This Is Just to Say: spoken word open mic

Oxford Poetry Library presents a spoken word open mic night! Join us in the library on the first Tuesday of every month to enjoy all manner of word-weaving, story-sharing, and spell-casting.

We welcome poets, storytellers, and writers of all kinds to share their work (or the work of others) in a safe, supportive, and inclusive space. Slots are 2-3 minutes long, and performers sign up on the door – first come, first served and slots fill up quickly so we recommend arriving in good time for 7pm!

At OPL we want everyone to feel comfortable and has space to enjoy the night. That’s why we have a few basic guidelines that we ask everyone to follow:

• Please refrain from using discriminatory language or harmful content in your performance. If you are unsure about your performance, speak to the host when you arrive.
• You should aim to read something that’s around one page or 2-3 minutes – this ensures that everyone has enough time to read.

The theme for this month is THE SURREAL. We are staggering bewildered into the new year in a haze of mulled wine fumes, feeling a little delirious, and we want your weirdness. Bring your dreams, your glitches, your distortions. Reality is optional.

Every month we feature a performer with a slightly extended set and this month’s featured performer to grace our stage will be Syd Meats! Starting out as a singer-songwriter and performance poet Syd had songs broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and was a Hammer & Tongue Regional Poetry Slam finalist in 2019 before he started to type up his work. He has been shortlisted twice for Verve’s Poem of the Month since April 2025, and Highly Commended in the 2025 Charm Poetry Prize. ‘Often tender, always quirky, kind and frequently hilarious. A Syd Meats poem will make the sun come out in your heart.’ –Vanessa Lampert.

The session starts at 7.30pm (performers are advised to arrive from 7pm), at The Community Works (21 Park End St, OX1 1HU).

£5 entry (£2 concessions), performers free.

The building is accessible, but if you have any specific access needs, please drop us an email at oxfordpoetrylibrary@gmail.com beforehand!