He shuffles haltingly toward the counter,
the garish neon’s intrusiveness
doesn’t suit his demeanour,
he feels like a peasant
inside the imperial palace;
He always holds things up,
his tone is invariably deferential
although there is no need,
the contrived smiles
and constrained mirth
scarcely hidden as this
clown begins to entertain;
“No,sir,soup isn’t on our menu”
“That’s fifty,no,fifty..fifty!”
“Yes,the sauce is free”
“You can’t have sauce on its own”;
“Yes,the cabbage is local”
The entertainment gradually subsides,
those queuing are getting impatient
Serve him and have done with it;
As he shuffles outside into
the chill autumn drizzle,
the paper bag seems so inadequate
in the great paws of his hands,
tears of thanksgiving appear in his eyes
and are quickly wiped away,
at least he’s never pawned his medals
to pay for this,
not like the Generals
who never have to come here.
About Louis Kasatkin
Freelance Writer,Journalist, Performance Poet and Poetry Promoter
Resume / CV
Senior Editor , 2014 -
Member,Board of Senior Editors,”Episteme” -Online Journal of Bharat College,Mumbai
Editorial Administrator ,2011 – to date
At http://www.destinypoets.co.uk the internationally renowned poetry website in partnership with and centred at Destiny Christian Church, Wakefield, England
Schools based Poetry Masterclasses, 2001- to date
Louis has delivered his poetry masterclasses in interactive workshop format in primary and secondary schools throughout the City of Wakefield and further afield. His masterclasses have often been the pupils’ first and only opportunity for schools to work with a professional poet.
Executive Producer,Wakefield Wireless Mysteries 2012 –14
Louis had the leadership role in this groundbreaking play-for-voices, a contemporary update of the world renowned Medieval Passion plays. He secured the support of Mary Creagh ,Member of Parliament for Wakefield as the project’s Patron.
Performance Poetry Residencies 2010- to date
with Destiny Christian Church
2001-2002 -Poet-in-Residence at Wakefield Cathedral
1999-2000 -Poet-in-Residence at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Rugby League Football Club
Poetry Group Leadership Roles
2010-to date Founder of Destiny Poets
2004-2010 -President, The Black Horse Poets of Wakefield.
2002-2007 -Founder and Convenor of The Cathedral Poets of Wakefield.
Publications Poetry Anthologies ( Author )
2004- A Very Special Collection with The Cathedral Poets
2002- Louis & friends-Wakefield Cathedral Poetry Anthology
Poetry Magazines ( Editor )
2010- to date
“ The Elephant” –Destiny Poets’ published thrice annually
2004-2008 – “From The Horse’s Mouth” – The Black Horse Poets published twice yearly.
2005-2006 – “Poetry Wakefield,City & Dioceses”-
The Cathedral Poets/ The Black Horse Poets
A quarterly magazine for all schools within the City and Diocese of Wakefield.
2002- “ The Cathedral Poets “ –
eponymously titled monthly poetry supplement to Cathedral News magazine.
Freelance Journalism 1979 – 1994
Leeds Other Paper , co-operatively run alternative weekly news publication ,featuring local gig guide, investigative reporting ignored by the mainstream,etc.Louis was primarily the LOP’s Rugby league correspondent – “The Man in the Stand” – from 1983 to 1994 besides erstwhile cultural commentator and guerrilla investigative reporter starting in 1979.
Academic Qualifications
B.A.( Hons.) Organisation Studies 2.2 from Bradford College, 1981 – 1984
Poetry Awards & Recognition
2013 – Overseas Award for Excellence in Arts
Conferred by AuthorsPress ,New Dehli
2008- Civic Reception held by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, hosted by the Lord Mayor to honour the 10th Anniversary of the Black Horse Poets.
2007- Winner of “Wakefield Poet of the Year”-The prestigious Jane Harrison MemoriaL Award at the annual Wakefield Poetry Awards.
2003- Winner of the inaugural Leeds International Peace Festival Poetry Prize (Adult section) with “Hudson River Interlude”, a commemorative poem honouring the victims of 9/11.
invictus 