A note on: my performance at English PEN fest II for Waleed Abul Khair

I was able to achieve an almost complete blackout, and with a torch, usher latecomers into the space, after shining a light into the face of those watching, and read my poems for Waleed by torchlight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleed_Abulkhair

The second English PEN Modern Literature Festival saw 30 contemporary UK-based writers present new works in tribute to writers at risk around the world at Rich Mix, London, on April 1st 2017. #penfestuk Visit www.englishpen.org and for more information www.theenemiesproject.com/englishpen

A note on : a poem for Waleed Abulkhair for #PENFestUK 2017

The Incident of Smood
You do not know you have left the open country
until unexpectedly,
you hear loud speakers, and some dancing.
You are suddenly aware
you're already at the centre of the damage.
The shadows behind you are the skeletons of the factories
pushed backwards
and aside
by a giant hand.

Read the full poem here www.stevenjfowler.com/englishpen