Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic couple of weeks.
What a couple of weeks I’ve had. A trip to the Lakes including taking in Sizergh Castle, Levens Hall and Hill Top, home of Beatrix Potter. Also, my better half and I, celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary, I’ve hosted Top Tweet Tuesday, launched The Book Bag: Concealed Pockets, hosted Write Here, Right Now and submitted a couple of pieces and attended Regine Ebner’s online launch of Mountains That See In The Dark that was a delight and had some incredible guest readers. Oh, I was invited to read at a forthcoming launch as well which I’m very excited about and a little shocked.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
I Am Not Light
- Poet: Louise Machen
- Press: Black Bough Poetry
I have been a fan of Louise Machen’s work for quite some time after seeing a few pieces online as part of Top Tweet Tuesday. I was especially drawn to the emotion she can weave throughout her poetry. When I found out Louise was slated for a full collection, I kept looking out for the release date. It arrived at the end of May and I ordered immediately. Again I’ve popped an eclectic playlist to listen to further down the page…
Evocative, emotive poetry is Louise’s poetic superpower. The book is filled with strong currents of defiance, conflict and resilience that energise the collection. The pieces ‘A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire’, ‘Becoming An Arborist’ ‘Familial Obligation’ and ‘Dirt’ are just some of the pieces full of impact that make you pause for breath.
Grief is a recurring theme. Not just for the dead but for the living and self. Poems such as ‘A Disremembering’, ‘People Disappear’ and ‘And Then, We Never Spoke Again’ are heartfelt pieces that land with every reading.
Poems throughout the book are relatable, with scenes set so vividly that they feel tangible and immersive. While reading ‘The Queen of Sheba’ I was there, watching the events unfold from the narrator’s perspective, synapses and senses working in unison.
Aside from the poems grounded in life, readers are treated to broader settings. ‘El Corazon’ transports to the cosmos and back again.
Imagery sets the scene perfectly throughout. Urban reality is displayed sharply and keenly in the pieces ‘1989’ and ‘The Playground’. Then we have pieces such as ‘Dawning’ and ‘A Defunct Radio Station on A Cliff Edge’ which contain stark, rugged coastal beauty.
Nature is in integral throughout but used in various ways and depictions. ‘Moss’, ‘Truth-Telling’ ‘Nightingale’ and ‘Amazonite’ are all great examples.
Form is played with throughout. Contemporary haiku makes an appearance in the piece ‘Shore-bound’. ‘In Pursuit Of Edges’ uses double column formatting to accentuate the delivery. ‘Words Never Spoken’ is a piece that uses space on the page to great effect. I should also mention ‘Splinters’ that discusses the role of narrator in Louise’s work. A tremendous piece.
This is a collection that is intimate drawing you into a swell of emotion and poetic mastery. It has broad appeal for lovers of evocative poetry who appreciate expert use of language and vivid imagery. It’s already been nominated by Black Bough for a Forward Prize. A cracking collection that overflows with quality. Buy it here.
Find out more about Louise Machen including other publications here.
Playlist
Oasis – Cigarettes and Alcohol
Ocean Colour Scene – The Riverboat Song
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
Cher – Just Like Jesse James
Salt + Pepa – Push It
Deacon Blue – Dignity
Madonna – Who’s That Girl
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
Garbage – Special
Blondie – Maria
Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen
Queen – The Show Must Go On
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Taylor Dayne – Tell It To My Heart
Sam Fender – People Watching
Favourite Poem:
Again a collection this packed, I have to choose more than one. ‘I Am Not Light’, followed by ‘The Tenth Muse’, ‘Rebel Glow’ and ‘Cherry Bakewell For The Fire Gods’.
One More Thing…
Louise Machen recently hosted Top Tweet Tuesday with a prompt to respond to the title poem from I Am Not Light. You can read my response here.
And Another…
A busy week for Louise. On Sunday she has an audiobook being released alongside Shakquile, Noor Iman & Culain Wood called ‘Which Way The Words Grow’. Available on all major platforms.
And Another…
Vikki C. is the current featured Silver Branch Writer on Black Bough Poetry. Read her captivating work here where you can also learn how she crafts her writing.
And Another…
A couple of weeks ago, I visited BBC Newcastle and recorded some poetry for BBC Upload. I’ll be sharing my experience next weekend. In the meantime you can listen here.
And Finally…
Have you been keeping up to date with The Book Bag: Poetic Voices? A new poem from Matthew MC Smith was added yesterday and is poignant and highly relevant. Read the poem here.
Next Week’s Read
- Title: Lode
- Poet: Gillian Allnutt
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Paul
Paul Writes Poems 