For Cardiff City, in spite of their valiant efforts, it’s back to Square One. For us, however, there’s no looking back, as it’s onwards to Square No.2. Here it is, the brand, spanking, much anticipated, second issue. This was going to be the “Belfast” issue, following on from my excursion to Northern


Ireland’s capital for the academi’s conference there. The cover depicts a cafe I happened to walk past while I was there. The intention was that I would include writers who were at the conference, both from Belfast and from by here in Wales. Sadly however, I haven’t had all that much response from the Irish writers. I was particularly disappointed not to hear from Sinead Morrissey, who recently won the National Poetry Competition 2007 with her poem “Through the Square Window”. It might have been nice to include this poem for its title alone, and perhaps others, but alas, no word back from the lass. You can however read the poem, and listen to Sinead reading the poem at the Poetry Society’s website. An enjoyable time was had, although I must admit that a fair amount of my time was


spent admiring the fantastic legs of Lucy Caldwell. I bought her book, but haven’t finished reading it, cos before I’ve read more than a page or two, I start reminiscing about those legs. I could barely go anywhere in Belfast, without the legs, which had a sort of calming omnipresence, leaping into view. Not that I minded of course. It’s a funny place, Belfast. It kind of makes me think of somewhere like Benidorm – it


tries so desperately hard to feel British, like that’s such a great thing. All that fighting – for what? – to keep WH Smith and Next on the high street? Hurray! So anyway, no Irish writers in the mag (probably never will have now), but we do have


eminent psychologist, Neil Frude, and fellow long suffering Cardiff fan, Ifor Thomas, who were both present, though not as omnipresent, at Belfast. We also have, back once again, like the “renegade master” that he is, Mr John Davies,


with the concluding part of his “Same Eyebrows” story, another former regular at the Square Writers’ Circle, Mr Andrew Shakespeare, founder of new Welsh Poetry competition, Dave Lewis, Jan Price, who at 60 something is finally having her first proper book, “A Better Class of Doggerel” published (congratulations Jan!), poet of some renown, Kate Noakes....plus some stuff by a bloke called Engleburt Bartfast, and a piece by me about Nicky Wire, who can be applauded for buying the magazine twice. Well done Nicky. The next issue should be out in November. I’m hoping the next issue will have a kind of “art” theme, with a look at both Photo Realist, and Abstract Expressionist art. If you’d like to


send poems/other writing in that have either a “realist” or “abstract” feel, or stuff about art, that’d be cool, but all things considered. We are now able to offer a small fee to contributors Send to square@post.com.


Nick


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