2. Poems from the here and now.

A poem that works

is like a decent movie;

it stops time, takes you somewhere

and, if it’s any good,

quickens the senses,

refreshes the mind,

broadens the understanding

and leaves you in a somewhat better state.

Even if it simply makes you smile a little

the time taken to stop and look

has already been rewarded.

Try it!

Fred Proud lives in Soho. He was co-founder of the Soho Theatre Company along with novelist Verity Bargate .

He directed over a hundred productions for The Soho and other venues around the UK and further afield.

He travels to Brazil for part of each year and enjoys growing flowers, fruit and vegetables on his allotment in Chiswick and more exotic varieties in the garden of a single storey house finished three years ago in rural Minas Gerais.

Mamões, or paw-paw.

…

From a Xeroxed poster circa 1999.