Carcanet @ the MLF: Three Carcanet Poets

From left to right: Julith Jedamus,
Evan Jones, William Letford

Almost exactly a year after the publication of Carcanet’s New Poetries V anthology, three now-seasoned poets from the collection came together to launch their new collections at Waterstone's, Deansgate, as part of the Manchester Literature Festival.

Evan Jones from Canada (and sometimes, he informed us, Greece, depending on his mood), Colorado-born Julith Jedamus, and Scottish roofer-turned-poet William Letford each read from their own collections, Paralogues, The Swerve and Bevel respectively, to a poetry section attended by the most diverse crowd I’ve seen at a poetry event. A class of high-schoolchildren, some students, adults and a little girl (who was eager to get her book signed at the end!) were all witness to a performance by three distinct voices that served to highlight the differences in style and method present at the cusp of English language poetry today.

Paralogues

First to perform was Evan Jones who read with humour and a refreshing directness from his collection Paralogues. The sometimes difficult subject matter of myth is handled by Jones with a confidence and wit that allows the listener in; providing new life and vibrancy to questions of tradition and its place in the modern world. The characters, Constantine and Arete, that Jones shapes, dissects and scrutinizes in his 24-part poem ‘Constantine and Arete: an autobiography’ are brought arrestingly to life from an ancient Byzantine folk ballad. They are given an urgency and alertness that is evident in Evan’s reading; he sounds like he is talking about old friends.

Indeed, towards the end of his reading, the characters that he has teased and pried apart are alive enough to take their own turn at the pen and direct a rebellious critique at the poet himself. Jones is happy to oblige, although, he’s sure to point out, he doesn’t let them have the last word. His final poem of the sequence, ‘24’, is prefaced by a quote from Twelfth Night: ‘One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons, / A natural perspective, that is and is not.’ Deeply thoughtful writing, this ‘autobiography’ skews the idea of identity in a modernist fashion that is both funny and thought-provoking.

Up next was Julith Jedamus. It was immediately apparent that the feel of Jedamus’ poetry was very different to Jones’. Her gentle but assured voice communicated a delicate approach to the physicality of words. 

The Swerve

The generously-named ‘In Memory of the Photographer Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, Who Died of Pneumonia after Walking through a Blizzard Near Jericho, Vermont, December 23, 1931’ was one of my favourites. Images of blinding snow, bleak isolation, framed within the intense focus of a camera lens betray a precisely seen and felt world in which objects lend sub-conscious, rhythmic evocations: ‘stars, ferns, wands and bright / escutcheons, an argent / army of perfectness…’. She also read translations of two Lorca poems, ballads of the sun and moon, which she read first in Spanish, and then in her English translation. It was wonderful to hear both versions in the same voice, something I have not seen before at a live reading, and the choice of poem was very poignant.

Last up on stage was William Letford, transporting with him a buzz of energy and charisma. His was the kind of poetry that I wish I’d heard at school – unpretentious, smart, devilishly witty and deeply honest. ‘The Bevvy’ was a fantastic example of this.

Bevel

Letford is one of the few poets I have seen who has memorized the complete collection of his poetry. This confident move allows his performance a greater level of expression and directness; as he recited the heady highs of a passionate and drunken relationship which came to an inevitable end in ‘The Bevvy’, the impression on the audience was palpable and we feel that each word is measured and completely necessary.

It was a diverse and animated reading in a setting that was suitable; everyday activity continued to murmur around the poetic voices that spoke so pertinently of contemporary life. It was a great opportunity to see the new, rising voices of poetry from around the world who are finding new ways of making language new.

Ella Jane Chappell, Carcanet Intern