Pen Me A Poem » celebrity

Singer Amy Winehouse Dabbles in Writing Poetry

Edward — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:42:12 +0000

The troubled British singer Amy Winehouse has apparently taken up writing poetry. Inspired by her on-off lover Pete Doherty, lead rocker of the Babyshambles, she hopes her writings will put inspiration into the mind’s of children.

“Pete Doherty once told her that poetry was a good way to express yourself so she thought writing a book of poems about her life would be a fine start.” said a source close to the singer.

“Amy’s been stimulated since living in St. Lucia. She loves the chilled out atmosphere and has found it has encouraged her to write again. She really wants to write a children’s book one day so thought a book of poems would be great practice.”

Her poetry is based on her desires to be love and be loved and are deeply personal in nature. It’s even been said that she was so happy with the results that she showed her personal bodyguard in order for him to understand her more clearly.

The ‘Rehab’ star recently had an extended holiday on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, where she now plans to buy a house. Her family are hoping the island paradise will keep her away from the temptations and ex-boyfriends back home in London.

Quite how good the poems of Amy Winehouse are, is yet to be seen.

Famous Names Take to the Stage to Recite Poetry

Edward — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:13:40 +0000

The Academy of American Poets recently held an event to kick of April’s National Poetry Month in the United States. “Poetry & the Creative Mind” which was held at the Lincoln Center in New York city was attended by a whole host of celebrities and well known figures. These included the actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis who recited Sterling A. Brown’s “Riverbank Blues”.

Eight other well known names took to the floral stage to recite their favourite American poetry. However, the gentle rule was sometimes ignored, especially by scientist Harold Varmus who chose a selection of British poetry by John Donne. Gyllenhaal selected a piece by the Russian Anna Akhmatova.

As well as poetry readings, the guests were encouraged to share their own personal stories relating to poetry. Composer Steve Reich recalled visiting a bookstore in central Manhattan and discovering the work of William Carlos Williams. The poet Mark Strand pointed to his favourite poem that he wished he himself had written, Archibald MacLeish’s “You, Andrew Marvell”.

Among the other guests to speak on stage were the poets Rose Styron and Jorie Graham, Author-humorist Roy Blount Jr, and the singer Joan Baez who admitted she knew nothing about reading poetry.

The American National Poetry Month runs until the end of April.

Britney Spears Joins the Taliban

Edward — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:30:35 +0000

Yesterday, I asked people on the social networking and micro-blogging service, Plurk, to provide ten random words for me to incorporate into a poem. The resulting poem was created by using these given words in tandem with a subject matter familiar to most people. This being Britney Spears, the rather irritating and over exposed pop singer. Each of the ten words in the poem are highlighted by a link to the Plurk profile of the person who provided the word.

Britney Spears

Scene: A Britney Spears spokesman at a press conference.

“It is with the greatest of confuddlements
That I announce some shocking and terribly grave news.
Ladies – ladies and gentleman – BBC and Fox -
Britney Spears has joined the Taliban.

Intelligence says, she’s renamed herself
‘Britney Bin Boobs‘, inducing much discombobulation.
The Spear’s family is understandably crushed
And have been looking up Waziristan on Google Earth
Vile place!

Apparently a golden dodecahedron
Worth many millions of dollars,
Now known as fake, attracted her eye, cunningly
Drawing her in.
No one knows as yet what Jihadi plans she has
In retaliation for the constant mockery
During hair follicle prestidigitation
Last year.”

Yes. There are 9 linked words in the poem. I am ashamed to admit I forgot to include the 10th.
Feel free to add me if you are also a member of Plurk.