RIP Brian Bailey (1954 - 2016)

It is with heavy heart we pass on the sad news that friend and poet Brian Bailey passed away last night, after battling cancer.

Brian was a figurehead in the Belfast poetry scene: an old pro from the days of the Arcadia open mic nights in North Street Arcade, he ran the poetry nights at Bookfinders for a while, and founded the Belfast Poetry Cup, an early local slam than happened at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. More recently, he organised the Poetry & Pints festival at the John Hewitt Bar, and had performed with the music group The Who-Ers.

He also was a great encourager for young talent, and had many a kind word to say to us and other upcoming poets. Brian was the one to suggest running an open mic night in the Safehouse Gallery. That became 'Make Yourself Heard', an early precursor to Purely Poetry.

​Throughout the years, Brian engaged with the poetry community, entertaining us all with wild performances and keen insights. Seeing him read was always a guaranteed highlight of the night. He will be sorely missed by us all. RIP Brian.

This poem by Brian feels oddly fitting today:

Hide and Seek

I must hide
for I have no taste for death.
I am hiding,
heeding,
bleeding
and death mocks its rattling teeth
in its laughing skull.

I must die:
it is written.
I am dying,
crying,
whiling away my deposits
and withdrawing my finality.

I must hide
because my living tends to scare you.
I am hiding,
seeking,
bleaching
my bones from the inside and midnight's strike
brings on the new day.

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