Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.

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This week has been fairly busy with reading and writing. I saw five of the planets when they were in lunar alignment, went on a chilly woodland walk, and maintained the garden fence during Storm Eowyn. 

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

In Dangerous Hours

• Author: Kitty Donnelly
• Press: Indigo Dreams

I’ve been lucky to meet Kitty in person at the infamous Black Bough Poetry Party. That’s where I picked up copies of both of Kitty’s pamphlets. Before that, I knew her work through the online poetry community.

In Dangerous Hours is a collection of poetry that examines humanity. Some pieces are inspired by historical female figures, both real and fictional. 

This is a book overflowing with authenticity. Poems including ‘The Crisis Team’ and ‘Three Deers Descending’ and ‘Call Sixteen’ highlight the real pressure on healthcare and those who work within it and use it. This resonated deeply with me as my wife works in the NHS. 

I’ve mentioned that real and fictional historical figures are used throughout. ‘Jennifer Fairgate’ is a poem tackling a true-life event in Oslo in 1995. This is a genuinely smart piece and when read aloud, it sounds like a true crime podcast. ‘Zelda Fitzgerald; Synaesthesia’ is a remarkable poem about breaking down. The poems throughout this collection are strongly evocative.

Kitty is great at interweaving nature into narratives. Pieces such as ‘Dewsbury Country Park’, ‘Barn Sparrows of Chernobyl’ and ‘Sour Cherry’ use nature in varying guises. ‘Kingfisher’ is an exquisite piece that underscores the connection between humans and the natural world.

Buy this if you appreciate incredibly evocative poetry. 

In Dangerous Hours is available to buy here; https://indigodreamspublishing.com/kitty-donnelly 

Favorite Poem:
The Comb. Then The Kingfisher. 

And Finally…

The Book Bag is on holiday for one week as I celebrate my wife’s birthday on a little trip away.

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Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul