Cheshire-born poet Harry Owen has been living in Grahamstown for only three years, but he has generated so much creative activity in that time, it's hard to believe he hasn't been part of the landscape forever. Here he responds to Grocott's Mail's quickfire questions.
What’s your greatest ambition in life?
Cheshire-born poet Harry Owen has been living in Grahamstown for only three years, but he has generated so much creative activity in that time, it's hard to believe he hasn't been part of the landscape forever. Here he responds to Grocott's Mail's quickfire questions.
What’s your greatest ambition in life?
To live it to the full with those I love and to try to leave the world at least a little better for my having been in it.
How does Grahamstown rock for you?
Grahamstown is a tremendous place to live for dozens of reasons (not least the fantastic Arts Festival we have just enjoyed) and I feel honoured to be here, but if I have to choose one it must be that Grahamstown is where, miraculously and after too many years to count, I have found again the love of my life.
If there was one thing you could change about Grahamstown, what would it be?
Ugliness, as expressed in the litter that so many people throw around our streets, and in the sheer unsightliness of many new commercial developments.
If you could be mayor for a day what would you do?
I’d make sure that every municipal officer, including the mayor, was clearly reminded that it is they who serve the people, not the other way around. To that end I would decree that anyone wishing to serve in public office here must (a) declare in writing at the start of their term the five most important things they intend to achieve in their job during the coming year; (b) be prepared to work for a basic salary of no more than double the minimum wage; then (c) accept a reasonable, agreed performance bonus at the end of the year – only if they have fulfilled their contracted commitments.
Tell us something about you that nobody else knows?
I’m a genius.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
As a young teacher in England many years ago I was walking back towards the school building from the athletics field with a group of teenagers one sunny afternoon at the end of the annual Sports Day. Thinking to show off my football skills to the admiring youngsters, I pointed to a blue ball lying in the grass and said, “Watch me boot this into the bicycle shed over there!” I kicked the ball as stylishly and as hard as I possibly could. It moved about 30cm – but I collapsed on to the grass in a heap, screeching in agony. What I had taken for a plastic football was actually a 14-pound shot that someone had forgotten to return to the athletics store. Needless to say, my companions were too busy laughing to concern themselves with their teacher’s pain!
What are you reading at the moment?
A novel called Gould’s Book of Fish by Richard Flanagan.
Who are your top three dinner guests?
Rhodes academics Sioux McKenna and Mandy Hlengwa – and Kenny Dalglish, manager of Liverpool Football Club.
What is your favourite recipe?
My wife’s cheese soufflé, new potatoes and sweet corn.
What is your favourite CD?
That changes almost every day. Right now it’s Eden Roc by the Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi.
If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you take with you?
A fully loaded solar-powered Kindle, a very large box of matches and a Swiss Army Knife.
If you could come back as a cartoon character who would you be?
King Louie, the boss monkey in Disney’s Jungle Book.
More about Harry Harry Owen was appointed the first official Poet Laureate for Cheshire in 2003. His work has appeared widely in the poetry press in the UK and US and his collections include: Searching for Machynlleth (2000); The Music of Ourselves (2004); Five Books of Marriage (2008); Non-Dog (2010); Worthy: Poems for my Father (2011) A celebrated reader and performer of his work, Owen released a CD of poetry and music, A Window In My Diary in collaboration with musician Carl Brunsdon in 2006. In Grahamstown he put into motion the popular monthly Poetry @ Redditts sessions, held on the last Friday of the month at Cafe Divine, and mentors a group of school children, who are part of the Upstart programme. Earlier this month their poems were published in a volume titled I Write Who I Am.
