Brian Patten, together with Adrian Henri and Roger McGough, came to prominence in the 1960’s as one of the Liverpool Poets. The primary aim of this trio was to make poetry fresh and accessible to a younger, vibrant audience.
Their combined anthology The Mersey Sound, published in 1967, is cited as one of the most significant anthologies of the age in bringing poetry to a wider audience.
Liverpool Born Patten
Patten was born on 5 February 1946 in the predominantly working class docklands area of Liverpool. Leaving school at fifteen he became a junior reporter on the Bootle Times, initially contributing a music column for the paper.
Henri and McGough were the subject of an early article, resulting in Patten producing a magazine, Underdog, highlighting the work of the underground poets of the day.
His first volume was Johnny’s Little Confession, published in 1967 and very highly regarded on release. Further poetry collections followed, all imbued with the pathos and poignancy common to Patten’s work.
His 1996 collection, Armada, deals with his Mother’s death and the resonance of childhood memories, with the title poem remaining a powerful evocation of loss.
“…for as on a pond a child’s paper boat
was blown out of reach
by the smallest gust of wind,
so too have you been blown out of reach
by the smallest whisper of death,
and a childhood memory is sharpened,
and the heart burns as that armada burnt,
long, long ago.”
Love Poetry
Love, be it passionate, redeeming or unfulfilled is evident in much of Patten’s work. Love Poems, originally released in 1981 is a collection of poems dedicated to the subject and is regarded as one of his most enduring collections.
Poetry Collections for Children
Continuing his mission to bring poetry to new audiences, Patten has produced a number of collections for the young. The Blue and Green: An Alphabet for Planet Earth, published in 1999, won a Cholmondeley Award in 2002 and a novel, Mr Moon’s Last Case, was recognised by the Mysteries Writers of America Guild.
Patten the Performer
Patten is also an accomplished performer, able to balance levity and seriousness in equal measure. His ability to keep his work relevant and fire the imagination of those in attendance pays testament to the energy and longevity of his poems.
Although currently living in London, his hometown has not forgotten one of their most favourite sons, granting Brian Patten the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.
Selected Publications
Armanda (Harper Collins 1996)
Love Poems (George Allen & Unwin 1981)
References
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