A poet from Bishopston has had a second full poetry collection published, described as “a celebration of life.” Chris Campbell wrote Why I Wear My Past to Work in Bristol and launched the book in The Bridge Inn, on Passage Street, with six top Bristol poets.
Robert Walton, Helen Sheppard, Tom Sastry, Anna Maughan, Sophie Durmont and Adam Elms took to the mic, with Ms Sheppard as compère. Campbell also headlined two Bristol nights back in November.
Why I Wear My Past to Work is a collection of 48 poems that explores fatherhood and a male perspective of family life. The collection touches on the contrast between the idealised and reality of life as a dad with two young children alongside marriage, work, illness and urban life.
Written in Bristol and published by Atlanta-based Parlyaree Press, it highlights current and historic relationships and an ear infection that led to bacterial meningitis, a brain haemorrhage and a four-week stay at Southmead Hospital.
Chris Campbell is a Dublin-born former journalist who works as an editor in Bristol. Why I Wear My Past to Work follows the publication of his first collection, All Island No Sea in 2022. With two pamphlets already available, his new mini pamphlet will be published by Atomic Bohemian in 2026. His poems appear in publications including Magma, Prole, Ink Sweat & Tears, The Waxed Lemon, Sídhe Press, Indigo Dreams’ The Dawntreader, Black Bough Poetry, and Streetcake.
Chris was Highly Commended in the 2024 Cobh International Poetry Competition and shortlisted for Canterbury Poet of the Year 2023. He also features on BBC Radio Bristol.
Chris said of his second publishing success: “I’m delighted to have launched Why I Wear My Past to Work in Bristol, It’s fitting to reveal them in The Bridge Inn, which is known for its creativity and music – thank you to everyone who has supported the collection.”
Speaking of the collection, Bristol poet Robert Walton added: “Why I Wear My Past to Work is an uplifting, hugely enjoyable collection that will have you lingering on individual poems, re-reading them, but wanting to devour more.”
Five Schoolboys Peel Pyracantha
berries from homes above a broken wall.
Inspect their hostages before rocketing
passing scooters, a shoulder shrug away.
Red palms under woollen gloves, the ones
their folks forced upon them after breakfast.
These kidnappers who infiltrate such
well-kept lawns. I recognise one of the troop –
he was pointing out the pharmacist to a swollen
soul, now he’s a criminal to boot.
Or is he feeding the present to passers-by?
Pockets of autumn reminding there is life
on this road; this jolly gang, serenading October
after class. Chestnut sleeves, sherbert deodorant;
their firethorn fingers paint houses with sunset.
(inspired by schoolboys walking home in Bishopston)
Book makes its debut
The first book to be published by the Bristol School of Writing has been launched.
Seventeen writers have had their work selected for publication in the 176-page anthology entitled Life and Death, although 60 writers have been involved so far with the Writing School
The book was launched at the Folk House, Park Street, on December 8 with readings and discussions with some of the writers.
“Our first anthology includes short stories, memoir, reportage and poetry” said Justin Lyle, founding editor of The Bristol School of Writing.
The Writing School is nov inviting subdivisions for its second collection of articles on the theme of Fear. https://thebristolschoolofwriting.co.uk/submissions/