"Featuring..."

It's just something I do for fun
I'm not a 'Proper Poet'
But deep down I know that's what I am
Just too scared to show it.
I've grown to love my nights out
Doing lots of Open Mic
But if you suggested I might 'feature'
I'd say get on your bike!
Taking to various stages
Making lots of friends
Thoroughly enjoying what I do
I hope it never ends.
Now I've been asked to "feature"
A fancy term for a longer set
Despite it really being nothing special
It's the best thing that's happened yet.
But this poem's not about me
Though I'm really made up
I doubt if I could be more thrilled
If The Hamlet won the Cup!
I'd like to thank the strangers
Who've grown into 'proper poetry friends'
Too many to name them all
Scared to leave someone out
This is turning into a 'Luvvie'
Oscar winning shout.
There's Niall from 'Unplugged'
My first ever Open Mic host
Real 'proper poets' like Sean
Who encouraged me most
Strangers Like Tom Bland
Who were anything but
And all of those poets
Who refused to tut.
Real performance talent like David
Same as me Sarf Lunnon working class
Allowing me to perform Open Mic
Even if I talk out of my arse.
Always grateful to Lizzie
Who wrote about me in a Lunar review
And to everyone else who
Gives me the courage to do what I do.
Then there's the Dulwich Hamlet fan
Who encouraged me to pick up a pen
I never thought I'd love it so much
My life won't be the same again.
To Alan, Irina, John-Paul,  & Co.
All of you who welcomed me
To your Open  Mic show
And lastly to Ernie
For my forthcoming feature set
I my so far short poetry life
It's the best moment yet.

Dulwich Poet 9th November 2014

(I have been enjoying going to and participating in poetry night Open Mic events for over a year now. On Saturday I did an Open Mic slot at 'Platform 1 Poetry'. At these things you ge 4 or 5 minutes to read what you like. Platform 1 is split into three segments, and you have a featured poet in each one, who gets their name on the pre-publicity, and you get, in effect, an extended 'Open Mic' slot, where you can read for ten minutes.  I have only ever done Open Mic, but for the first time have been asked to do at feature, at an upcoming' Platform 1 poetry night'.  It's not a great achievment compared to the many talented poets I listen to, but inside I am so proud of myself...and am not ashamed to say so...)