There are some who would express that Bangor has lost its cultural soul to the rising tide of the corporate generic norms, but in a bohemian enclave at the end of a quiet alleyway I found the babbling pulse that is POETica at the Blue Sky Café. Aromas of fresh coffee and the intoxicating murmur of blue note jazz set the atmosphere for the anniversary of POETica, Bangor’s platform for performance poets from the UK and beyond.

A spot-lit stage and microphone awaited featured guests from Edinburgh Duffy and Sophia, together with those of an audience of fellow poets, writers and lovers of culture. All too brief, was a reading by celebrated poet Martin Daws, giving his adaptation of an interactive poem from the evening. The sense of community and enthusiasm was encouraged by compare Dean Nicholls who ensured a round of applause and support for all who shared their work during the evening. Host Soracha Cashman whose organisation is the driving force behind POETica, both read and gracefully acknowledged the cooperation of all that attended.

The evening commenced with a set of five-minute readings from former journalist John Frasier Williams, Anglesey poet Marion Jones, and local poet Gwyn Edwards, who all shared their tangible insights of emotion, humour and experiences that had brought them to this point. Opening the visitor’s performances, Duffy began with dramatic energy. The young writer revealed an intricate, personal, and romantic intensity that was occasionally suffocating in its narrative. An organic glimpse into the living action of inspiration and creation, Duffy related to verse composed during his travels across the country, and a spontaneous avant-garde approach of guerrilla poetry. The beauty of witnessing live poetry is in the individuality of its affect, Duffy’s clear blue eyes, and measured, tactile, method of expression was contrasted by that of American poet Sophia.

Visceral from the outset, Sophia’s body language, and eye contact driven performance resonated with the discourse of social comment. And with the paced sensationalist headline delivery of a news anchor Sophia’s accent fluctuated from its nasal east coast origins, to a broad home counties twang, as did the subjects of her poems, as she lead into a dark and challenging exploration of domestic violence. Sophia is a poetic force of nature, empowered and intelligent, an inspiration for women wishing to realise their own potential. The evening was drawn to a conclusion by the communal readings of interactive poems, created by organisers, poets and …the press. This interactive, altruistic, supportive, environment of friends is the essence of POETica. It is real people, sharing their real love of words and life in poetry.