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The Book Bag: Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth

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

What a week. Bristol for a conference and back again. A lot of train travel (where I got to talk to some great people and listen to their stories). It did mean I got to meet up with the man, the myth, Matthew MC Smith for a catchup. Did I get lost walking to the restaurant I had picked? Yes! Was it a good choice though? Yes!

Aside from my whistle stop 23 hours in Bristol, I spent a little time editing some of my own work and emailing all the wonderful poets who submitted to the Unwhispered Legacy Anthology. The decisions were immensely tough to make.

At the end of the week, I had a nice chilled out time reading, writing, puzzling, painting and listening to Coltrane.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Circulaire

  • Poet: Bex Hainsworth
  • Press: Written Off Publishing

Circulaire is Bex Hainsworth’s second book, following on from her success with Walrussey. I’ve been reading Bex’s work for a while and have heard her read several times at online open mics. If you get the chance to hear her, take it. Her poetry is authentic, relatable and accessible.

One of the primary themes throughout the book is womanhood. ‘Calf’ is an excellent poem that starts with a frozen water bottle which made me very emotional. ‘Daphne’ is another piece that looks at the power dynamics between women and men.

Grief is a thread throughout the collection and is dealt with in several ways. The poems ‘Lemon Tree in The Algarve’ and ‘Pourrir’ are captivating works that make you pause. ‘Learning Curve’ is poetry that bears a soul on the page and it made me well up on the train.

Another piece in this collection that carries weight is ‘The House of Peace’, a poem centred around a visit to the National Holocaust Museum. You can feel every word.

Bex paints vivid scenery and immerses readers in her poetry. A striking sensory palette in the piece ‘Santarcangelo di Romagna’ is transportative and had me eyeing up flights. In ‘Pebbles’ readers are treated to a warm and loving beach walk that you can visualise spectacularly. The title poem ‘Circulaire’ (one of my favourites) is another cinematic vision that combines place, time and relationships.

Relationships are explored throughout the book. The poem ‘Breaking Up’ looks at the reality of losing a friend through a breakup. ‘Cysterhood’ is a gentle poem of sisterly understanding. In the piece ‘Camping’ (one of my favourites) readers are treated to a glimpse into the burgeoning of love. It’s an poem that is brimming with relatability and authenticity.

Styles and form vary. The piece ‘Shortbread’ (one of my favourites) uses couplets to move the poem along while allowing reflection. In ‘Ode to Plantar Fasciitis’ Bex uses couplets again but breaks lines unexpectedly so you build anticipation to read the next line because you want need to know what’s coming.

This collection will appeal to readers who love authenticity in their poetry. The pieces feel familiar and relatable. If you want emotion that makes you feel it in your heart, this is a book for you. Fans of poetry on womanhood will love this collection. This book is an excellent addition to anyone who likes contemporary writing and in my opinion is a masterclass on poetry about life.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already mentioned ‘Camping’, ‘Circulaire’ and ‘Shortbread’ so I’ll add another handful based on my thoughts as I write this (I could add so many more). ‘Séance’, ‘We Leave Each Other Moons’, ‘Life, Death and the Struggle For Stellar Survival’, ‘Yorkshire Puddings’ and ‘Marriage Preparation Class When Loving For A Second Time’. And I have to include ‘Learning Curve’ for the physical, emotional response it triggered.

To learn more about Bex, click here.

To buy Circulare, click here.

Looking for a playlist to listen to in the background when reading Circulaire? Look no further…

Johnny Cash – I Walk The Line
Alexander Courage & Gene Roddenberry – Star Trek Theme
P!nk – Just Give Me A Reason
Ash – Shining Light
Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
Delirium featuring Sarah McLachlan – Silence (Tiesto’s In Search of Sunrise Remix)
Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
Pulp – Common People
David Bowie – Space Oddity
Kasabian – Fire
Amy Macdonald – The Hope
Coldplay – The Scientist
David Gray – Babylon

Before I Go…

If you’re looking for an evening of poetry on Saturday 31st January, Louise Longson is hosting a special online birthday celebration of Iamb, the incredibly curated platform run by Mark Anthony Owen. The line up is fantastic. Full details here.

Or if you’re in or close to Merseyside on Saturday, Alan Parry and the Broken Spine are hosting Poetry & Pints at The Grasshopper in Southport between 7 & 9pm featuring Martin Kennedy Yates and Jay Rafferty with open mic slots available. Check out details here.

One More Thing…

A quick reminder that submissions for the Black Bough Christmas / Winter anthology open on Wednesday. I’m excited to read excellent work. Read the guidelines carefully here.

And Another…

Reader and Audience tickets are still available for The Book Bag Open Mic Sessions: Session 3. Details here.

And Another…

Chris Campbell, writer of All Island, No Sea and Why I Wear My Past To Work is currently offering mentoring. This is a great opportunity to develop your craft with an incredible poet. Details here.

And Finally…

Next Sunday is a double whammy as the read will be released at 8am and the first Poetic Voice of the year will be released at noon.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: The How In The World
  • Poet: Louise Longson

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: The Liminal Light Of The Night by Carmella de Keyser

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

I’ve had a great week. On Sunday just after sharing my thoughts on Merril D. Smith’s book, I saw two deer running just in front of my house, a doe and an infant. Then my wife and I did a spot of shopping and enjoyed a delicious pub lunch. On Monday we visited The Laing Art Gallery which currently has an exhibition on Miniature Landscapes including work from the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Excellent.

We also celebrated my Mother-In- Law’s birthday & retirement with a couple of meals and a delicious cake. Then everybody saw the wonderful full moon, Brody got extra walks just so I could gaze up.

The allotment is taking proper shape now. We have spread woodchip over most of the ground for pathways. This will enrich the ground which will enrich our produce. Also, we’ve planted our fruit bushes in the cage, including a black raspberry which I’m looking to try.

We took a lovely autumnal stroll on Friday, the trees providing a riot of colour.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

The Liminal Light Of The Night

  • Poet: Carmella de Keyser
  • Press: Hedgehog Poetry Press

Carmella is an incredible poet and human being. Her work always has a deep emotional value that connects with readers.

This prize-winning pamphlet is a combination of stellar poetry and stunning art. Each perfectly placed in order. The poems play out in that space between light and dark, the space where where life is really lived. The artwork has been carefully curated enhancing the terrific writing.

Emotion is at the forefront of poetry in this book. We look at grief in the poem ‘I Count All Things As Loss’ which is a memoir that takes you on an authentic journey, both rough and smooth. No line or image feels like a cliche in this piece. ‘The Everlasting Exile’ is another piece teeming with power and physicality which ends perfectly.

Imagery and metaphor play an integral role in the pamphlet. The poem ‘An Odyssey Through You’ is an exquisite piece (one of my favourites) that is inventive yet feels classic. ‘Dark-Haired Girl’ is a vivid, immersive piece using multi-sensory elements to fully bring to life the words from page into reality.

The language in the book is sublime and each piece has a formidable lyrical quality. Carmella’s use of free verse benefits the words on the page as does the rhyming structure achieved in the piece ‘Bury Me Deep’ which creates a river’s motion.

This is a wonderful collection of poetry complemented by artwork from Vanya Milanova that showcases the human condition. The vivid imagery and journeys these pieces take you on will appeal to many poetics. A real gem of a book.

Favourite Poem:

I’ll choose a few to accompany ‘An Odyssey Through You’ so let me add ‘To The Strangers’, ‘The Closure Of The Dark’ and ‘I Count All Things As Loss’.

To read more about Carmella, click here.

To buy The Liminal Light Of The Night, click here.

You’re looking for a playlist to read along to? Well I’ve curated a small selection of songs that I think work well with the pamphlet;

Bon Iver – Holocene
Joni Mitchell – Hejira
Nick Drake – River Man
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Train – Drops of Jupiter
Tom Petty – Learning To Fly
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
Mumford & Sons – The Cave

Before I Go…

Black Bough Poetry are hosting one of their tremendously supportive open mics on Wednesday 12th November. Audience tickets are still available here.

One More Thing…

If you haven’t already caught up Rebecca Goss’s feature as The Book Bag: Bag: Poetic Voice for November, read it here. This is another poem being added on Wednesday so make sure to bookmark the post, so you don’t miss out.

And Another…

There’s less than two weeks to submit ideas for the festive period to The Book Bag’s Christmas List. This is a way to support favourite poets, presses and fellow poetics in sharing with the wider poetry community. Details here.

And Finally…

The tremendously talented Stephen Paul Wren is hosting an online reading of work from his recently released title with Parlyaree Press, ‘Blood Women’ on Thursday 13th November. Details and tickets here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Fourth & Walnut
  • Poet: Jeremy Over

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: Why I Wear My Past To Work by Chris Campbell

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

I’ve probably asked this about 437 times this week, but how is it October?

I’ve had quite the rollercoaster this week. Sunday morning was spent at the allotment, making a bulb lasagne. Hopefully come spring, we’ll have some lovely pastels flowering. Fingers crossed! 

I also saw Newcastle get (undeservedly) beat by Arsenal. But then we bounced back with a Champions League win. It was also the 2nd anniversary of getting Brody. We celebrated by giving him toys and treats. Unfortunately, the weather put pay to our planned walk. 

Wednesday was the launch of this month’s Poetic Voice feature and I’m thrilled that Carson agreed to take part. If you’ve not read the first part already, catch up here. Thursday was National Poetry Day on the theme of ‘Play’. I shared a small piece on social media. I’ve also added it here with my TopTweetTuesday entry.

Also, this week I’ve sent off several submissions and had some good news. You may remember my poem ‘Laundry Day’ was accepted and published by Dust Poetry Magazine (link here), well I’m beside myself, because it has been nominated for a Best Of The Net award. I’d like to say thanks to Dust for trusting in my work and congratulations to all other nominees. 

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Why I Wear My Past To Work

  • Poet: Chris Campbell
  • Press: Parlyaree  Press


This is Chris Campbell’s second appearance in The Book Bag. He is back with a bang in Why I Wear My Past To Work, a collection that spans recovery from illness, family, relationships and life. There is definite evolution in this collection from All Island, No Sea. I was lucky to be part of his online launch a couple of weeks ago. If you get a chance to hear him read, take it. His voice carries real weight and emotion. 

One of Chris’ main strengths is his sharp observation. He can immerse a reader in a scene or situation that feels relatable rather than forced. Poems such as ‘Five Schoolboys Pick Pyracantha’, ‘The Sea Steals Our Picnic Blanket’, ‘The Meadow, Dugdale Avenue, 1993’ and ‘Revellers Howl In The Fine Hours’ excel in this vein. The piece ‘Cold Crooks By This Fire Pit’ made me think of ‘Hippy Green’ behind Old Eldon Square in Newcastle.

The pieces relating to Chris’s recovery are at times harrowing and at times funny. ‘Today I Can’t Speak’ is compact yet compelling. ‘In The Queue At Bristol Royal Infirmary’ is a darkly funny piece that is so relatable to anyone who’s spent time in an A&E and one of my favourites. Poems including ‘After Leaving The Ward’ and ‘Holed Up After Hunting For A Gift’ also highlight Chris’ spirit, resilience and the journey he has been on. In these pieces we are seeing Chris at his most vulnerable.

The pieces in this collection which address his relationship with his family are delicate and authentic. Poems including ‘Day Trip, 2000’, ‘You Are Here, Grandad, In This Mute Playpark’ (which left me in a flood of tears) and ‘Bin Workers Wake You’ are all perfect examples of this across a scale of emotion. ‘My Son Grows as I Regress’ is a tremendously thoughtful and moving piece.

Aside from family relationships, Chris connects with everyone, he is after all a genuinely decent human being. I must the poem ‘I Drown During An Awards Do As The Queen Dies’ where Chris confronts a former soldier who is spouting bigoted diatribe. The piece ‘How This Cuban Shop Serves Pachanga’ is a lovely poem on community full of sensory imagery. We need more Chris Campbell’s in the world.


In terms of form, Chris uses a variety throughout including couplets in ‘A Helping of Sand After University’, compared to the flow of single-versed ‘Our Date Night Will Be Ponchos In January’. In ‘I am The Man I Wanted To Be’ we are shown some neat, intricate internal rhyme along with honest introspection. I really enjoyed some of the surprising line breaks throughout the book especially in ‘There Is A Mortuary On The Horizon’.

This collection will appeal to poetry lovers who appreciate heartfelt poems from a masculine perspective that don’t border on cliche. Lovers of vivid imagery and sharp observations will appreciate the pieces throughout this book. These are poems to return to time and again, it feels like having a conversation with a friend who relishes family, friends and the small (and big) things in life. Also if you’re looking for gift inspiration for the forthcoming festivities, Why I Wear My Past to Work would make a great Christmas present. 

Favourite Poem:

I have several favourites in this collection. I’ve already mentioned ‘In The Queue At Bristol Royal Infirmary’ so I’ll stick to another five as I’m writing. ‘Who Gave Our Kid Glitter Stickers’, ‘You Play The Violin On Your Mum’s Birthday’, ‘Shove Your 3-for-2 Flyer’, ‘Let Me Breathe Apricots’ and ‘Why I Wear My Past To Work’. I must also give a special mention to ‘Egg Lamp’s Verdict’. Oh and ‘Ode To The Pruning Woman Eaten by Vines’ is pretty special too.

To learn more about Chris, click here. 

To buy Why I Wear My Past To Work click here.

And of course, it wouldn’t be The Book Bag without a playlist to accompany Chris’s collection, so here’s an eclectic selection to pair with the book…

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
Florence & The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
Oasis – Songbird
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Miles Davis – Blue In Green
Yusuf Islam – Father & Son
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Three Little Birds
The Verve – Sonnet
Bill Withers – Lean On Me
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Mumford & Sons – After The Storm
Portishead – Only You
Muddy Waters – Got My Mojo Working
Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending

Before I Go…

Frazzled Lit are open for free submissions throughout October. I am excited and honoured to be part of the reading panel which also includes Louise Machen and Val Roberts. Details and Guidelines here. Send your best work.

One More Thing…

Broken Spine Arts have another thematic callout for submissions, this time for gothic poetry to be included in ‘The Havisham Steps’ anthology. Details here.

And Another…

If you want to partake in a supportive and friendly open mic, The Book Bag Open Sessions: Session 1 is on Sunday 9th November between 7 & 9pm (UK Time), via zoom. Share polished gems or roughcut coals. Or sit back and enjoy as an audience member. Details here.

And Finally…

Mark Anthony Owen’s excellent ‘After…’ journal is open for submissions throughout October looking for ekphrastic / after pieces. Full details here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Somewhere A Tree Waits For An Angel Or A Butterfly
  • Poet: Eileen Carney Hulme

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson by Rhian Elizabeth

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

Welcome back to The Book Bag! What a couple of weeks. Let’s start with writing – The Book Bag: Poetic Voice for September was revealed and I’m so happy to be featuring Pascale Petit who has been incredible to communicate with.

I’ve sent several submissions out for different things. Been to a couple of open mics. I also had the August meeting of Write Here, Right Now. Maybe you saw the news on Instagram of an exciting forthcoming opportunity. I’m super happy to be creating an anthology of poetry and am looking forward to reviewing the submissions when they come in.

Away from writing, I’ve been jamming on my saxophone, met up with my mates for the first time in a long time for football, food and a few drinks which was a great laugh. Also my wife and I have signed up for our first allotment and have been busy digging out weeds and preparing for winter sowing. My body ached after day one from shearing down thistles. I’m looking forward to reading collections on the small patio area once it’s complete.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson

  • Poet: Rhian Elizabeth
  • Press: Broken Sleep Books


I’ve read some of Rhian’s work online prior to reading Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson and had heard excellent things about the book. I also saw Rhian standing up for what’s right by withdrawing from the Polari Prize. So without further ado, let’s jump back into The Book Bag…

One of Rhian’s key strengths is her honesty and humour in her poetry. The poem ‘To The Girl Who Said I’ll Never Be Happy Because I’m Too Picky’ is unflinching, smart and hilarious. I completely agree with the first couplet following the opening. The opening poem ‘Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson’ swings from tragedy to laugh out loud funny to sad in quick succession.

A theme within the book is relationships. Whether familial, romantic, friendship or otherwise, Rhian is explicit and unapologetic when discussing these. ‘Glasgow’ is an excellent piece that feels relatable, starting in the confines of a kitchen then expanding outward. ‘Boxing Day Night And My Daughter Drives Us Back In The Fog’ is an emotive piece about the change in status between mother and daughter with an ending that feels triumphant without cliché.

There’s also a dark side to this theme. ‘The Photograph & The Man Who Took It’ made me rage and I had to stop reading and take the dog out to calm down.

There are some excellent pieces on introspection. ‘Camden’ (one of my favourites) is letter littered with stream of consciousness and imagery. ‘Mona Lisa Mona Lisa’ is another perfect example but through a different lens.

Throughout the book, Rhian plays with styles and space. ‘Drowning on a Strangers Couch’ has a wonderful prose feel is completely different to ‘Sea Glass’ which plays with space, (another of my favourites).

This book will appeal to poetry fans of uncompromising, unflinching raw poetry that is filled with humour. If you like your poetry to have an emotional connection that makes you feel it in your bones, you will love this book. I love it for all of those reasons and more, a unique, authentic, captivating collection.

To buy, Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson, click here.

Favourite Poem:
I’ve already mentioned a couple in ‘Sea Glass’ and ‘Camden’ so I’ll add another three into the mix although I could choose a ton more. ‘Ribbons’, ‘Cry Like A Bitch’ and ‘Amsterdam’ are what I’ll go for today.

Oh, you didn’t think I’d forget the playlist did you…

Catatonia – Mulder and Scully
Bananarama – Venus
Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Rachel Stamp – My Sweet Rose
Barbara Streisand – The Way We Were
Blur – Coffee and TV
Schubert – Ave Maria, Op 52 No. 6 D.839
Blondie – Call Me
Hal feat. Gillan Anderson – Extremis
Mark Snow – The X-Files Theme

Before I Go…

On Friday 12th September 2025, Chris Campbell is launching his latest collection from Parlyaree Press, ‘Why I Wear My Past To Work’. I have been asked to read at the launch, which I’m incredibly grateful for. If you want to see Chris launch his book and hear some of the work from its pages as well as a excellent lineup of other poets, check the Parlyaree Press website here.

One More Thing…

The Broken Spine have opened submissions for their latest slimline anthology. You can submit poems for Verdigris until the end of September. Send your best work. Full details here.

And Another…

If you’re looking to read stunning poetry and view exceptional artwork, look no further than Biophilia from The Winged Moon. Find it here.

And Finally…

It’s great to be back! I’m looking forward to sharing lots more amazing pamphlets and collections with you and the concealed pockets will be opened to share a few different things.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Husband Material Volume 2: 27 Addresses
  • Poet: DL Husband

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: Welcome To The Museum of A Life by Sue Finch

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

This week has been a busy one especially at work with the release of exam results. At home I’ve submitted a couple of pieces (got an acceptance which set me up for a great day on Thursday), worked on my own writing, enjoyed the sunshine and took a trip to an excellent charity bookshop. In the kitchen I made a chocolate and raspberry mousse which was delightfully light. Also, I brunched at Etto Gosforth (Sourdough French Toast with Maple and Bacon for me with a Latte) and welcomed back the Premier League Season and Fantasy Football.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Welcome To The Museum Of A Life

  • Poet: Sue Finch
  • Press: Black Eyes Publishing UK

First off, I’ll say I’m a fan of Sue Finch and we interact regularly on weekly prompts notably on TopTweetTuesday. Her shadow photos with dandelions as eyes are always good to see and uplifting.

Welcome To The Museum Of A Life is in sections as a gallery would be. Readers enter through the Foyer, exiting the collection via the Gift Shop as is proper in many museums. So without further ado, lets not get tangled in the entry gates and get on our way…

One of Sue’s main strengths in poetry is her ability to weave emotion and authenticity throughout her work. Poems including ‘Tuesday Night’ and ‘Silence’ display this incredibly well. I loved the poem ‘Peacock’ for its transition of emotion from amused observer to caring participant by the end. ‘When I am Gone’, one of the collection’s final pieces made me smile and tear up. ‘That Coin’ made me smile again and kept me smiling because of how purely and real falling in love is described.

Another skill that is showcased throughout is imagery. ‘My Hybrid Heart’, ‘When I Saw Jesus In A Tomato’ and ‘An Apple For My Mum’  are all prime examples of how to establish a scene that can feel so familiar and recognisable that you think this poem gets me and I get this poem.

Sue is deft at surrealist poetry too. The piece ‘I Hate You’ opens with an interaction between narrator and cow, a heron and an unknown bird. One of my favourite pieces ‘A Pelican Is Dancing On The Patio’ explores perception incredibly. ‘I’ve Nothing To Offer The White Horse In The Dream’ feels like a reckoning and I flinched on reading (I do have a slight fear of horses).

I’ve already discussed the book being divided into galleries. Another point to mention is that the galleries are varied in their themes and as in any good museum, a list of curated exhibits are introduced before you step in. Keep an eye out for the ‘Museum Of A Life: The Unexhibited’ which takes us behind the no entry signs to see what could be rotated in.

This curated collection will appeal to readers who enjoy their poetry underpinned by vivid imagery and honest emotion. Fans of surrealism and dreamscapes will enjoy this book. If you like visiting museums, you’ll love this book. I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the exhibits and my gift shop budget is too small to buy all the trinkets I’d like. Definitely one of the best museums I’ve visited.

To read more about Sue, click here or here which is Sue’s Silver Branch feature on Black Bough Poetry where you can read some of her work.

To buy Welcome To The  Museum Of A Life, click here.

Favourite Poem:

There are a few to choose from this week so I’ll go for seven! In no particular order, as I am writing I’ll go for; ‘A Pelican Is Dancing On The Patio’, ‘When I Am Gone’, ‘That Coin’, ‘Invitation’, ‘I Don’t Know’, ‘Digging That Hole’ and ‘Rescuing The Giraffe.

And finally, here’s an eclectic playlist nobody asked for, but everyone secretly wanted:

Museum of Light – Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel & Slava Grigoryan
Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
Museum – Donovan
National Gallery – Paul Weller
Andy Warhol – David Bowie
Mona Lisa’s & Mad Hatters – Elton John
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
The Gallery – Joni Mitchell
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – The Beatles
Pictures of Lily – The Who

Before I Go…

A few weeks in The Book Bag I mentioned that I had been asked to read some work at a launch. Well on 12th September that Launch is happening online for Chris Camplbell’s new book from Parlyaree Press ‘Why I Wear My Past To Work’. For more information and booking details, click here.

One More Thing…

Keep an eye out for another list of Rishi Dastidar’s hobbies being added to his feature in The Book Bag: Poetic Voices. Catch up here.

And Another…

Broke Spine continue to do good things on Bluesky. A new project they are launching on Wednesdays is for works in progress. Check their Bluesky for more details and to get involved.

And Another…

Wee Sparrow Poetry Press are hosting a free online haiku workshop with the President of The British Haiku Society Ilyana Stoyanova on September 7th between 5 & 7pm UK Time via zoom. Email theweesparrowpoetrypress@gmail.com to book.

And Finally…

Just a reminder that your weekly dive into The Book Bag will return on 7th September. September’s Poetic voice will still arrive on the 1st.

The First Read Upon Returning From My Break Is…

  • Title: Maybe I’ll Call Gillian Anderson
  • Poet: Rhian Elizabeth

Take it easy and stay poetic.

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – August 2025

Welcome to the second instalment of a new feature as part of The Book Bag. Poetic Voices will feature a different poet every month. This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and will run concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on books I’ve read in the week.

This month, I am delighted to share this writer’s work. Someone who I have enjoyed following since I began writing poetry (‘The Craft’ was one of the first books I read to help my style and approach), I am delighted to announce that the featured poetic voice for August 2025 is … Rishi Dastidar.

Credit: Naomi Woodis

Rishi Dastidar’s poetry has been published by the Financial Times, New Scientist and the BBC, amongst many others. His third collection, Neptune’s Projects (Nine Arches Press), was longlisted for the Laurel Prize, and a poem from it was included in The Forward Book of Poetry 2024. He is also editor of The Craft: A Guide to Making Poetry Happen in the 21st Century (Nine Arches Press), and co-editor of Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different: Poems from Malika’s Poetry Kitchen (Corsair). He reviews poetry for The Guardian and is chair of Wasafiri. His latest publication is A hobby of mine (Broken Sleep Books).

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing pages from Rishi’s latest book ‘A Hobby Of Mine’ available from Broken Sleep here. Our first instalment is from page 9.

The next instalment of Rishi’s hobbies will be added on August 10th 2025.

Here we are as promised, taking in some more of Rishi’s hobbies from his book A Hobby Of Mine. You can find more on Rishi at his website here which includes links to his socials including Instagram, which is consistently great to follow. Without further ado….

So here I am a day late (due to technical issues) to share a third list of Rishi’s hobbies as part of this months Poetic Voice from his latest collection ‘A Hobby Of Mine’ available from Broken Sleep here. This list comes from page 37.

I have laughed so hard at some of these hobbies that ‘a hobby of mine’ is reading Rishi’s book and pointing out similar hobbies! Thanks Rishi!

Take it Easy and Stay Poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag: East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon by Taz Rahman

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

This week has been a fun one. Projects coming together, submissions entered, lovely sunshine walks with my wife and Brody the dog, Julian Cason wrote some very nice things about me on Top Tweet Tuesday reviews week, I cooked up a storm in the kitchen, played some sax and gardened a little. I also saw my first swift and watched the pipistrelles swirling in the twilight.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

East Of The Sun West, Of The Moon

  • Poet: Taz Rahman
  • Press: Seren Books


I was lucky enough to see Taz perform live at the incredible Black Bough Poetry fundraiser in aid of WellChild in Neath in 2024. If you get the chance to hear him read and perform, sit back and enjoy.

Jazz. Poetry. Two art forms that complement each other in terms of speaking an improvised language that is unusual but makes perfect sense at the same time. In their purest forms they are outlets for the disenchanted, disenfranchised, the dismissed. They also happen to be two of my passions. I’ll share a playlist that I listened to whilst reading this book further down the page.

Imagery is delivered with the grace and flourish of a blues scale. ‘Bread of Heaven’ is a perfect example of immersing a reader in a poem that by the end you feel a sense of connection to the poet. This is also the case for ‘Animal Wall’, a sectioned piece that incorporates folklore.

There’s genuine emotion on display throughout the book. The poem ‘Chocolate’ displays fear compared to ‘Sanctuary’ which I felt showed his feeling of safety and peace. I must almost mention the piece ‘Drama/Trauma’ which is really important and exquisitely crafted.

For the romantics, which I count myself as, ‘I Want To See Your Face in Every Kind of Light’ is excellent. I also consider ‘The Free State of Roath’ to be a love poem either to person or place.


Place is important in the book. There are references to Cardiff and Wales, scattered throughout. ‘The Nearness of You’ takes a walk-through Cathays Cemetery. I’ve already mentioned ‘Animal Wall’ and ‘Sanctuary’ above but you get a real sense of surroundings with Taz’s deft use of vivid language.

Equally important is Taz’s admiration and relationship with nature. This is apparent in his language. Poems such as ‘Muktijoddha’, ‘Snapdragons Need The Bulk of Bumblebees to Force Open The Flower’ and ‘Substrate Of A Rose’ show this off really well.

There are poems linked to Taz’s heritage that lift from the page through sensory experience. ‘Anda’ is mesmerising with scents of daal, hot sugar and rosewater. ‘Yashica 365’ is a poem that opens the book with a rich tapestry of language that is evocative, full of sounds, smells and colour.

Taz plays with different forms and styles throughout in the book. These shifts add interest and deliver his lyrical language sometimes interpreted messages with great skill. Pieces such as ‘Permission’, ‘Trap Arachnids For Rainy Days’, ‘Amygdala’ and ‘Chocolate’ are a selection that show the variation and strength of his skill. Also, I must mention the introductions and quotes that precede some of the pieces. It was great to see Johnny Cash mentioned, someone with a deep relationship with Jazz.

This collection is one of my personal favourites. The connection between jazz and poetic skill and language often mirrors itself throughout. Taz uses rich imagery and terrific language and turns of phrase and has crafted an exceptional book. A masterpiece. Buy it.

Also as promised, a playlist to listen to while reading. This was my personal choice anyway…

Trying To Figure It Out – Grace Kelly
Freddie Freeloader – Miles Davis
C Jam Blues – Charles Mingus
Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk
In A Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
East of The Sun (And West of The Moon) – Charlie Parker
Night In Tunisia- Dizzy Gillespie
Mood Indigo – Frank Morgan
Blue in Green – Cannonball Adderley

Favourite Poem:
I’m choosing three this week. Permission, Turning Saints into the Sea and East of the Sun, West of the Moon.

Taz has a website over at https://tazrahman.blogspot.com/ where he regularly shares updates and news.

To grab yourself a copy of this terrific collection, visit the Seren Books website here.

One More Thing…

Keep a close eye out for a new monthly feature from The Book Bag launching on June 1st. It’s an exciting development which I think you will all enjoy.

And Another…

For the Short Story authors, this is a polite reminder that the great people at Frazzled Lit are opening their competition on 1st June. Details here.

And Another…

Fans of open mic’s, whether to perform or be in the audience, the Broken Spine Arts #PoemsAbout event takes place Thursday 29th May. All the information can be found here.

And Finally…

Regine Ebner and Black Bough Poetry are having an online launch for her collection Mountains That See In The Dark on Saturday 7th June 2025. There’ll be readings from Regine and special guests. Grab yourself a free ticket here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: When It Rained for a Million Years
  • Poet: Paul Farley

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: Soi-même by Victoria Spires

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

This week has been hot and sunny in Newcastle, and I’ve been able to absorb some Vitamin D in the garden (I also tripped over and landed in worm tea – not my finest hour). My wife and I also took the dog to the coast for a walk and ice-cream for breakfast!

On Monday evening, I did have to call the fire brigade during our dog walk. Someone thought it would be funny to set fire to trees in the nearby community orchard where lots of birds are currently nesting. The fire service was on the scene in quick time.

Poetry wise, I was lucky to do a reading and interview, details to be shared soon. Also, I’ve sent out some submissions, had an idea for participants of Write Here, Right Now and did something very exciting. Also, on Friday, the final episode of this season’s Thousand Shades of Green aired which featured work on the theme of water from myself and fellow contributing poets from the season. You can listen here . It was such a privilege to be part of and look forward to returning to feature again in the future.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

  • Poet: Victoria Spires
  • Press: Salò Press

I first read Victoria Spires’ poetry on social media, I want to say in response to a prompt on Top Tweet Tuesday. Since then, I have read her work in multiple anthologies and lit mags where her poetry is always polished and beautifully crafted. She also introduced me to the ‘Sevenling’ form which I have practised a bit. Victoria is also a contributing editor to The Winged Moon, an excellent poetry magazine which has regular competitions and a weekly newsletter.

When Victoria announced on BlueSky that her debut pamphlet was incoming, I jumped straight on the pre-order page (a bargain from Salò Press).

Touch recurs through the book in various ways; ‘On Surrender’ begins tentatively and delicate between two people while the poem ‘Trouble’ looks at the want of haptic feedback from both the writer and inanimate objects like door handles. Poems in the collection are equated to desire (as stated on the back cover) and you definitely feel this upon reading. At points there is real intimacy.

There is an array of forms used in the pamphlet, sometimes from page to page. A prime example is the change of style from ‘A Hawk from A Handsaw’ to ‘Soi-disant’. Each form used gives extra focus to the poems and adds a little mystery before you begin reading.

The way in which emotion is portrayed within the pamphlet aligns with the nature of the poem. In ‘Soi-lui’ there is an edge, confrontational maybe. However, in ‘Orchard’, the emotion is mostly guided through the poem with touch and imagery.

The vocabulary in the collection is also worth mentioning for the sheer scale and precision of use. ‘Moon Almanack’ and ‘Mare Crisium’ taught me a handful of words unfamiliar to me which fit perfectly in place in the pamphlet.

Another benefit of incredible language use is the imagery within pieces such as ‘Brain As Radula’ and ‘Soi-lui’. This is also the case in ‘Sanguis’ which partners image, metaphor and form across the page.

This is a book that will appeal to many. At times it feels very intimate and is filled with poems exquisitely crafted that linger in the mind long afterwards making you return time and again. Highly recommended.

Favourite Poem:

White Gold.

If you want to keep up to date with Victoria, she has recently launched a Substack that can be found here.

To buy your copy of Soi-même (a bargain), click here.

One More Thing…

It was International Dylan Thomas Day on Thursday. Here is one of my favourites. Drop a comment with yours…

And Another…

Broken Spine Arts have an open mic on Thursday 29th May 2025. Details here of this always supportive event.

They have also released spotlights on the contributors to The Whiskey Tree Wave 2. Give them a read, all interesting insights to poetic thinking and inspiration. More info here.

And Another…

Black Bough Poetry are hosting a launch for Regine Ebner’s ‘Mountains That See In The Dark’ on Saturday 7 June 2025 at 630pm UK Time. Details here.

And Finally…

It was great to see recently featured Poyums by Len Pennie win the Discover Award at the 2025 British Book Awards this week. A triumph for poetry and Scots language.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
  • Poet: Taz Rahman

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag: Poyums by Len Pennie

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

This week has been hectic and fun. A new oven installed, a trip to the Bluebell Woods in Morpeth for a walk with the dog. On top of that; I’ve had two poems accepted for the Beautiful Little Fools Anthology (out in July from Broken Spine Arts), celebrated Earth Day and the Bard’s Birthday with a couple of pieces posted for TopTweetTuesday and Twednesday. And to top it all off, the wonderful podcast from Susan Richardson, A Thousand Shades Of Green featured some of my work.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Poyums

  • Poet: Len Pennie
  • Press: Canongate Books

Poyums is the debut collection from Len Pennie. It is a book filled with unflinching honesty, raw emotion and powerful messages relating to issues including domestic violence. A large number of Len’s poems are in the Scot’s language, which emphasises the importance of the words on the page. I have Scottish blood from my Mam’s side of the family and didn’t even realise that Scot’s was a language and not dialect. As such i’ll research that a bit more.

A key theme within the book is empowerment. Pieces including ‘Reflections’ and ‘Contradictions’ tackle this subject in different ways. ‘Reflections’ is a standout piece of writing that gives a real impetus on female strength and reads like a letter written to women and girls, encouraging them to follow their own path.

There are also some dark moments scattered throughout the collection. This begins with the opening piece, ‘Honey’ a raw and honest account. Poems including ‘Mornin Fucker’ and ‘In The Name Ae The Wee Man’ also deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship. The piece Ourobouros (my close second favourite) is sharp, incisive and cutting with a tremendous depth and defiance at the end.

Misogyny rears its ugly head in the poem ‘In Their Own Words’, created from messages sent to the author. This is a disturbing reminder of the world and the way in which some men think they can objectify women. It’s a shocking state of affairs. In fact, when researching ‘Poyums’, I was shocked to see how much crap the Len Pennie has had to deal with.

Len Pennie is deft at highlighting irony throughout her collection. This is expertly shown in the poem, ‘A Father of Daughters’ . In‘The Child’, Pennie shines a light on double standards that girls have to live with growing up.


An important theme within Poyums, is mental health. ’40 Seconds’ is a devastating poem centred around suicide. This is followed immediately by ‘Angels’. These are brave, heart-wrenching, important pieces.

Underlying a lot of the poetry is wit. The poem ‘Oh, Look’ delivers a tremendous closing line. The pieces ‘The Muse’ and ‘Aince Upon A Time’  are examples where humour shine through.

In terms of form, I’ve already mentioned letter-style poetry. The pieces in the collection use clever rhyme and meter which lends itself to performance and delivering the direct messages of these work to the reader. There are some terrific rhyming structures that also take place out of the confines of ending lines. The rhythm of the pieces can also take turns midway through.

This is a starkly honest collection of poetry that doesn’t avert its gaze from the ordeals that Len Pennie has gone through. It deals truth, grit and humour through the Scot’s language to deliver a poems that stick in your conscience. I’m looking forward to the second book ‘Poyums Annaw’ launching very soon.

Favourite Poem:

Adam and Steve

To find out more about Len Pennie, click here.

Poyums can be bought at independent bookshops as well as the major high street chains. You can also buy from Bookshop.Org

One More Thing…

As mentioned in the recap, I was lucky enough to be a featured poet on A Thousand Shades of Green Podcast. You can find the podcast on your preferred podcast platform or via the website; https://athousandshadesofgreen.com

And Another…

This coming Thursday is the first session of my new online writing group, Write Here, Right Now and I’m very excited.

And Finally…

I want to say a big thanks to the people who have reached out on social media with recommendations to appear in The Book Bag. I’m curating a list and you may see your recommendations live soon.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Motherbunnet
  • Poet: Laura Cooney

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul

The Book Bag Bonus Edition: Peeling Apples by Alan Parry

Welcome to special bonus edition of The Book Bag.

Last week I took some time out to read Peeling Apples, a novella from Alan Parry, published by Dark Winter Press. Alan is the driving force behind Broken Spine Arts, mentioned multiple times previously in The Book Bag news sections.

Peeling Apples is Alan’s debut novella about a young lad called Martyn who befriends his Nana’s next-door neighbour, Mrs Joyce.

The personalities of the two main characters is realistic and rooted in the time. Martyn’s football-mad curious mind and how his perception of Mrs Joyce evolves is deftly done.

The references to Saturday morning wrestling, which does use one character to describe the journey Martin and Mrs Joyce take is a smart device. I also liked the time-accurate wrestlers and wrestling managers and commentators including Bobby Heenan and the merchandise available at the time in the form of cards.

There is a scene in which Martyn is at the ‘pop van’ was like time travelling. We used to get a crate of 6. 2 x Lemonade, Dandelion and Burdock, Sarsaparilla, 2x Cola and a Cream Soda. Sometimes a lemonade was switched for limeade and a cola for orangeade. Every Friday. I love Dandelion and Burdock, but Sarsaparilla will always be my favourite. It’s a bit like a root beer but not. I miss it!

The narrative and prose could easily be adapted to TV. Maybe a series by Ken Loach or Mike Leigh airing on Sunday evenings. It has an almost ‘This Is England’ crossed with ‘Danny, Champion of The World’ feel which is testament to Alan’s approach. This is definitely a working-class setting expertly written by a working-class writer.

I read Peeling Apples in under 2 hours. Only stopping for a drink part way through. The pace of the narrative is focussed yet unforced making it an easy read.

This novella truly resonated with me.

I would like to see another Martin and Mrs Joyce book. Maybe a collection of short stories containing more of their adventures.

Peeling Apples is a highly nostalgic book that takes the reader on a journey of a boy reaching emotional maturity. It’s also a tale of friendship and how important bonds can be made with those we think are our polar opposites.

I’d recommend this to anyone who knows the value of friendship, even more so if you were a child of the 80’s and 90’s.

Peeling Apples is available on Kindle and in Paperback. To find out more about the book and order your copy, click here.

Sunday’s Read

  • Title: Smatterings of Cerulean
  • Poet: Susan Richardson

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you on Sunday.

Paul