I have spent far too long following links and disappearing down poetic rabbit holes this morning.

When I was researching Imagist poetry for the Ratties writing group , I noticed a link to jazz poetry in some blurb about Langston Hughes. As the musicality of his poetry was one of the reasons I liked it so much, I decided to find out more.

I was immediately sidetracked by references to Mina Loy. What a life she lead! Intrigued by references to the sexuality of her work, I searched for examples. On http://www.poemhunter.com , a really great website, I found seven of her poems.

‘An Old Woman’, yes, I got that and empathised ith the views expressed, but thereafter, I have to admit I was lost. Having tasted the six other titles there and been left rather confused, I thanked my lucky stars that ‘Partruition’, one she wrote about childbirth was not on the list and backtracked to jazz poetry on Wikipedia!

I was intrigued to find direct links from the nineteen twenties jazz poets to hiphop and rap, neither of which, I have to admit, I like much, and also to poetry slams, which I do like. As all things seem to on the web, this led me to You Tube. Ignoring Russell Brand doing jazz poetry as I can’t stand the man, I listened to Eve Packer and Co…and kind of enjoyed it.

Then I found Jahipster, performing a piece called ‘These Hips’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thtjp2V_Q2c).

Wow, what fun. I loved it. Possibly because I too have womanly hips. Whatever the reason, it raised a big smile on this drizzly Saturday morning.