Just over five years ago, I began my journey into the poetry world. Blighted by a preoccupation/ obsession with class and the arts, I brought them along for the ride. I started Proletarian Poetry for two reasons: to put more working class poetry ‘out there’, and by doing so, learning from and engaging with what became 150 poets. I have written around 150k words of commentary, which some day might become a book, and there has been 65k visitors to the site.
However, not in small part due to my continued ill-health, but also because I need to move on a little with my own writing, I have decided to bring down the bright red curtain on the site. I will continue to keep it accessible and will tweet missives relevant to class and poetry.
My next venture is two-fold: first, completing the manuscript for my next collection to be published by Nine Arches Press in 2021. Second, I have just been awarded an Arts Council grant to write a novel in verse (gulp).
I want to thank every poet, publisher, and reader who has been involved with PP, including those who read at the events I organised. Fear not, there is still plenty of working class poetry out there, but I hope in some small way, that PP has added to the barbed wire poetry of resistance.
Adios amigos. Venceremos!
In solidarity, Peter Raynard.
Proletarian Poetry 
All the very best in your new ventures, Peter — and thank you for your good works here!
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Thank you very much.
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Kudos to you Peter – this has been a valuable presence in poetry. It is lovely to hear you’ll be joining us at Nine Arches!
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Thanks Angela. I’m very excited and honoured to part of the NA family.
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A great shame to see you go Pete Excellent work And good luck with the future Some wonderful work here An island of sanity Your site
Like you I retain the urge to fight the class system but I felt like an increasingly lonely voice with a chip but this site re-lit my fire.
I have been following from afar
Regards
Iain MacDonald ex neighbour 45 Forfield x
From: Proletarian Poetry Reply to: Proletarian Poetry Date: Friday, 11 October 2019 at 15:35 To: “iaincs.macdonald@gmail.com” Subject: [New post] Farewell and all that…
Peter Raynard posted: “Just over five years ago, I began my journey into the poetry world. Blighted by a preoccupation/ obsession with class and the arts, I brought them along for the ride. I started Proletarian Poetry for two reasons: to put more working class poetry ‘out ther”
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Thanks so much Iain. I’m amazed to hear you’ve been following the site. Hope all is well.
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you have more silent followers than you realise I suspect. My mum for one who put me onto it. I saw your parents recently and they looked young still. On very good form. The best of luck with the book and you should maybe reconsider this site. It is meaningful and wonderful and has so much potential. Iain
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Big love Peter and you created something that was for the reader in giving an insight to why the poem was written as well as just a space populated by a poem and Bio. The interesting part of PP was a chance and a place for the work you featured to read like a newspage, like a national geographic styled place of the landscape poetry inhabits. I have huge admiration for what you’ve given and for your selfless transparency and bravery in bringing mental health struggles to light. You are also a gifted writer and for that last reason it makes me happy you are drawing the curtain and may light enter the other room upon you as it should.
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Thanks so much for that Antony. More power to you and best of luck with the new book.
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Thank you so much for all you have done with this site, Peter. There’s something very special about someone interacting with a poem you’ve written and sharing insights and joining up the dots. So often, as a working class writer, you can feel isolated and like you’re on the margins but your site has been a way of connecting and amplifying all the voices represented. I wish you all the nest with your future ventures. You are an incredible poet, writer and advocate and I look forward to reading/hearing your future work. Thanks so much. xx
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Thanks so much Hannah, and for your email. I hope our paths cross soon. Peter
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I’ve enjoyed your blog, Peter. Thanks. And Best Wishes to you. Your future plans sound good 🙂
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Thanks for your support over the years Elly. Best wishes, Peter
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Dear Peter, I felt so honoured to be on your wonderful site. You’ve been a right champion for working class poets, writers and people. Thank you so much for all your passion and perspective. I’ve so valued your commentaries on people’s work, as well as sharing from your own life. I’m not surprised you want to move on. Congratulations on your collection and grant. I look forward to reading both works very much. Great to know you, you are such a genuine man with valuable insights to share. Much love Rachael.
On Fri, 11 Oct 2019 at 15:35, Proletarian Poetry wrote:
> Peter Raynard posted: “Just over five years ago, I began my journey into > the poetry world. Blighted by a preoccupation/ obsession with class and the > arts, I brought them along for the ride. I started Proletarian Poetry for > two reasons: to put more working class poetry ‘out ther” >
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Thanks so much Rachael. Best wishes, Peter
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Thanks so much Peter for all the stimulating, often challenging, poetry you’ve shared on this site, and for your always insightful commentaries. Wonderful news about your forthcoming Nine Arches collection, and the verse novel! More power to your elbow. H xx
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Thank you Hilaire, especially for your support over the years. I think you have been the person who ‘liked’ the posts on the most occasions. I’ll get you a drink the next time we meet. Peter x
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Sad to lose you and PP, but huge congratulations on the Arts Council award, and all the very very best for your own work now, Peter. We will all be looking forward to hearing of your successes!
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Thanks very much Denni. Best wishes, Peter
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Oh wow, Pete. But always best to leave us wanting more. All the better to be gone but not forgotten rather than forgotten but not gone (as so many of us are). Thanks for the journey. Hope to see you soon ☺️
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Thanks Brian.
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Peter thanks you for all your efforts.Your avenue is needed more than ever as Working class culture is more than ever under threat.Keep healthy and Keep writing.
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Thanks very much for your kind words. Best wishes, Peter
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Peter, I’m so sorry to hear you’re bowing out on PP but absolutely understand and respect you for drawing the line in this way. You’ve done a fantastic job and I shall miss your insightful and generous posts. Yours is a selfless voice in what often feels like a sea of ‘look at me’ stuff on the web. I hope we’ll still meet on Twitter occasionally and ‘around’ the poetry scene. Huge congratulations on both your forthcoming collection and the novel-in-verse! (And I’m in awe of anyone who manages to get an ACE grant as I’ve always found applying to be a momumental waste of time!) Please stay well and you have my warmest wishes. Robin x
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That is really kind of you to say Robin, and thanks so much for your support. Best wishes, Peter
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So sorry to hear this. Missed this post completely due to second round of surgery, and recovery, after getting hit by a car back in February. was just about to send you my poem, ‘On the death of Muhammad Ali’ for Proletarian Poetry. My debut collection “Sod ’em – and tomorrow”, is launched in London, 29th February at 2:30pm in the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX. Maybe see you there?
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