Describe yourself in 3 words…
wend / weft / weave
What inspires you?
The fluidity of possibility for change. The way injustice builds a fire in our belly so that flames froth from our mouths in a fierce torrent. The paradox of being human and bearing witness to so much beauty and so much suffering.
Tell us about your worst ever gig?
I was auditioning for a gig and I turned up sweaty and late with my cycling helmet tangled in my hair. My bag fell from the chair and a litany of tampons and snotty tissues dressed the floor. I then proceeded to choke on a half disolved Barocca drink, and had to be laid down on a table, crying.
What’s your number one Poetry Pet Peeve?
I don’t think I have a pet peeve. I love words. Anyone who has the courage to share their innermost workings deserves to be heard. Even if it’s challenging.
Whose words do you love at the moment?
Tapesty, balm, soothe, gentle, solidarity, vicissitude, tongue.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Just keep making and sharing, it doesn’t have to be perfect. You only need one YES. When the universe opens a door, walk through it, explore the landscape and then build your next door and keep going.
What is the one thing, you can’t live without?
The safety of deep, honest, authentic friendship.
About Amy Brangwyn
I’ve been writing poetry for a long time, but didn’t share anything until I wrote and performed a video piece for the #freethenipple campaign that went viral. Since then I’ve performed at poetry nights and art galleries in London and Brighton.
I love video poetry and have had pieces commissioned by the Barbican, TerraAlta Permaculture and most recently taken part in the Apples and Snakes Future Voices project—you can watch the video here. I also love creating bespoke pieces for people, writing them up on my typewriter so that they can hold their words and have a tactile relationship to the poem. If you’d like a poem on any subject at all, reach out to me on IG @amyanamcara.
The magic of poetry rests in its indelible ability to say the unsayable, present the unpresentable and give voice to the parts of us and the parts of society that often go untouched. Poetry navigates straight to the hearts of readers and listeners, from the brutal to humorous it invites questions in a way that no other art form can.
Amy is part of Future Voices. Find out more about the project here.
Amy’s Insta: @amyanamcara