I received a message from someone local who’s currently working on a community-focused project that launches this weekend. It’s aimed at encouraging people to think more about the clothes they have, the memories they represent, and imagining what might happen when these items are passed on.
One of the proposed events was to bring in local poets to respond to the above themes, but as the organiser didn’t know many poets, she wanted to tap into my connections. I was happy to help out, and I spoke to two of my poetry groups.
After a week, I was surprised to receive virtually no response to my messages, especially as the clothing event was intended to take place in person. As an organiser, I’ve found that people react to staged events more positively, as the public has become weary of so many virtual ones.
I explained this to the organiser but added that I would still like to contribute. My starting point was a T-shirt from 1996 that I still own, and the resulting piece became an exploration of when I met my first girlfriend at age 12, and how my approach to relationships has changed between then and now.
I don’t know whether I’ll actually be able to attend, as something more pressing has arisen, but I wish her all the best with the project.
Gavin Cameron 
Sounds like an interesting project and yeah a shame not to have got back to you. I’m guessing she didn’t get enough interest over it and perhaps maybe let it go? I think organising something takes guts but maybe they were an anxious type too and felt deflated over it? Or not brave enough to go ahead? I don’t know but yes strange to not get back to people, either way. It’s interesting to reflect on life stuff from what we wear to the partners we’ve had or dates and how all this shaped us over time.
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The project as a whole is still going ahead, but I couldn’t find any solid references to it online; I otherwise would have provided a link. It’s just our poetry section that’s had to be cut.
In any case, she’s a professional, so this isn’t her first rodeo and she’ll find a way to fill the gap.
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