Katy reviews Songs and Sonnets with Malcom Guite

On Tuesday, July 2nd, we had the pleasure of watching Malcolm Guite perform ‘Songs and Sonnets’ at the Ledbury Poetry Festival. Held in the intimate Burgage Hall, known for its high ceilings and excellent acoustics, the venue was a lovely setting for an evening of poetry and music.

Malcolm began by praising local and historical poets, his passion for poetry evident from the start. His enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the subject were captivating, turning his explanations into engaging conversations. His insights into the context, history, and influences of romantic poets made his own performances even more compelling. It was delightful to hear him speak.

Transitioning into his first sonnet, Malcolm maintained his softly spoken conversational cadence, delivering each poem with clarity and varying speeds to suit the mood. For instance, his poem “What If?” was recited quickly yet articulately, while others were delivered more slowly, enhancing their impact.

Then, Guite delved into his poetic process, which was very enjoyable to hear, sharing personal anecdotes that added a vulnerable and relatable touch. Malcolm’s discussion about the unique combinations of English words in poetry was thought-provoking, creating a workshop-like atmosphere that inspired listeners to try their hand at writing.

One of his standout poems described a dinner party, capturing the essence of various attendees and culminating in the memorable couplet: “And though we know each word is my free guest, They sometimes leave a poem in return.” The poem’s universal theme and Malcolm’s natural delivery made it particularly relatable.

Before reading his poem ‘Spell,’ Malcolm mused on the magic of language, exploring the dual meanings of the word ‘spell’ in a whimsical and enchanting way.

The event then shifted to songs. His first song, “Lente Lente,” featured simple chord progressions and sweet lyrics of syllabic words. Personally, I found the repetition of the song a little tedious while others found it enchanting. The next song, “Angels Unawares,” was more engaging, filled with vivid imagery and a lovely melody, enhanced by an oom-pah rhythm plucked on the guitar. The story behind Angels Unawares was also very amusing to hear.

Returning to poetry, Malcolm entertained the audience with a parody of Masefield’s “Sea Fever” titled “Shed Fever” and his poem “Deep Inspiration” about a hospital appointment and an MRI machine. During the Q&A, he discussed the intersection of preaching and poetry, referencing Edwin Muir’s “The Incarnate One” and emphasizing the importance of embodied language in poetry. “The Word made flesh here is made word again.” “Words are our medium so we have to find the most in flesh, the most embodied, the most locally inhabited language we possibly can, and poetry helps you do that.” This was a fascinating look into the ways poetry appear in people's everyday lives.

He concluded with a humorous true story where one of his poems got stuck in a photocopier and broke it. Naturally Guite wrote a poem about the the photocopier mishap and remarked that the ideal form for this poem would be a villanelle, a form of poetry which repeats two lines throughout the poem. Malcom then performed it with expressive flair that made the audience feel directly addressed.

Malcolm Guite seamlessly blended songs and sonnets, reflecting his musical sensibilities in his readings. The event was highly enjoyable, and Malcolm Guite is a wonderful storyteller, who is passionate about his craft and sharing it with others.