John Siddique, Full Blood, Oakham Castle, Rutland, The English PEN

John Siddique a supporter of The English PEN Road show, performed at Oakham Castle last night
part of the Oakham  Festival.

I did not have the freedom to attend, prevented by Leicestershire Police who interfere in local politics.

For ninety years, English PEN has been fighting for the freedom to write and the freedom to read at home and abroad.  they emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views.

It is a shame I could not meet this man. I am sure he had some interesting things to say.

A member of the public told me the event was attended by around 20 people.
They were welcomed by an aggressive and rude ticket collector, but they did not let that spoil their enjoyment of the evening.

Being told who the ticket collector was, it was no surprise they could not stay to
listen to his first poem, the last verse would have been very difficult for them.(gossip)

The evening started with John reading the following poem.

THIRST

Imagine thirst without knowing water.
And you ask me what freedom means.
Imagine love without love.

Some things are unthinkable,
until one day the unthinkable is here.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.

Some things we assume just are as they are,
no action is taken to make or sustain them.
Imagine love without love.

It is fear that eats the heart: fear and
endless talk, and not risking a step.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.

Fold away your beautiful thoughts.
Talk away curiosity, chatter away truth.
Imagine love without love.

Imagine believing in the whispers,
the screams and the gossip. Dancing to a tune
with no song to sing inside you.
Imagine love without love.

© John Siddique 2011

The poem was read at in New York by the occupy movement.

Another member of the public said if Siddique lived in Rutland 
Rutland Police would arrest him.

Download a reader's guide to Full Blood
by Maureen Doallas

www.johnsiddique.co.uk

www.writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.co.uk

John Siddique, Full Blood, Oakham Castle, Oakham Festival

John Siddique - Full Blood

MONDAY 24th JUNE @ Oakham Castle 7.30pm Tickets 5.00

The Oakham Festival is delighted to welcome John Siddique to Oakham for an evening poetry reading. John Siddique is the bestselling author of Full Blood, Recital – An Almanac, Poems From A Northern Soul, and The Prize. His poetry collection Don’t Wear It On Your Head is a perennial favourite with younger readers. He is the co-author of the story/memoir Four Fathers. 'Each word is to be savoured like a sip of forbidden wine.’ The Dawn: Books & Authors

'A stellar British poet' The Spectator

Poetry events sponsored by

John Siddique's writing has the advantage of being true. He is the bestselling author of Full Blood, Recital – An Almanac, Poems From A Northern Soul, and The Prize. His children's collection Don’t Wear It On Your Head is a perennial favourite with younger readers. He is the co-author of the story/memoir Four Fathers.

His poems, essays and articles have featured in Granta, The Guardian, Poetry Review, The Rialto and on BBC Radio 4. The Spectator refers to him as 'A stellar British poet.’The Times of India calls him 'Rebellious by nature, pure at heart.' Acclaimed novelist Bina Shah says he is 'One of the best poets of our generation.'

Siddique is well known for his captivating readings, and his infectious love of literature. This highly influential writer has worked with The British Council, PEN, The Arvon Foundation, The Poetry Society and London 2012. He is the former British Council Writer-in-Residence at California State University, Los Angeles. Think-Tank QED considers John to be one of the 21 most influential British people with South Asian heritage. John was awarded the title of Honorary Creative Writing Fellow by Leicester University in recognition of his contributions to literature.

'John Siddique's writing brims with verve, depth and pathos' - The Big Issue