June 28, 2017

Every two months, for a special event on a Saturday afternoon,  a group of people from all backgrounds and different age groups meet together at Stratford Library, in East London. They are part of the Newham Poetry Group, which has now 50 members. They want to use poetry as a way to express themselves without the expectation of being a Pablo Neruda, says Sonia Quintero, its founder.

I joined the group on Saturday 24th June and listened the many poems that members freely read to each other. In between we heard songs from a Latin American chorus.

It is a Saturday of poetry and music, at Stratford Library, in London. Four poets have already read their poetry and music will come soon.

— Constanza Martinez Buendia (@constanza_mar) June 24, 2017

Poetry at Stratford Library pic.twitter.com/Pt2HGLGF8a

— Constanza Martinez Buendia (@constanza_mar) June 24, 2017

I had the opportunity to talk to Sonia Quintero about the group.  She told me how successful the group has been: the result of her passion for poetry and her determination to become a part of the community.

In the afternoon of the Saturday event, a Latin American chorus sang a song from Mercedes Sosa, an extraordinary Argentinian singer: ‘All change’ (Todo cambia)

If you want to become part of the Stratford Poetry Group, see the programme on http://www.stratfordpoetrygroup.com or ask at the Stratford Library.