Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
Well, it has certainly been a week. I don’t think I’ve stopped at work, and I am looking forward to my break coming up.
My writing has suffered this week. I wrote in response to two prompts, one of which was a late entry to Fragments Friday and the other was an allotment poem influenced by William Carlos Williams. I got a lovely rejection for a scheme that I made the shortlist for and their comments, feedback and encouragement was really valuable. Making the shortlist of anything is a triumph in itself
The allotment is flourishing. We now have flowers on tomato plants and the strawberries are forming. Broad Beans are present. BROAD BEANS!!! There’s also some currants (type as yet to be determined) forming on one of the rescued plants.
On top of that I’ve been reading;
Drawn
- Poet: Peter Hughes
- Press: Broken Sleep Books
I don’t know why but this was my first time reading Peter Hughes. Drawn is a collection of poetry and artwork that has a real sense of being alive. This is in no small part due to Hughes’ expert use of language to create vivid authentic scenery, that is full of movement. Pieces including ‘Ogwen’ and ‘RE:LODE 40’ are perfect examples of this. Two of my favourites in the collection ‘Drawn’ and ‘Periplo: A Prelude’ also showcase this.
There is joy and humour in this book which was much needed this week. ‘For Simon Smith’s Birthday’ (one of my favourites), is excellent and the following poem, ‘Let’s Dantz’ (part of a wider collaboration project) is tremendous fun, full of international locations and pop culture references.
Those poetics who love a book with variations on form and style will not be disappointed. ‘After Lentini’ is a prose piece and after piece in one go, there is also the hybrid nature of the collection featuring interesting and terrific artwork by Hughes and Lisa Santana Hudson (in ‘Drawn’). The ‘RE:LODE’ sequence of poems uses a variety of formatting including use of space to draw the reader through the poems.
This is a collection that will appeal to lovers of hybrid collections, poetics who enjoy poetry with a real vibrancy that is grounded and relatable. Fans of language and style will love this book too. It has made me want to explore more of Hughes’ work, which I will do on my upcoming break. This is a marvel of a book.
Buy Drawn from Broken Sleep Books, here.
Favourite Poem:
I’ve already mentioned ‘Drawn’, ‘Periplo: A Prelude’, ‘For Simon Smith’s Birthday’, and I will mention another five that spring to mind as I’m writing this. ‘RE:LODE 32’, ‘Skoda’, ‘RE:LODE 34’, ‘RE:LODE 54’ and ‘RE:LODE 52’.
Oh, you want a playlist? Here we go for this week’s diverse blend of music that I think goes well with Drawn, we have:
Andrea Bocelli – Con Te Partirò
Elton John – Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill
The Stranglers – Golden Brown
Giuni Russo – Alghero
Cesária Évora – Sodade
Françoise Hardy -Le Temps De L’Amour
Kate Bush – Moments of Pleasure
Radiohead – Street Spirit (Fade Out)
The Three Tenors – Nessun Dorma
Before I Go…
Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s Book Bag Open Mic Session. Tickets and details here. It’s an encouraging and supportive space to share your work, whether it be a polished gem or a roughcut coal.
One More Thing…
I have a poem in ‘These Poems Kill Fascists’ the latest and final Like A Blot From The Blue anthology from Fin Hall that can be bought here. The poetry contained in the pages should be read, heard and shared.
And Another…
If you’ve been keeping up to date with me on Instagram, you’ll know that the inaugural issue of Poetry (in Brief) magazine has been released and I have a poem in there. Read the issue here which features outstanding poetry from an international lineup of poets.
And Finally…
The Book Bag is taking a couple of weeks break as I enjoy some time away to celebrate our anniversary. The next instalment will be June 21st.
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you soon
Paul
Paul Writes Poems 