Rachael Clyne - Write On

 In my work as a psychotherapist, I was familiar with ways trauma impacts those who have suffered abuse or discrimination. It can affect both psychological and physical health with chronic conditions. The person's sense of trust is often impaired, along with the ability to discriminate between what is real and what is a psychological projection of trauma. Survivors often experience being let down, compounding mistrust and making it harder to accept help. The unconscious tends to draw us towards the familiar, despite conscious efforts to change. We unwittingly keep being attracted to those who appear benevolent, but who end up repeating the abuse. Even with awareness, I too found myself repeatedly falling into relationship traps and compounding the trauma. Amongst complex and often overwhelming feelings, it is hardly surprising that some survivors carry reservoirs of unexpressed rage. At the time of abuse it may have been impossible or dangerous to protest, so it is bottled up. Frus

Tuesday's reading in Tunbridge Wells was very well received indeed by a lively and responsive audience. There were lovely open mics from members and I made some interesting connections with poets there. So a big thank you to Dave, Veronica, Jess, Mara and all the committee for giving me such a  warm welcome. It was also being live streamed to members in USA & Australia. What an honour. When I read my poem about waitressing at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, what were the chances of discovering that both the chairman and an audience member saw a show I appeared in there back in 1975?  Memories were cdertainly stirred. It was an all female pre-punk cabaret, The Sadista Sisters, with Jude Alderson, Teresa Dabreux, Linda Marlow, Jackie Taylor.  (I'm the one in a blonde wig). My next port of call will be Southanpton on March 9th. See previous blog for details.

Tuesday February 20th 8pm:   I will be in Tunbridge Wells on at the Royal Wells Hotel 8pm https://kentandsussexpoetry.com/2024/02/02/rachael-clyne-at-the-royal-wells-hotel-20th-feb/?fbclid=IwAR3jYUB2kumLsGMmgwp9fpRSTPZnV-pc4TpAwaA_BeIYWS6boOEsLO91a04 March 9th 4-6pm:    I will be in Southampton at Artful Scribe Lit Fest in the small press showcase, alongside other Seren Poets: Vanessa Lampert, Elizabeth Parker and Taz Rahman March 26th 7.30pm:   I will be in Exeter, along with Hannah Linden reading at Uncut Poets https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/uncut-poets-7/ April 17th 7.30pm:   I will be in Bristol reading at Under the Red Guitar hosted by the wonderful Bob Walton    NB it said earlier 15th , but Weds 17th   is correct . Under the Red Guitar Baja la Guitarra Roja Poetry to relish, written with care, read with flair. Astonishing Poetry Nights at El Rincón the Spanish Bar 298 North Street ● Southville ● BS3 1JU ●

  Turning Drama Into Dharma Life throws all us challenges and this year seems to have been full of them for me. Some have been joyful, such as launching my new book, others, not so much. Having taken this long to feel safe enough to finally publish poems that deal with my Jewish heritage and experiences of anti-semitism, suddenly there's a war and it's become a lot less safe. Other challenges have been a string of health and domestic crises, all very trying but ultimately resolvable. One thing about challenge is that there's always an opportunity (forgive the dreaded cliché) for learning. Learning something that builds character and soul, even if it's simple acceptance. As a therapist I've tried to look at things this way, I may not recognise it immediately and fall into reaction. However, once I catch on to the possibility, it makes a difference to how I process the situation and I'm able to let go of panic and focus on how to deal with it. As my friends can at

You can hear my Seren podcast interview on here:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2035359 I talk about my writing practice, and read some of the poems, as well as discussing the themes in my collection, You'll Never Be Anyone Else 

I feel honoured to be reading with poets Jacqueline Saphra and Jill Abram on November 26th at this afternoon event at the Museum of London in Docklands. It is not an easy time to be celebrating our Jewish heritage, but it seems important to remember and to share what it means to us and to extend our humanity. The museum is currently holding an exhibition in celebration of the Jewish contribution to the Carnaby Street fashion industry in the 60s.              https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/whats-on/fashion-city-poetry-and-music-museum?id=341608 This exhibition is also part of my own heritage. So many migrant Jews were involved in the rag trade. My grandma was a dressmaker and my father (like his father) was a ladies tailor and cutter. He trained in the thirties at one of the top London fashion houses Molyneux, where he made a suit for Marlene Deitrich. He moved to Southport in 1939, as tailor and cutter at Marshall & Snelgrove's department store. Later