124.Voices for Ukraine

Each month Bruce Bentzman offers Snakeskin an essay about events in his life. There is no May issue of Snakeskin, but he has sent us this account of a memorable concert in Cardiff – so here it is.

There is nothing I need to repeat here about the unfolding history of Russia invading Ukraine. It is covered everywhere in the news. President Vladimir Putin has brought 20^th century war and genocide into 21^st century Europe, where we should know better, when we should have read our histories.

I noticed the blue posters appearing in The Hayes. “Voices for Ukraine” the posters announced. “An afternoon with stars of the opera world.” There was a long list of talent, and a notice: “All proceeds to the DEC Ukraine Appeal”.

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Back again

Crisis over – mostly.

Snakeskin has a new webspace provider afte the death of Extendnet. The current issue is back online, plus a very skeletal selection of other files.

Over the next week or so we shall be reassembling the whole archive of twenty-six years of poetry. But as I said earlier, there will be no May issue.

This sort of thing has happened before during our long history. It’s deeply annoying, but is part of the digital life. We’re sort of used to it.

Our correspondent Bruce Bentzman is among those annoyed that there will be no May issue. He has an essay lined up for us, and it is a topical one. So we’ve decided that, instead of keeping it till June, we shall publish it as a post in this blog towards the end of the month. Look out for it.

Enshrined Inside Me

Back in 2012, Bruce Bentzman published a collection of his Snakeskin essays. In those days he called them ‘Suburban Soliloquies’.

Since then he has had many adventures and experiences, and these are chronicled in the successor volume, just published. Enshrined Inside Me takes him away from the suburbs and into urban retirement, and then, rather unexpectedly to Wales, where he now lives.

The presiding spirit of this collection is Bruce’s late wife Barbara (‘my more significant other’, he has always called her). Barbara was British and had family in Wales, so she took Bruce away from his American roots to Cardiff, a city which he has found most congenial. The book’s last essays speak of the months leading up to Barbara’s death, and of Bruce’s grief.

Those who have enjoyed Bruce’s essays over the years will welcome the opportunity to have them collected in book form.

Enshrined Inside Me can be ordered by clicking here.

Animals Like Reading!

December Snakeskin (online tomorrow) will  not only contain the usual complement of varied and accomplished poems, but will also tell you all about a new print publication – ready just in time to be the ideal gift for the intelligent child’s Christmas stocking:

Animals Like Reading! is a slim booklet containing ten poems by George Simmers, each one illustrated by Bruce Bentzman.

Full details will be found in December Snakeskin, as will an essay by Mr Bentzman which considers his non-career as an artist.

Animals Like Reading! can be purchased here. The cost is £3.50 + postage.

Update December 1st:

December Snakeskin should have gone online first thing this morning, but my internet providers  have gone strange, so that I can’t upload at the moment. When they finally respond to my pleas for help the magazine will be going online.

Later Update:

The site is now up and running properly. The December issue is properly online.

Welcome to Britain

Today Snakeskin’s essayist, Bruce Bentzman arrives in Britain (with of course Ms. Keogh, his more significant other) to begin a new  life in Wales.

Being a Patrick O’Brian fan, he has crossed the Atlantic by sea, and has already sent dispatches indicating that he has noted the regular flashes of the Portland Bill lighthouse. He also had a taste of Britain on board, when served a pint of London Pride beer. It was not to his liking. (I warn you, Bruce, you’ll find many worse pints in Wales.)

Once established in Wales, Bruce will, of course, continue his series of essays.

When he moved from suburbia, he changed the title of the series from ‘Suburban Soliloquies’ to ‘From the Night Factory’.  What we have to consider is – should he mark this new change in his affairs with a new title.

‘Welsh Whimsies’?

‘A Yank Abroad’?

‘Transatlantic Themas’?

Doubtless he will think of something.

Meanwhile – Bruce, welcome  to Britain. I think you’re going to like it here.