RAINBOW, FREUDENSTADT

A rainbow

curved above us all.

It stretched

from the North Sea to the Black Forest.

It arced over ancient walls

and, beneath its spectrum,

birds mocked aeroplanes

and pecked

at a mad Professor’s brains.

KEITH  ARMSTRONG

I give all my money to millionaires and I don't give a fuck about you.

THE MONTH OF THE ASPARAGUS

It was the month of the asparagus

and you kissed me by the river

with the rain flowing down your face.

It was the day you burst 

like a volcano,

gushing all over me

as we ran

down Neckargasse,

exulting

in the sky weeping all over us

and in the laughter of children

splashing in the damp raging day.

It was the month of the asparagus

when our dreams landed

through the attic window of Lange Gasse 18.

It was the day my heart rang

with all the bells of Tuebingen

and my bones ached

with the weight of memory,

the sad loss,

hanging over us

a mountainous cloud of longing,

full with the tangy moisture

of new songs and poems.

It was the month of the asparagus

when I zoomed in to meet you

with my arms open to the grand afternoon.

O what a day

when I came again to see you 

with my heart heavy,

riddled with the seeds

of creative delight and the light

of a stream of wondrous moments

pouring,

the length of Wilhelmstrasse,

into the very realms of hope.

KEITH ARMSTRONG


http://wardwoodpublishing.co.uk/titles-poetry-keith-armstrong-the-month-of-asparagus.htm

DOCTOR KEITH ARMSTRONG - SOME COMMENTS

'Keith Armstrong has more aliases than a man on the

run.' (Graeme Rigby, The Page, Northern Echo).

'No one in the North East has written and read and

encouraged and organised so consistently and over so

long a period as Keith Armstrong. His poetry is 

different, original, and politically exhilarating.’

'It doesn't matter which way his poems are facing, or

the subjects they address, it is recognisibly the same

sensibility, each part of a unified whole, and unified

by the same, strong identifiable voice.' (Andy Croft).

‘There is an exciting sense of releasing the dreams

and perceptions from the ‘wee corners’ of his mind -

and the result is the honesty, humanity, sharpness of

vision and richness of humour which he makes available

for readers to share.’(Professor Helen Wilcox, Head of

English Department, University of Groningen). 

‘Keith’s poems raised goose pimples but also thoughts

about today’s culture.’ (Peter Lewis, Hexham Courant).

'Keith Armstrong made a splendid contribution to the

success of this year's Festival. The audience was

delighted with the programme. I had lots of

enthusiastic feedback in the subsequent days.'

(Gordon Parsons, Programme Director, Cheltenham

Festival of Literature).

'We love the way Keith puts feelings in all his

poems.' (Children from Gilesgate Junior School,

Durham).

'I think it's an eye-opener that poetry can be fun.

What time at the Irish Pub?' (Ingrid Wotterba, Wessel

Gansfort College, Groningen).

'Keith's poetry is sometimes poignant, occasionally

savage and always written from his own off-beat

perspective.' (Lin O'Hara, Northern Review).

'Keith is a noted Geordie wordsmith, a bloke whose

musings were always radical, though of their place.'

(Folk Roots magazine).

'A noble dissident.' (Poet Brendan Cleary).

'A genial rogue.' (Councillor Ken Manton, Durham County Council).

‘The British Council considers itself fortunate indeed

to work in collaboration with Keith who has enabled

those who have connections with the British Council to

learn something of the local identity and heritage as

well as the international dimension which Keith brings

to his work.’ (Jan Long, Regional Manager, Yorkshire

and the North East, The British Council).

‘When all the rat-faced boys were snuffling at their

mothers'paps, Keith Armstrong was hammering out his

own particular brand of urban socialism, its roots

embedded in Newcastle and his love-hate relationship

with his home city. 

Keith is an enigma, a peripatetic people's poet, whose

poems were firebrands that pointed the way for a whole

generation of poets. Keith made a lot of things

possible for myself and many others like me. I don’t

mind admitting that without Keith I would have given

up poetry as a waste of life years ago. Listen to the

lilt of Keith's voice, it is the true voice of

humanity from the pavement philosopher who has lost

everything to the rake internationalist trawling the

bars of Europe in search of poetry and love.’ (Kevin

Cadwallender, General Editor, Sand magazine).

‘There are those who tell  the terrible truth in all

its loveliness. Keith Armstrong is one of them, a fine

poet who refuses to turn his back on the wretched of

the Earth. He is one of the best and I hope his voice

will be heard more and more widely.’ (Adrian Mitchell,

Poet).

'Keith is a real artist.' (Margit Aldinger, Cultural

Office, Tuebingen).

'I'm told that if the Labour Party is looking for a

wandering poet I must put Keith Armstrong top of the

list'. (Tony Blair).

'I don't think Keith is a person who is easily

defeated through life as he is, by nature, a peacock

which shows at times its beautiful feathers. It never

goes unnoticed.' (Margaretha den Broeden, 

Poet).

'A Master Showman.'  (Dr Charley Rowe, Department of

English, University of Newcastle upon Tyne).

'Fortunately that evening people came and you were

brilliant - - - this is not happening every day.'

(Jakub Zahradnik, Poetry Cafe Obratnik, Prague). 

'I wish the very honourable poet Mr Keith Armstrong

good luck for all the seasons in his life and always a

high inspiration for his poems.' (Jochen from the

Holderlin Tower).

'Here's to Keith and all the aborigines!'  (Zenida

McDonald). 

'Keith is a very talented, inspirational and committed

writer who contributes enormously to the promotion of

Northumbrian culture - but also to the cause of poetry

in general.  His poems moved us with a gutsy pungent

vigour which made us laugh - and think!  However, he

also made us brood, as for example in the moving

tribute to lifeboat heroine Grace Darling.' (Suzette

Hill, Friends of the Dymock Poets, Gloucestershire).

'Just a quick message to say how much I enjoyed your

performance at Riverlines here in York. I had a great

evening and it was refreshing to go to an event where

there is some sort of coherent narrative running

through it, rather than a series of unrelated verses.

For once at a poetry reading, I didn't find myself

drifting off out over the Ouse!' (David Cooper,

Literature Development Officer, York City Council).

'Jingling Geordie! Rising sun of the North. Poetry

spins around him. He'll write it, read it, perform it,

organise it, teach it and even drink with it! If he

can still stand up after that, he'll publish it. When

he performs with music clocks lose sense of time.

A swashbuckling oxymoron with golden heart. See him,

book him and buy his book.'

(Trev Teasdel ,Poet & Co-Organiser, Writers' Cafe,

Arc, Stockton).

'Thank you so much for a fantastic night. Your set was

brilliant and you were worth every penny.' (Paul

Williams, Writers' Cafe, Arc, Stockton).

'We loved to have you. The response was very positive.

Did you understand anything of the words Menno Wigman

said to you? He said your poetry was very good! My

friend Marcel voted for you!' (Henriette Faas, Cafe

Royal, Delft). 

'It really was such a lovely evening, wasn't it? I got

such lovely feedback from so many of the people who

came, all so glad they came. I still laugh when I

think how you impersonated Swinburne, all little

behind the lectern, so that all we could see was the

very tippy top of your head.  Probably the first ever

funny impersonation of Swinburne. And the briefest.

But I bet the best, too!' (Mary Manley, Barter Books,

Alnwick).

'A unique performance. A touch of class from Newcastle

upon Tyne for the Unfringed Festival.'  (Barney

Sheehan, The White House, Limerick, Ireland).

'Keith Armstrong's 'Imagined Corners' is immediately

touching. He is good at writing about sex and his

night-out-on-the-lash poems strike a chord as well.' 

(The Crack magazine, Newcastle upon Tyne).

'In another part of the field, another field, let's

face it, sits Keith Armstrong's rakish gaff. (His)

poems are rooted in the Tyneside music hall tradition,

closely behind which was the august balladry of the

Borders. His is an unashamed bardic stance, actor

rather than commentator. His politics are personal.

Throughout the collection the authentic lyrical note

of this northern poet is struck.'  (Michael Standen,

Other Poetry).

'Keith Armstrong is, as one of the poems attests,

“both happy and sad”. He occupies that tormented space

where most politicised optimists live;a land where

hope and defeat, love and hate, beauty and pain

co-exist relentlessly in an uneasy marriage.The poems

read like postcards from an alternative grand tour,

journal entries from another, more innocent, time,

when the world spun more slowly and we had time to

befriend strangers and notice things. There are echoes

of Baudelaire, of Brecht, Byron and Shelley in some of

the poems. Sometimes nostalgic, poignant reflections

on love, friendship and identity; sometimes the lament

of the defeated. Other times, poems drip with the

bellicose pride of the Jingling Geordie, ringing out

like a challenge. This collection paints Armstrong as

the maturing internationalist leafing through a cache

of dusty photographs, celebrating people and places, a

world of anecdote and adventure,strong drink and life

itself. More importantly though, many of the poems in

Imagined Corners reveal him as a subtle observer of

beauty whether he chooses to do so from the position

of global citizen, mourner, lover, friend or son.'

(Paul Summers, Dream Catcher).

'A lovely piece of work.' (Alan Plater).

'Thank you so much for a wonderful performance of your

work. I  had so many positive responses from my German

friends. The poems about Kitty and Newcastle were

particularly poignant for me.

What brilliant organisation and presentation on your

part.' (David Biermann, Stockach, Germany).

'I've been reading Keith Armstrong's poems - I am

impressed with their vitality, they leap up

from the page.'  (Gabriel Griffin, Lake Orta Poetry

Festival, Italy).

'Thank you for making yesterdays event at Amble

Library a very enjoyable experience for all those who

attended. Well after you left our readers discussed

poetry amongst each other. I look forward to seeing

you again in the future.'  (Karen Sutcliffe, Library

Supervisor - North Group, Northumberland County

Council).

'Armstrong's poetry is the window opened to let out

fetid air and everyone feels their lethargy evaporate.

Although he's been writing and performing for over

thirty years, he's still a marginal figure. Shame on

the poetry czars!

A joyous, subversive, delightful, unpretentious,

funny, anarchistic free spirit underpins Armstrong's

work. It will cheer you up.

His poems are technically achieved, funny, witty,

touching, and sufficiently various for there to be

something to light up every brain which responds to

poetry.

One way to make the world better would be to give

poets as good as Armstrong their due.'

(Alan Dent, Editor, The Penniless Press).

'Keith Armstrong was in fine form on Tuesday at

Shakespeare & Sons.' (Patrick Seguin, Prague).

'An okay guy and a good cultural liaison between

Prague and Newcastle.' (Ken Nash, Alchemy Prague).

'When an artist and a poet combine their love of sea

and coastline with their creative talents you are

going to have a pretty powerful exposition.

This is what happened when Keith Armstrong met up with

Rolf Wojciechowski. Tideline is a forty metre long

text sculpture laid along the shores of the N.E.

Coastline, complete with paintings and poems of the

sea.' (Lou Pickering, The Ambler).

'We had a great time in Newcastle and we want to come

back in the summer to 

walk the Hadrian Wall. You were a fantastic host. As

soon as your 

performances are arranged you will hear from me.' 

(Ronald Ohlsen, City Poet of Groningen, Newcastle's

twin city in The Netherlands).

'Thanks you very much for coming and reading your

poems - lots of people commented on how much they

enjoyed them.'  (Mary Lewis, Northumberland Coast Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

'Hi Keith. Went down well - excellent!' (Kevin

Redgrave, National Trust, Northumberland).

'Thanks again for coming down to Sheffield.  Quite a

few people have said how much they enjoyed the evening

and hearing your poems.  I hope you enjoyed it too. 

It was good to hear a direct and engaged voice.' 

(Robin Vaughan-Williams, Antics, Sheffield). 

'I enjoyed the evening in O'Ceallaighs. It was a good

performance and also very "gezellig" as we say in

Dutch. The exact meaning is - as you know - impossible

to translate!'  (Marieke Zwaving, Cultural Officer,

Groningen).

'So wonderfully active. An example to all. Hope to see

you next year.'  (Alan Myers).

'I have to start off by admitting that I'm a fan (your

Bleeding Sketches collaboration with the Whisky

Priests was one of the finest albums of the 90s).' 

(Russell Thompson, Apples & Snakes, London).

'Enjoyed and appreciated Song for Northumberland!'

(John Burton, Trimdon Labour Party).

'HI Keith, just a quick but, large THANKYOU for your

contribution to Monday night!' (Guy Hudson, The Jolly

Brewer readings, Lincoln).

'Thanks again for the fine performance evening we

enjoyed in the library a couple of weeks ago.  I hope

your writing keeps up the passion.' (Mark Pithie,

Springtides Poetry Group, Aberdeen).

'I just wanted to thank you again for Friday night. I

enjoyed the evening and the convivial drink in Barrels

afterwards.  I'll be in touch again soon.' (Mike

Greener, Spittal Improvement Trust, Berwick).

'Well, I'm in Joburg so I'm missing tonight's 

bash.Hope you manage to have a really good 

time of it with the many friends who cherish

you for the impossible and talented and loving

man that you are as well as being a true son 

of the river and its many currents.'  (Peter Stark).

'Startlingly inventive, Keith Armstrong made a career as a

librarian before the inner poet got the better of him and he 

took up writing full time.  Some of his work is raunchily

comic, folksy and gutsy but he does have his quieter moments, 

as in Song for Northumberland.'  (Chris Green, Curator, 

Berwick Museum).

'I love the way your work weaves past & present with a 

concern for the future - all bound up with a sense of 

regionalism - not at all fake, I know that much.'

(Julie Ward, Jack Drum Arts).

'Keith Armstrong is one of the north's longstanding finest poets.' 

(Liz Forster, North East History).

'I did a conference paper on poetry of regeneration last week and 

used your poem 'an oubliette for kitty' - again, massive

response, lots of quesions and people incredibly moved by your work.'

(Kate Shaw, University of Lancaster).

'Beautiful. Absolutely tremendous. I sit applauding and laughing.' 

(Craig Duffy, Drop the Beat Cafe, Leith, Edinburgh).

'Keith is the self styled 'Jinglin` Geordie' on 'European Tour' of poetry 

capital cities who sometimes dazzles wonderfully with virtuosity and 

insight.' 

(Garry Franks).

'We discussed your work at the Lit and Phil poetry reading group and 

likened it to Dylan Thomas. We all enjoyed your session so much.' 

(Sheila Naughton, Newcastle upon Tyne City Libraries).

'You give people like me the confidence to believe in ourselves and 

get out there. Terrific.' (Catherine Graham).

'Keith is a confident performer unafraid of dialogue with his audience. 

His melodious voice carried to the back of the room with clarity and power.' 

(Writers' Cafe, Stockton). 

'That was a highly entertaining evening. I must try and write some new stuff. I like 

your attitude to pretension in poetry/poets- I know exactly what you mean!' 

(Mark Pithie, Springtides Poetry, Aberdeen).

'I would like to say a big thank you for your reading last night. 

I know everyone enjoyed it and you provided ideas for exercises we could do around

certain themes to get people writing and that was an inspiration. More than that, you 

made us all laugh and we all enjoyed the wide range of material you write about 

which was great.' (Valerie Apted, Northumberland Writers).

'It was in The Boulanger that we first met. Where else could it have been? Keith Armstrong, it seems, 

knows his way about here even better than in many places between Durham in the North-East of England, 

Groningen in Friesland, Amiens in Picardie, Berlin in Prussia and, well, Tübingen in Württemberg 

(‘to name but a few’). A traveller with an open mind and without any fear of contact; strange lives, 

countries and people succumb to his poetic and real incorporation. This is so for the same reason for 

which our romantic poets sought out Heaven and every abyss: it is to understand “why I am back on Earth; 

must come to know myself and the land that bore me.”

It was a reading, that first time and the performer did not hide behind the customary glass of water, 

neither did he sit on a chair, but stood, as he always does. I have experienced it often enough by now 

how he explains his poems, how he reassures himself, again and again, of his audience. We are to understand 

every aspect and every point. If we don’t, he doubts extensively, himself, the language, the word. Then on 

to poem and ballad. Keith Armstrong is a bard, too, who has the knack of writing real songs. That’s why 

every place is named, why the names of persons he grants an appearance in verse are correct, why his poems 

have historical causes and sometimes take historic shape, just like the performance. Historic.

But one should, while laughing, never forget: this poet is someone who in his biography and work 

inseparably unites wit and long gained knowledge, enthusiasm and great talent, pluck and social commitment.....

This is a man who conquers, with his poems and charms, pubs as well as universities. He has always been 

an instigator and an actor in social and literary projects, an activist without whom the exchanges between 

the twin towns of Durham and Tübingen would be a much quieter affair. That he is a friend of many friends, 

able to open the most amazing doors for his guests, can be taken as read. Keith Armstrong’s songs 

of a sensitive self in an ugly world and of a beautiful world in an unfathomable self are capable of 

opening the hearts of listeners and readers.'

(Uwe Kolbe, Berlin poet). 

'Thanks for last night mate, it was great.

I loved that poem about Wallace's right arm.'

(Dave Douglass). 

'Dear Dr Armstrong,

'I'm messaging you now, simply to say thank you! Having discovered your work 

some time ago now, I have become a regular visitor to your space and a keen fan. 

It's because of you and your work that i took up writing again and have begun 

to actively seek publication. I whole heartedly thank you!'

(Matt "The Rover" Routledge). 

'Keith Armstrong certainly hasn't been spending his time cataloguing his prizes......

He has been far too busy having a good time with a panoply of European women......

It is one of his strong points, in poetry that could be simply pornographic, 

that he nearly always locates the sexuality in a relationship, however fleeting.' 

(Michael Standen, Other Poetry).

'I knew your name as soon as I saw it....you and Mr. Barber saved my life. The Roker Roar

was the beginning of everything for me!' (Viktoria Kay, actress).

'Am still impressed about Herr Huber and that poem about you and the pig-farmers playing in the airplane

.... very very nice and impressive.

I told about your poems Sunday afternoon a friend, she's living in Haren.... . look, what you did... :-) 

Was very nice meeting you in the Charly Dickens room in Haren last Friday, 

am happy I visited your performance.' (Bernd Eilts, Groningen artist).

'Our latterday Thomas Spence.' (John Charlton, North East History).

'Hello Mr. Armstrong! It was an amazing poetry reading today! I hope I'll see you again on stage. 

One of the best English lessons ever! Thank you.'  (Philipp K., Neckartenzlingen).

'Keith. So pleased your poetry is for ever appreciated by so many people. Love, (Zenida xxx)'.

'You're a beautiful spirit, a fantastic poet.' (Katrina Porteous). 

'The books are really strong, sensitive and anarchic in equal measure 

(much like your good self).'  (Paul Summers).

'Poetry from one of my personal favourite poets going, Keith Armstrong.' (Colin Galbraith, Ranfurly Review)

'On another note i would like to thank you for igniting my interest in poetry. To be honest from a young age poetry didn't grab me and I pursued the buzz music gave me, both playing and listening. I have now read the majority of the poems in the two books of yours I have and I am hooked ! It's shameful but I hadn't realised that poetry can grab you like a good book or a piece of music. I can feel the passion and anger and all other emotions you are putting into the poems and I am left in thought afterwards.' (Michael Stephenson). 

'Enjoyed reading the books of poems, cover to cover, on the flights to and from Denmark.

Don't know if you'll forgive me if I say that you're a romantic (if an angry romantic!!) .. poems full of passion (joy or anger or both) and particularly enjoyed the sense of place and community (and the attacks on them!) that many of the poems invoke.

 Can we ever recover that sense of belonging and shared values amongst the empire of money-fuelled individualism!!

I guess (unfortunately, yet ironically) periods of economic crisis are what bring ordinary people together (but also can lead to the far right getting its dirty hands on things). Let's be optimistic!!' (musician Trevor Wishart).

'Your input and passion for our wonderful culture inspires me very time I see, hear and feel it.  And you can guarantee that I am batting for you at every opportunity I get.' (Aidan Oswell).

'You're the beating heart of wor language Keith.' (Aidan Oswell). 

'The work, all the way from creativity in your writing across to encouraging others, organising events, and so on, in relation to North East culture is immense, in my humble view. This proud region would be very weakened if people like you did not put so much effort and time and talent into all its various aspects of life, not least its history. One of the best writers we have in our region, in my opinion, and that of many others.' (Brian Hall).

'There is a real zest for life in your poems.' (Michelle Hurley).

'I've never done this in my life - i.e. contact a writer - but felt I really had to thank you for the fabulous poem about the Forth Bridge which appeared in the Scottish Review.   It so inspired me that I wanted to hang out the window and shout it across the bay!  (I live on a wee island on the west coast.) Not only do I also love that bridge (I spent my childhood holidays in Fife and always got so excited whenever we crossed it), but I like bridges in general (don't know what that says about me and don't care to find out!).  I'm also a Russian speaker and absolutely love Mayakovsky's great poem inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge. Yours is equally inspiring, as far as I'm concerned. Anyway - all I wanted to do was to congratulate you and say thank you for that truly marvellous poem.  It made my day reading it.' (Moira Dalgetty)

'Wallington Morning - Beautiful! You've still got it, Keith!'

(Matthew Burge)

'No one more local or heroic. A rare individual who has fought to ensure his talent reached out to the world. Keith has developed his poetry within a working culture, taking into his unique perspective the passions of working people. See "Splinters" for a taste. Praised by Adrian Mitchell and internationally.' (Matthew Burge)

'I found it extremely difficult to 'define' somebody of your  artistic calibre and poetry prowess in just fifty words. However!!, I managed to do it, any award will be well deserved.' (Robert Lonsdale)

'You perhaps are in some ways more attached to 'the world' than I -- you're more politicised, more social -- but you have the same internal conviction, integrity and spirituality which have kept you at it all these years and which mark you out as an artist.' (Katrina Porteous) 

'Keith Armstrong, poet of the people. His life’s work is rooted in Tyneside, yet branches out worldwide. Steeped in Newcastle’s history, his poems are bridges into its future.' (Katrina Porteous)

'It seems that not only can you write poetry faster than I can catalogue it, but that there are now more people out there increasing your body of work. Oh dear for me, but good news I hope for you.' (Richard Higgins, Durham University Library)

'One of the best Tyneside writers around. check his work out. Keith produces great stuff on north east life, life in general etc, mainly via his poetry and has put huge efforts into regional historical initiatives.' (Brian Hall)

Retweeted Ben Dickenson (@benjitoon):

@JckCmmn @OldHeaton just finished @jinglinggeordie biography of Jack. Excellent. Now off to write a play based on it!

'Hi Keith.

I am the current organiser of Poems, Prose and Pints in Harrogate, where I remember you giving us a great guest reading a couple of years ago.' (Tim Ellis)

'There once was a poet called Keith who flew by the skin of his teeth. His talent was vast. He spoke of the past. We could all from his books take a leaf.' (Michael Arnell)

'As a Geordie your poems sing to me.' (Stuart Morland)

'I really enjoyed reading your Edinburgh poems, all your work to me, is always full to the brim with enthusiasm about the particular subject and I always get swept along with that enthusiasm and really do enjoy reading the poems, you have a great love and excitement for your native Newcastle and this is always evident in your work and I did sense the same experience when reading the Edinburgh work, your love for the place is quite obvious. I found the poems a great pleasure to read and I will reread them at various times, you have to, in order to fully appreciate their content , I am a great fan of your work Keith and I think maybe you should include the Edinburgh poems in your set.' (Robert Lonsdale)

'Some great stuff here! I always love the headlong gay abandon and celebration of life in your poetry Keith.' (Harry Gallagher)

'I just wanted to say your poetry is absolutely beautiful, so poignant and evocative! The cast love it.' (Rachel Kirk)

CONTACT:  NORTHERN VOICES COMMUNITY PROJECTS, 93 WOODBURN SQUARE, WHITLEY

LODGE, WHITLEY BAY, TYNE & WEAR NE26 3JD, ENGLAND.

TELEPHONE:  (0)191 2529531 for further information and

bookings.

EMAIL:  KeithArmstrong643@btinternet.com