Shall I compare thee to a Poetry Idol novice?

Drag out your Shakespeare sonnets; read up your Pam Ayres, it's poem time, says Andrea Jutson
You've heard of NZ Idol - now make way for Poetry Idol. A wide range of poetry can be heard at an open-mic night at The London Bar in town. New Aucklander Robert Marshall bases his poems not on the historical greats but on the modern king of poets, Bob Dylan. The 22-year-old from Birmingham moved to Takapuna five months ago and is already showing himself more intrepid than most men his age, taking to the stage this Friday. "I don't really look for reasons behind it; I just do it," he says. "I wanted to have some way to say the things I want to say." He doesn't think he looks much like a poet, lacking a tortured expression - he's actually a well-adjusted mental health worker - but he does admit to owning a harmonica. But there's no typical poet, as Idol organiser Penny Ashton can attest. The MC and poet remembers a man of 87 who entered last year, reading poems he wrote about his beloved wife of 67 years. "Poetry Idol is all about showing people that spoken word can rock and isn't just students waxing on about their terrible childhoods," she says. Robert admits he hasn't even read a lot of poetry, although he's making up for that now. "Since I've started reading it, it's opened up the world a lot more," he says. On the night, there'll be three rounds of poetry readings, with two judged by celebrity panel Tusiata Avia, Heather O'Neill and King Kapisi and a third by the audience. Up for grabs is a $300 cash prize with a $100 bar tab.
Poetry Idol, London Bar, Auckland, May 16, 7.30pm. Cost $5 at door. Visit www.writersfestival.co.nz.