Marc’s new form of poetry

Marc Latham graduated from the University of Leeds in 2005 with a BA in History and an MA and PhD in communication studies. His final thesis was on the relationship between journalists and the military during local conflicts and upon completing the course he was classed as a world expert in this field.

Between 1987-88 he spent his time hitch-hiking and sleeping rough through Europe and the Middle East and he later wrote a book on these experiences. With a desire to write and training in research he hopes to find work as a journalist and specialise in travel, culture and current affairs.

To this end he has recently set up his own website, www.greenygrey.co.uk, showcasing his work after receiving an entrepreneur scheme grant from Business Link and Yorkshire Forward. As well as samples from his dissertation and articles the site contains examples of his unusual ‘folded mirror form’ of poetry. Marc explains:

‘The Folding Mirror form requires that two halves of a poem, either side of a dividing line, mirror each other structurally: ie if there are four words in the first line there should also be in the last line, and if there are three words in the line next to the centre there should be three words on the other side of the middle too. The punctuation should also mirror itself either side of the centre.’

This style of poetry is his own invention and one of his creations recently appeared on www.footballpoets.org. Since posting them on the Writelink website other members have begun creating their own too.

In the near future he hopes to create an e-book of folded mirror poetry and he invites anyone to get in touch with submissions via the form on his website.

Also showcased on the website is an article he wrote as a guest blogger on Suzanne Harris’ website and an article on Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds published on the website: www.travelthruhistory.com, the latter of which providing his first payment for writing work, which has served to encourage him.