George Szirtes on Strong Award Reading

The poet George Szirtes writes a daily blog here:

George Szirtes Blog

He too read at Poetry Now and the following is what he had to say about the Strong Award reading:

The young poets prize went to Dave Lordan though my pick would have been Billy Ramsell. Both performed their poems with great gusto but Ramsell seemed to me to have several dimensions to spare: playfulness and tenderness as well as sheer force. I have never loved force in itself. All four poets were good, of course. That goes without saying and includes Nell Regan and Nuala Ní Chonchúir.

I thought Billy would have won too. He's unique and clever and a lovely guy to boot. But, like all shortlists and prizes, it's impossible to predict who'll win. Go and see Billy read / recite next time he performs near you.