In which I try to outline what distinguishes prose (including “free verse) from poetry – or, more properly, song.
Category: Heraclitus Flow
Lovely Jubilee 2020

I think everyone will agree that 2020 has been a bit of a difficult year for human beings on planet Earth. Now that it is coming to an end, it becomes possible to think about what it means. There is Read More …
Why this new (w)rapping? (Part 2 – memorable speech)
So, why do I think that rap is the new home of contemporary poetry? The famous 20th-century poet Wystan Hugh Auden memorably defined poetry as “memorable speech”. I think that is a good definition for a number of reasons. Firstly, Read More …
Why this new (w)rapping? (Part 1 – cultural estrangement)
Since you probably know me as a singer-songwriter / translator and this Global Village Bard blog as a song and poetry translation site, I thought I’d try to explain the new direction taken by my alter ego Thomas Riffmatch and Read More …
I will survive
The Law of Noncontradiction
Review of Vitruvian Woman by Jock Urquhart
A ten minute snapshot of global history, politics and philosophy, it’s an ambitious and sprawling piece confidently presented by Beavitt and his collaborators. I imagine Tommy with a wry smile on his face as he performs his impressive, wordy tour Read More …