Category: Blog

Posted in Blog, Books

New Book

Posted on by Alan McKean

1st of July sees the release (or is it escape?) of my third collection of poems. Technically, it is a half collection, as half of the poems have been included in books 1 & 2 (“81 Kites”, and “The four o’clock in the morning moon”).

As with the other two books, there is no obvious theme, but the one thing all the poems DO have in common, is that I have read/performed all of them at various open mic nights, hence the title.

The book will be available to buy on Amazon, for the princely sum of £5 (or local non UK equivalent currency), along with my two earlier collections.

Enjoy

Alan

Posted in Blog

Blog

Posted on by Alan McKean

just posted a couple of poems in the art section, both relating to the artist Simon Footitt.

One relates to his brand new painting “Blossom in the breeze”, and the other is of Simon himself, in a picture done by a mate of his called Jack Howard, of Simon in full Rockstar mode, playing with his band “Swamp Dog”.

Simon is a talented musician, painter and chef, and a host of other things – almost hateful really!!

Posted in Art, Blog

Rock Star

Posted on by Alan McKean

This is a picture of the artist Simon Footitt in action with his band.

The picture was done by © Jack Howard, a friend of Simon’s

The years pile up
And join
The 70s club

The rock
Still rocks
The roll
Still rolls

And still
No idol frets
From the Rockstar

©Alan McKean, March 2026
Posted in Blog, Books

Book promotion

Posted on by Alan McKean 
Another day, another look
Another chance to buy my book

The maybes, the possibles, the could dos, the “soon”
It’s on Amazon now, it’s “The four o’clock moon”

A like or a repost would please this old man
But better would be, buy it if you can


©Alan McKean
Posted in Blog

Blog

Posted on by Alan McKean

Time for another painting by my friend Simon Footitt, and it is in the “ART” section now.

The picture Simon’s done has no title, so I’ve given it the name of the little poem I wrote for it.

As I said to Simon – imagine a high-rise in The Shire (The Hobbit), and here it is.

Posted in Art, Blog

High rise

Posted on by Alan McKean

(Painting –by Simon Footitt) 



From brown pantile
To red
From red pantile
To gold
From warm, mud brick
To marble,

The waters
Give rise
To glittering spires
Pointing skywards
In Deific praise

The Milkman, 
however, 
Is not impressed



©Alan McKean
Posted in Blog

Blog

Posted on by Alan McKean

Slight change of plan regarding audio files. I have now attached the previously separated audio file “Panic Buying”, which I had posted alongside a painting by Simon Footitt, alongside the original “Panic Buying” written piece, so now both written and audio versions are together on the same page.

I should have thought about that earlier, but I am still learning how to use the website, and how to post audio files.

I rather like the idea of combining written pieces alongside the spoken verses, so I will probably trying a few more in the near future.

We’re getting there

Alan

Posted in Blog

Audio post

Posted on by Alan McKean

I have just created a new menu item for audio files, which I will use for the occasional audio poem, to try and give flavour to a piece. I have posted an audio file of a poem I wrote about people panic buying during the Great Covid Lockdown. I wrote it in 2020, and have used it at a number of open mic nights.

The actual written piece appears in the humour section.

I created the original audio file for use on a local community radio station – North Manchester FM, The Hannah Kate programme – which was producing an on line open mic during Covid, in late 2020, and it seemed to go down quite well.

Let’s see what happens

Alan