25. How The World Gets Bigger by Alyson Hallett - A Friend to Roxy

In this episode you will hear writer and performer Roxy Dunn talking about the poem that has been a friend to her - 'How The World Gets Bigger' by Alyson Hallett.

Roxy Dunn is a poet, scriptwriter, performer and novelist. A graduate of the BBC Comedy Writersroom, Roxy has acted in multiple television sitcoms and her shows have received sell-out runs at The Edinburgh Fringe and SOHO Theatre. Her scripts have been optioned by several production companies and her comedy pilot Useless Millennials was commissioned and broadcast on BBC Radio 4. She is the author of two poetry pamphlets: Clowning (Eyewear) and Big Sexy Lunch (Verve Press) and her debut novel, As Young as This will be published by Fig Tree in April 2024.

Roxy visited us at Pushkin House in London. We are very grateful to Pushkin House for hosting The Poetry Exchange so warmly. Thank you also to poet, Alyson Hallett for kindly granting permission for us to use this poem.

'How The World Gets Bigger' is no longer in print but Alyson still holds a few copies. If you would like to buy a copy, you can contact her directly via the weblink above.

Roxy is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange hosts Fiona Bennett and Michael Shaeffer.

'How The World Gets Bigger' is read by Fiona Bennett

*****

How The World Gets Bigger

by Alyson Hallett

This morning there's a note pinned to your door

explaining why you've had to rush out

and cancel our meeting. I turn back into

the rain, watch it falling on tarmac, rivering

in gutters, little bullets exploding. I unbutton

my jacket, lift my face to the sky. This is better

than crying; nowehere to be and nothing to do.

I walk the christened pavement, cherry tree

hung like a chandelier, the corner at the end

of the road suddenly appealing, the way it

turns without revealing what lies beyond.

From The Stone Library (Peterloo Poets, 2007) www.thestonelibrary.com

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