EDWARD RHODES IS A POET. A born and bred Brightonian with an insatiable appetite for history and an undeniably brilliant ability to play with words. Having established himself with regular performances of his writings at the once-monthly Horseplay event at the Black Horse pub in Kemptown, Edward has taken a leap into the world of the printed verse by publishing his first book of poems entitled All My Masks.
The book is a compendium of work ranging from the personal to the parodist; but the overarching theme of All My Masks is the inward struggle of a man with many different guises wrestling with his identity.
“I started writing poetry as a way to deal with times in life that were difficult emotionally; the book asks the question 'Who's the real me?'”
He Describes the experience of being “Shy and introverted - particularly around women.” and in poems such as the heartbreakingly emotive If We Meet (presented below), Edward is at his melancholic best.
In stark contrast, the book is also scattered with moments of humour and audaciousness, “Some of the poems are reactions to incidents at work or on the bus: a particular favourite recounts a journey to work where the traffic was held up by a Dachshund!” As Edward delivers his performances the audience is invited to share in his frustrations as past feelings are recounted with delicious wit and sarcasm.
Edward is a form poet at heart, often using the rigidity and structure to express himself “in a box”. However, when asked about trends in Brighton he muses:“The city is more avant-garde, more free; poets often express themselves in less formal ways.” This approach has found it's way into Edward's work more recently; with some poems in the book expressing less structured verses. In spite of this he describes his role (with an element of self-parody) as “bringing form poetry back to Brighton.” Watch this space!
When asked about his key influences, Edward ascribes his confidence in performing to Ashley Ffrench, a Brighton based 'slam poet' who co-organises the Horseplay event: “It was Ash who encouraged me to perform my poetry in-front of an audience, instead of leaving them on the shelves at home.” As a Christian, Edward also uses the medium to express questions and feelings about his faith,“Of Course my faith is a key inspiration in my work, but I don't go to events as a 'Christian poet'; I am someone who writes poems and happens to be a Christian.”
As the final act of our meeting I ask Edward to describe what he loves about Brighton, the melancholic poet replies: “It's an accepting place, it's easy to be yourself here... in one word, Brighton is accepting.”
If we meet
So, if we meet again, what should I say?
If I should speak to you, subdue my fear
Should I apologise and walk away
Or linger with excuses, words unclear
And mumbles of regret? Should I decline
To speak to you at all? Wear the veneer
Of sullen, proud indifference, yet incline
My ear to hear your words, if words you speak
And do not with your silence oppose mine
Arouse in me this melancholy streak
Like that which haunts me, waking every day
Should I deny the tears upon my cheek?
Should I speak gracious words, resolve to pray?
Tell me, if now we meet, what I should say
All My Masks can be purchased from the following sites:
