dimension,Number 7, March 2005

2007-08-02T07:27:00.000+01:00

That's Magick, Final Issue, Summer 1997

2007-08-01T07:06:00.000+01:00

MORE AND MISSED

The Devil's weather;

No horizon on which

To tether a thought,

Tendering loose change

The sun hangs out

Eight 'til late.

Moonstone 50

2007-08-01T07:04:00.000+01:00

The Rainbow Poetry News

2007-08-01T07:02:00.000+01:00

Moonstone 45

2007-07-31T07:01:00.001+01:00

Moonstone 65

2007-07-30T06:51:00.000+01:00

PETRIFIED

Out of earshot

We dance to the

Rhythm of the rain,

Our audience

Turned to stone.

Scar Tissue #17

2007-07-29T08:24:00.000+01:00

NOT QUITE DESPERATION

Pen in hand

But no ideas

To spare rib him.

PARK KEEPER

They think

He's strange

Because he

Blows his nose

On flowers.

COPY

Proofreading

Her silk stockings:

He slowly removes

Several letters

From the alphabet.

Iota 42

2007-07-28T06:48:00.000+01:00

GREENKEEPER

Even if I were on piecerate

Maybe I'd still divert

Around the crocuses.

Eco Runes, Volume 3

2007-07-28T06:45:00.000+01:00

Target, Number 5

2007-07-27T07:11:00.000+01:00

The Haiku Quaterly, Number 2, Spring 1991

2007-07-27T07:08:00.000+01:00

SLEEPING PARTNER

Lying in a bed of Rose's

He found it hard to sleep

And even harder

To be optimistic.

Moonstone 53

2007-07-26T07:08:00.000+01:00

Scar Tissue #18

2007-07-26T07:05:00.000+01:00

MARGINAL ANALYSIS

I'm only looking

With rose-coloured spectacles

Through this window of opportunity

Because I'm a housebound astronaut.

Jam

2007-07-26T06:59:00.000+01:00

THE THINKER

He would only eat

Grapes at a minute

To midnight,

Spitting out the pips

As the time signal

Heralded the hour.

RECCE

If it rhymes,

Shoot it!

Better safe,

Than Ralph.

ALL FOR ONE

She dropped

A stitch in time

To save nine.

The other eight

Had never seen

Her naked before.

Moonstone 49

2007-07-25T06:43:00.000+01:00

JUST ONE MORE

Heavy snowfall

Overnight:

The rhododendron,

A lost sheep.

Songs 18

2007-07-25T06:41:00.000+01:00

Eco Runes, Issue Number 4

2007-07-25T06:36:00.000+01:00

SKINNY DIPPING

Beneath

the surface,

we're all

the bleeding

same.

Target, Number 4

2007-07-24T07:17:00.000+01:00

DANDELION

One small insect

On the launch pad;

How much further to

The stars from here?

Exile, Volume 9 Number 1, Spring 1997

2007-07-24T07:15:00.000+01:00

Iota, Number 9, 1990

2007-07-24T07:13:00.000+01:00

A Riot Of Emotions, Issue 3

2007-07-23T06:31:00.000+01:00

GRAVITY

In a crazy world

It takes less time

For the minute hand

To travel from the hour

To half-past

Than it takes for it

To travel from half-past

Back up to the hour.

Moonstone 47

2007-07-22T07:14:00.000+01:00

MAGICK

It's summer again;

There'll be another

Crop of stone circles

In cornfields.

Frontal Lobe 2

2007-07-22T07:12:00.000+01:00

Foolscap, Issue 10

2007-07-22T07:10:00.000+01:00

2nd Rapture, 5

2007-07-21T07:38:00.000+01:00