Poem of the Month - October 2011

Mrs Darwin

7 April 1852

Went to the Zoo.

I said to Him –

Something about that Chimpanzee over there reminds me
                                     of you.

From The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy (pub. 1999)

Carol Ann Duffy (*1955)

Carol Ann Duffy, poet and writer of plays and children’s books, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, to an Irish-Scot father and an Irish mother. She is the eldest of five, having four younger brothers. The family moved to Stafford, England, when Carol was six, then pursuing a regular school education. At an early age, Carol knew that she wanted to be a writer. She was positively encouraged by her English teachers who assisted the publishing of some of her poems. When Carol was 16, she decided to live with the English poet, Adrian Henri, founder of the poetry-rock group ‘The Liverpool Scene’, writing poetry which characterized the popular culture. To be close to him, Carol applied to the University of Liverpool and started studying philosophy in 1974, receiving an honours degree in 1977. During her time in Liverpool, she also wrote plays which were performed at the Liverpool Playhouse. After graduation, she wrote widely: poetry, television shows, plays. She worked as critic for The Guardian, was editor of the poetry magazine, Ambit, editor to anthologies, children’s books, and plays. In 1996, Carol became lecturer in poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University where she is currently holding the position of creative director of the Writing School. In all those years she received a wide range of awards and fellowships and eventually was nominated poet laureate in 1999. She was missed out and it is assumed that then Prime Minister Tony Blair shied away from Carol’s lesbian relationship with poet colleague Jackie Kay. In 2009, though, she accepted the position as the first female poet laureate in 341 years.

Peggy Hughes from the Scottish Poetry Library had advised me on seeing Carol Ann Duffy at the Edbookfest. When I purchased the ticket to one of her readings, all I knew was that she is the current Poet Laureate. When I finally saw her on stage, presenting her poetry I understood why she holds this official position since 2009. The wittiness, this seemingly playful use of concepts and words and her cunning style are worth savouring. Check on her book of poems The World's Wife and your point of view on 'historical events' will turn...