Screw Shot Suzy Plays Pool and Other Poems - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Foreword by Roy Noble OBE, DL, K.St.J. Rotary Fellow. Presenter BBC Radio Wales.
A sense of place and belonging. Some people constantly seek such a thing, others seem to, instinctively, have it. The early years for Jan Price were in Cardiff and her first public performance was in Radyr at the age of nine. Following years in Germany, because her father was in the army, Jan returned to God's country to be, gradually, gathered in by the Valleys of South Wales. The love affair with the old mining communities became a lasting relationship and now the Cynon Valley is her home. She has a keen awareness of her patch and of the characters that colour the communities. Her poetic inspiration comes as a full, flowing stream from the people she meets and from the daily unfolding scenes. Those of us who live in the Valleys readily recognise the people and subjects that pop up in her work. Some of her poems bring a smile, others, of a more serious base, spark a poignant memory of understanding.
Jan's poems are viewed by some literati as “doggerel” and she freely admits that, in some cases, the dictionary description of “doggerel” is poor poetry. This, in my opinion, is too hard and unkind an assessment. Perhaps it should be called “pavement poetry” or, as suggested in the book's title, a higher class ... patio poetry. It is work that is clearly accessible to all, enjoyed by vast masses and takes poetry to the populace without any “precious” pomp. I have enjoyed many a night at a “Poems and Pints” convivial gathering and, in the Welsh way. such an evening can really “raise the spirits.” I certainly warm to Jan's work. She flies the flag for others who aspire to record their “life and times.” It was a real pleasure to read this book and I wish continued success to Jan in her voyeur's view of the Valleys. She is, truly, one of us. She knows her place and there is no doubting her sense of belonging.

Introduction
The reason for writing Screw Shot came about from the time I kept the Swan Inn in Aberkenfig. We were members of the pool league, and it required a minimum of six players to play the game. I made up the 6th player and was very good at it. The five men and I went down to play our game in the Social and Athletic club in Aberkenfig. Their pool table was in the bar, and I was immediately refused entry. I explained I made up the team and there was an uproar. In the end after I had tried to claim the game, they said only the five men would play and I could go behind the bar with the barmaid and keep score. They had to bring the blackboard and chalk over to me after every set.

This poem won a talent contest in Slough, a large silver cup was the prize presented by Stuart Hall.

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