大象传媒

There can't be many more stereotyped forms of culture than poetry. People tend to have a very defined image of what poetry is and such strictures certainly don't help to promote it as a 21st Century art form.

What do you think of when people mention poetry? Wistful, melancholic fops raising a hand to their furrowed brow as they struggle to put into words their lyrical musings? Pretentious showoffs attempting to convey complex emotions by mixing their metaphors and hoping that their convoluted verbiage comes across as mystical enough to be considered 'literature'?

Stephen Emmerson is a local Leeds poet who wants people to have a different view of poetry and to show that it can be a vibrant medium that is accessible to anyone and everyone.

He's one of the organisers behind Letterbomb, a monthly night of poetry where enthusiasts and performers can get together and experience new writing and swap ideas. There's also a website, called Spine, to keep poetry fans abreast of what's happening in Leeds on the scene. We asked Stephen to tell us more about them:

"We started Letterbomb in February 2009, with no real idea of whether it would work but luckily it's been very successful and we get an average of about 50 people to each one - a mixture of perfomers and others who are just happy to listen."

"The reason behind it is that as poetry writers and fans of the form, we struggled to find anything going on in Leeds, so we decided to set up our own night and see if it could become a regular thing and we've managed to attract a hardcore of regulars as well as curious newcomers who may not be able to make it to every one but are still enthusiastic about what we do."

"We promote the events almost like a music gig - we try and make sure we always have eye-catching flyers to bring in people who might not ordinarily make it to a poetry event. We're well aware that for most people, their experience of poetry is dictated by what they studied in English at school - which may or may not have harmed their appreciation of the art form."

"There's room for experimental material, more traditional stuff and performance is very important for some writers. The passion involved in performance poetry can be the key to someone rediscovering an art form they previously thought as moribund or redundant. Plenty of people have come down, initially I think just to listen but have got so involved they ended up performing."

"The website is important as it gives us a forum inbetween events and acts as a focus, and enables us to show the city and the wider region that something is definitely happening. We're hoping to become part of a network where other poetry gigs are arranged around the county, and performers can swap gigs and give each other support."

"Also, we mustn't forget that despite some negative experiences in schools, they are one of the best arenas to get people interested in poetry. We've been asked to arrange workshops and open mic events for schoolkids, to encourage their creativity. Hopefully we can expand on this and prove that poetry is as vital as ever."

Letterbomb, the monthly poetry event takes place upstairs at Milo, Call Lane in Central Leeds on the second Wednesday of each month.