Spike Hawkins (1943-2017) was a British poet, best known for his "Three Pig Poems", included in his one book, the

Fulcrum Press Fulcrum Press (1965 – 1974)
quoting Rathna Ramanathan, "English little presses, book desig ...

collection ''The Lost Fire-Brigade'' (1968). He was part of the poetry scene in Liverpool during the 1960s and much of his output upholds the values of that group; short, modernistic, humorous pieces of free verse. He was published in ''Encounter'', ''International Times'', ''The Guardian'' and in the 1972 anthology ''The Old Pals' Act'', edited by

Pete Brown Peter Ronald Brown (born 25 December 1940) is an English performance poet, lyricist, and singer best known for his collaborations with Cream and Jack Bruce.Colin Larkin, ''Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music'', (Muze UK Ltd, 1997), , p. 80 Bro ...

. He was a friend of Johnny Byrne; together, they formed the surreal act "Poisoned Bellows". He was a friend of Syd Barrett, a founder of Pink Floyd. Hawkins continued to be active, for example performing in the 2005 Poetry Olympics at the

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

, having originally performed there in the

International Poetry Incarnation The International Poetry Incarnation was an event at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 11 June 1965. Background In May 1965, Allen Ginsberg arrived at Better Books, an independent bookstore in London's Charing Cross Road, and offered to read an ...

in 1965. Also a mimic, he could imitate

Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from October 1964 to June 1970, and again from March 1974 to April 1976. He ...

very well.''The Guardian'', 16 November 2000, p. 17.

References

* Lucie-Smith, Edward (1970), ''

British Poetry since 1945 ''British Poetry since 1945'' is a poetry anthology edited by Edward Lucie-Smith, first published in 1970 by Penguin Books. The anthology is a careful attempt to take account of the whole span of post-war British poetryMiddleton, Peter (2004"The ...

''. 1943 births British poets 2017 deaths British male poets {{UK-poet-stub

See also

References