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The Book Bag: Debone & Fold by Si Griffiths

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

Well this week has been fun. A trip to Northumberland, bagged myself some proper Craster Kippers, got out and about in the sunshine and walked the dog under sunsets the colour of beach towels. Got to read at the Broken Spine Arts open mic, caught up with some good friends, finished reading Understorey and my copy of the Poetry Review and my Cult of The Spiny Hog Goody box arrived.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Debone & Fold

  • Poet: Si Griffiths
  • Press: Broken Spine Arts

When I first heard that Si Griffiths’ debut, Debone & Fold was set against the backdrop of professional kitchens, I thought YES!!! (You probably won’t know this but I’ve been a trained chef since 18 and worked in kitchens until Covid.)

Being a chef is a tough job. It’s also a highly skilled yet mainly underpaid job. It’s not glamorous. To be a chef you need to be uncompromising, relentless and fearless, firing on all cylinders emotionally and mentally and understanding that you’re only as good as your last service (a lot like poetry).

Debone & Fold is served like a meal in a good restaurant. The courses, named in Italian, allow breath and relaxation before moving on to the next plate.

The opening poem drops us directly into the heart of the kitchen. ‘Zero Hours +/- ’ is an unwavering, unflinchingly authentic piece on the pressures and challenges that chefs face daily especially during busy periods, in this case December. This is not a glamourised made-for-tv kitchen, this is the real deal. It’s so vivid, I started thinking about the mise-en-place I used to do and sighed relief at the realisation I don’t have that responsibility anymore.


The relentless environment is also explored in the poem ‘Regimental Anarchy’ but in a different way. Every chef across the country has experienced the treatment dished out by that Sous.

The darker side of kitchens comes to the forefront in the piece ‘To Pass The Pass’. This situation would have been observed by many chefs over the years. I’ve witnessed some fairly shady stuff in some of the places I’ve worked.

This book reminds me of a quote by the late Anthony Bourdain, ‘The cooking profession, while it’s a noble craft and a noble calling, ’cause you’re doing something useful – you’re feeding people, you’re nurturing them, you’re providing sustenance – it was never pure.’

The collection isn’t all about the blood, sweat and tears. There are tender moments scattered throughout in the tale of a romantic relationship evolving over time including the poem ‘Hors d’Ouvres’. This is a piece that takes the chef from the kitchen and shows the other side. Dining out, sharing a special meal with another, lost in the moment. The realisation that it’s closing time as the chairs are stacked is a great image.

Si is creative with form. Carefully plating up pieces including ‘Gangplank’, ‘Long Term Love’ and ‘Temper Temper’. The way they are laid out and read give extra depth. A recipe poem is tricky but the skill in which ‘Long Term Love’ is crafted is exceptional.

There’s a real level of detail in this collection. In ‘All In The Game’ the handling of produce is described meticulously. The respect Si Griffiths shows for ingredients is a cornerstone of a being a great chef that translates into being a great poet, where words are now his raw materials aside from the deft touch addressing produce. I must also mention the poem ‘Michelin’ and references to the mother sauces, Escoffier and other little morsels. They authenticate Si’s knowledge, skill and experience in the kitchen.

Insight into a chef’s mentality is expertly displayed in ‘Don’t Do Things By Halves’. Any chef who has pride in their work can be easily disappointed sitting in a restaurant where ‘fresh’ only comes in the form of a sliced lemon. This becomes an issue when trying to remain present for your partner or family. It’s not a case of snobbery, it’s pride in the craft.


This collection is passionate, authentic and unflinching with steel-sharpened observations. For me, it was like a delicious meal, finished in one sitting but with a couple of my favourite pieces set aside to return for leftovers. I’ve gone back to it three times already. It is now sitting on my bookshelf with Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.

Favourite Poem:
I can’t pick just one so I’ll give you three. ‘Apron Strings’, ‘A Moment Brocaded’ and ‘It’s All In The Game.’ I could easily extend my choices such is the depth.

You can buy Debone & Fold here.

You can also join the online launch of Debone & Fold taking place on April 17th at 7pm. Details here.

One More Thing…

Alongside their workshops that contribute to the 2026 Poetry Award fund, Broken Spine Arts currently have 2 submission windows. A call for short stories with a festive theme and a window for coming of age poetry. The Broken Spine website can be accessed here.

And Another…

Black Bough Poetry have one of their open mic’s coming up. On Sunday 13th April 2025 you can join a welcoming and supportive environment to read three short poems or sit back and relax and take in the wondrous poetic performances. Booking details are here – I’ll be there.

And Another…

The final touches are getting put together for my online writing group with invites to a taster session going out by 14/04/2025.

And Finally…

Keep an eye out for a surprise bonus edition of The Book Bag coming very soon.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Famous New Phrases
  • Poet: Daniel Hinds

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

Paul

The Book Bag: All Island, No Sea

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

This week has been fairly busy. A Black Bough Poetry open mic attended online (due to being unable to attend my Sax lesson because of a bad shoulder), saw Vera; End of an Era at Newcastle City Hall hosted by Steph McGovern with Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn in conversation. Also, I’ve been able to write a few new pieces, some slight tweaks needed and I’ll be very happy with them. 

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

All Island, No Sea

  • Author: Chris Campbell
  • Press: Alien Buddha Press

I met Chris Campbell in person at Black Bough Poetry’s poetry party last year. He is a top guy and a great poet. His poetic delivery is great. I enjoyed having a couple of pints with him and learning of his journalistic exploits after our readings.  

All Island, No Sea is Chris’s third collection, and he has been published widely in journals, lit mags and anthologies. 

There is some sprinkling of Sartre in the poem ‘That Which We Own’. It opens by discussing if a tree can truly be owned then navigates materialism before offering a solution. I took time to reflect on this poem and realised I had written a recent piece called ‘Resurgency’ which deals with an oak reclaiming land. 

Pieces including ‘Dear Alan, Alan, Alan’, ‘Joey Barton Has the Same Barber’ and ‘Aim’  have a great sense of humour. My wife asked if I was okay as I sniggered quite loudly for a good few minutes after reading ‘Dear Alan, Alan, Alan’. 

Poems including ‘The Morning You Threw Wet Socks As We Argued Over Bagels’, ‘The First Few Letters of Happy Birthday’ and ‘Hot Chocolate Doesn’t Taste The Same’ brim with honesty and emotion. Chris’s ability to draw focus to the minor details, ground the reader in reality. The use of wet socks fuelling a squabble before the memories of bagels gone before bringing lightness and defusing the tone is terrifically done.

Love shines brightly through the book in ‘Minutes Tiptoe’, ‘Pocket To The Stars’ and ‘I Scrape the Earth Underneath This Pram’. These are tender and delicate pieces that will raise a smile.

The collection pivots into political sentiment in the pieces ‘All Island, No Sea’ and ‘England Sits on A Brick Wall’. However, Chris’s skill in personification and metaphor ensures this does not jar with the rest of the book which can sometimes be the case.

Nostalgia is woven through the collection without being overdone. Pieces including ‘Why I Salute with Miniature Swords’, ‘Blossom Skins’ and ‘Ostrich’ give us an insight into Chris’s past and values. These are authentic poems without cliche. 

Lovers of rich imagery are well-catered for in this collection. ‘Rusting Boat’, ‘Starfish’, ‘Morning’ and ‘Skeletal Leg’ are all exemplary vivid examples of this. 

Readers are treated to various forms throughout and the use of language is deliberate and precise. The poems ‘Petersfield Saxophonist’, ‘Aim’ and ‘Ants’ show how to craft poems using the best style to bring them to life from the page. 

All Island, No Sea is a highly accomplished collection. Buy this book if you like poems that traverse emotion, are both introspective and wide in scope and appreciate great language and form. This collection is poetry’s sweet spot.

Read more about Chris at https://www.chriscampbellpoetry.co.uk/

Buy All Island No Sea here.

Favorite Poem: 

Petersfield Saxophonist for its use of form, vivid imagery and sensory detail.

One More Thing…

You can see Chris perform at Cheltenham Poetry Festival on 17 May 2025. Details of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival can be found here. 

And Another…

A Broken Spine Arts #PoemsAbout Open Mic is taking place in a couple of weeks time on Zoom. 3 April 2025 at 8:00pm UK Time. Details here.

And Another…

Frazzled Lit’s new issue is released today. Check out their site here.

And Finally…

Congratulations to Peter Devonald for winning The Broken Spine Arts Readers Choice Award 2025 with his poem ‘No One Lives Here Anymore’.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Mountains That See In The Dark
  • Poet: Regine Ebner

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Sleepers Awake by Oli Hazzard

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

This week was the second week of training in my new role at work and has been very busy. The Executive team sent me a box of chocolates to congratulate me on the new role which was unexpected but greatly appreciated. I struggled at my Sax lesson due to my bust shoulder but it was fun all the same. Also, I really enjoyed the speakers I saw at Alnwick Story Fest. All very different topics but important too. Did I blow my budget on books? Yes. I also picked up this week’s collection though. 

Poetry-wise I’ve started drafting some pieces and submitted a couple of poems. I’ve also started work on creating an online writing group.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Sleepers Awake

  • Author: Oli Hazzard
  • Press: Carcanet Press

Sleepers Awake opens with a sprawling 56-page poem encompassing various forms and themes. Progress: Real and imagined pulls in multiple directions like a fever dream or string of consciousness. 

The poem is very clever in that it involves writing a poem in response to a painting by Nicole Eisenmann. However, before returning to finish, the poet must deal with the distractions of everyday life. As in real life, the distractions are constant, external and internal. 

The shifts in form bring changes in pace and thematic subjects, keeping you engaged as a reader. I didn’t lift my head for a while, giving the occasional ‘ooh’ and chortle. 

At times the piece becomes very meta, referring to language choices made to increase the poem’s status. The act of adding a pear to make the piece ‘more hummy’.

I have to credit Oli Hazzard for such a well-crafted and complex piece.

Oli Hazzard is adept at wordplay, the poem ‘Postpositivity in Spring’, is a string of economical couplets split into sections, with each couplet starting by ending the previous one. Smart work.

‘Sleepers Awake’ is a terrific display of imagery and lyrical language to discuss snowfall in Glasgow. There’s also romanticism at play here which I really enjoyed. This is my second favourite poem in the collection.

We are treated to plenty of contemporary references within the collection. Pieces including ‘Dingdingdinggedicht’, ‘Living, etc’ and ‘Earth IV’ are all strong examples of being restrained in use to deliver the best impact. (Side note: The Hufflepuff reference made me chuckle. My wife played  a Hufflepuff in the first Harry Potter movie.)

Music is mentioned throughout the book. The poems ‘Composed at Edberg’ and Theory of The Lyric are the obvious titles to note, but then there is another immense sequence titled Incunabulum. 16 poems made up of 4 stanzas with 4 lines per stanza. The lines are too long to fit on the page in ‘portrait mode’ so were printed in landscape. The arrangement has multiple musical qualities and is another show of skill and craftsmanship. I must say this shows a great relationship between Oli Hazzard and Carcanet as I’m sure this would have caused some challenges when printing. 

Buy this book if you’re into poetry that is thought-provoking in terms of theme and form, like some humour and a musical quality to your poetry. This is a collection that stretches traditional themes into the current poetic sphere.

To buy Sleepers Awake, visit the Carcanet Press here: https://www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?product=9781800172999

Favorite Poem: 

Progress: Real and Imagined for the sheer scale, effort and complexity.

Before You Go…

Black Bough Poetry has an open mic on Wednesday 12 March 2025 kicking off at 7:15 pm. It’s a great forum to test poems in a supportive environment with a wonderful host, Matthew Smith. Details here.

One More Thing…

Full House Literary have released the latest issue of their litmag and it is visually stunning with incredible poetry, prose, art and other fascinating creative work.  Read it here.

And Finally…

Broken Spine Arts is running a weekly poetry prompt on Blue Sky. #PoemsAbout is every Friday and they also now run a regular #PoemsAbout open mic to get involved in. Find out more about the open mic here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Chris Campbell
  • Poet: All Island, No Sea

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag: Fast Music by Hugo Williams

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

This week was the first week of training in my new role at work and has been busy but I’ve enjoyed every minute. My new teammates are great and have been very welcoming. At the weekend I got to Alnwick StoryFest to listen to some speakers and picked up next week’s Book Bag collection at Barter Books. I’ve also written and edited a few pieces in an attempt to curate a pamphlet.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Fast Music

  • Author: Hugo Williams
  • Press: Faber & Faber

I picked up my copy of Fast Music on my recent visit to Richmond. It was tucked in the wrong place on the shelf, or the right place as it grabbed my attention and I bought it alongside Heritage Aesthetics. 

Fast Music is split into two parts; Part 1 focuses on daily life, and Part 2 is an arrangement of sonnets charting a love affair. 

‘Fast Music’ is a great display of injecting nostalgia and humour into a poem without overcooking it. The image of ‘black bakelite planets spinning to heaven’ made me smile and reach for my vinyl. Throughout the collection, lyrics and music are mentioned including the opening piece ‘Undiscovered Islands’ which sees Williams as a sailor looking to chart his way through life. ‘Pennies From Heaven’, also the title of a Bing Crosby song, is a poem of two halves depicting his father as both serious and fun-loving.

‘Pause For Thought’ is a contemplation about how you can see yourself in a moment however this will look completely different to an onlooker. The fact this is a poem about being unable to write a poem but looking like he is writing is very meta. 

‘Enter Mr White’ gives a glimpse into Williams’ attitude towards declining health and what may lie beyond. References to medical science are throughout this piece until it transfers to saintdom, notably the Mexican day of the dead.

Dark humour can be found in the poem ‘Fear School’, where schoolboy name-calling (adopted by the teacher also) culminates in the subject of the piece, seeking revenge. It feels immature when you read it, but it displays actions and consequences, although subverted. 

The sonnets in the collection are tremendously varied. ‘The Plunge Club’ spills excitement from the page, whereas ‘Sell-by Date’ is a wry conversation on condoms, both the use and the lack of opportunity to use. Not your typical sonnets. The sonnets take you every which way in terms of feeling. ‘Blue Angel’ has an authentic sense of true longing.

This is a great buy for poetry and music lovers.

Although I wasn’t familiar with Hugo Williams’s work before reading this (yes, this makes me look like an amateur based on the awards and recognition he’s received), I’ll be tracking down his previous work to relish the wit throughout this work. 

You can find Fast Music available to buy here along with a small biography.

Favorite Poem: 

The Story So Far.

Before You Go…

I, alongside 11 other poets have been nominated for The Broken Spine Reader’s Choice Award 2025 for my poem ‘The Thief’. Voting runs from 1st -7th of March 2025. Details can be found here. 

And Finally…

Black Bough Poetry has an open mic on Wednesday 12 March 2025 kicking off at 7:15pm. It’s a great forum to test poems in a supportive environment with a wonderful host, Matthew Smith. Details here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Sleepers Awake
  • Poet: Oli Hazzard 

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Ever Striding Edge by Paul Brookes

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

This week has been busy; I attended an open mic, enjoyed a poetry workshop, said goodbye to my old team at work, saw some crocus and snowdrops emerge from the front lawn, and enjoyed TopTweetTuesday and PoemsAbout. Plus, I sent a couple of submissions off. 

I also got my hands on a copy of High Rise: Brutalist Poetry, a brutalist-inspired anthology, with one of my poems. Details of the anthology are here.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Ever Striding Edge

  • Author: Paul Brookes
  • Press: Dark Winter Press

Paul Brookes is a positive force for poetry. He writes, engages with and promotes other poets and creatives through the Wombwell Rainbow and Starbeck Orion. He has displayed a couple of my pieces in his Starbeck Orion publication on Substack. I have heard him read on several occasions and each time the emotion in his words left an impact. 

Ever Striding Edge is an intimate and heartwrenching collection of poems about family and grief and is the final collection in a septology of work. It is heavy with emotion, impact and experiences that many will be able to relate to. It begins on Striding Edge in the Lake District, where the powerful tone is set. 

A common thread throughout is breath. Both in the language and the opportunity to breathe between book sections. It is most apparent in poems including ‘Long Gallery’, ‘Her Stopping’ and ‘His Knaresborough’.

The imagery and references throughout the book reminded me of growing up in the 80s and 90s in Northumberland. The most notable of which is ‘In My Mam’s Mind’s Eye’. ‘I Watch Athletics With My Mam’ further details the relationship with his mother.

I have bookmarked the poem ‘I Sup Fathoms’. This brought a lump to my throat and I needed fresh air after reading. This also happened reading the section titled ‘The Day Grandad Disappeared’. It reminded me of my Great Granda Jock.

When discussing interactions with nature, Paul’s imagery is highly accomplished, this is no surprise after seeing plenty of his work in print and online. Multiple examples of this include; ‘Petals Open Wide At’, ‘Believe’, ‘In Nanna’s Garden’ and ‘Our Moorland’. 

This is a collection that teems with authenticity throughout. At times stark and others delicate, this book is brave, special and important.

Find out more about Paul here: https://thewombwellrainbow.com/ 

To get a copy of the book via Dark Winter Lit, click here: https://www.darkwinterlit.com/darkwinter-press?pgid=lm866r7x-3841dfe7-e5f2-4290-8c85-77b1a470b2c1 

Favorite Poem:
A Trimming Up. Followed closely by Protect.

Before You Go

I was clearing out space on my phone this week and I revisited a poem I wrote a while ago. This is Amateur Photos.

And Finally…
Next weekend I’m heading to Alnwick Storyfest. I’m looking forward to hearing poetry and buying some new books.

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in The Book Bag

  • Title: Fast Music
  • Author: Hugo Williams

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Heritage Aesthetics by Anthony Anaxagarou

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

This week, I celebrated my birthday, attended Cullerpoets writing group, had a blast at the secure dog field with the pooch, jammed at sax practice, drafted some poems and edited several others.  

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Heritage Aesthetics

  • Author: Anthony Anaxagorou
  • Press: Granta Poetry

I was already a fan of Anthony Anaxagorou having read After the Formalities a few years ago. I was drawn to the incisive, sharp observations contained throughout. I also had a copy of How To Write, his book published by Merky which was a great resource when I was a new writer. I may still have it in my bookshelves. So, when I saw a copy of Heritage Aesthetics in a London Bookshop, I bought it immediately.

Heritage Aesthetics looks at the impact of imperialism and colonialism, culture, politics and hope, through a series of poems that go from fierce to tender and back again and how his British and Cypriot heritage influence his identity. 

The pieces throughout this collection use sharp, visceral language. Poems including ‘Endgame’, ‘My Weapons are Working People’ and ‘We Are Us Now’ are all exceptional examples of this dealing with very different topics.

‘Futurist Primer’ is a tremendous commentary on violence, masculinity and contradictions. The way that a stabbing is mentioned once displays how we are so used to violence that any shock quickly fades. 

Identity is grappled with head-on in pieces such as ‘Now My Ego Wants Better Things’ and ‘Text Message’. Vivid language and narration choices in these poems are deftly considered.

I admire the poem ‘On Leave Until’ for how it weaves hope and softness around some sharp edges. 

Throughout the book, he experiments with different forms to deliver maximum impact. This can be seen in ‘For Those Who Demand Evidence’, a train of thought that goes full throttle down the centre of the pages. Another example is ‘Inner Lone Drift’. Spacing, line breaks and punctuation give a real sense of his internalised conversation, with the language choices powerful and emotive. The opening poem to Territory 2 (part two of the book) and ‘Perhaps: A Rhetoric’ highlight Cyprus through other people’s eyes using found words in different ways.

The thing I love most about this collection is the raw honesty and heart-on-the-sleeve feel this has to it. The title poem (and my favourite in the collection) ‘Heritage Aesthetics’ layers emotion, identity, philosophy and hope. This book is in the top 5 collections I’ve read in the past couple of year for its distinctiveness.

Buy this book if you’re a fan of poetry that weaves intricate tapestries of heritage, culture and identity with emotion and guile. Actually, just buy this book.

To learn more about Anthony Anaxagarou, his website can be found; https://anthonyanaxagorou.com/ where you can also purchase his books.

Favorite Poem:
Heritage Aesthetics, closely followed by Inner Lone Drift. 

One More Thing…
If you want to try an open mic out as a reader or audience member, Black Bough Poetry is hosting one of its welcoming and supportive evenings on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Details here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/black-bough-poetry-open-mic-tickets-1231348128399?aff=erelexpmlt&_gl=1*5ftk2v*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk4NjExOTQwNC4xNzM5NjIwMDI0*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTczOTYyMDAyNC4xLjAuMTczOTYyMDAyNC4wLjAuMA..

And Finally…
Tomorrow sees the release of High Rise; Brutalist Poetry anthology from Broken Spine Arts. One of my poems is included which I’m very happy about. I’ll share more details next week.

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in The Book Bag

  • Title: Ever Striding Edge
  • Author: Paul Brookes

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Oxidized Pennies by Regine Ebner

Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic couple of weeks.

The past fortnight has been busy: I went to London, Kew, and Richmond to celebrate Mrs S’s birthday, sent off a couple of submissions, spent a day shadowing my new team at work, enjoyed a few delicious meals out, spent some time stargazing, and had some great walks with the dog.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Oxidized Pennies

  • Author: Regine Ebner
  • Press: Alien Buddha Press

Regine Ebner is an incredibly talented poet. Her contributions to Top Tweet Tuesday on Twitter/X are always thought-provoking and rich with language and imagery. Although Regine hails from the States, she travelled thousands of miles to attend the Black Bough Poetry Fundraiser in 2024. If you get the chance to hear her read, take it!

Oxidized Pennies was published in 2022 and is a pamphlet of poems that takes readers across desert land and sea with clever imagery and emotion.

The opening piece, ‘Knapsack’, is a great way to start a pamphlet. The romance and the vivid imagery will raise a smile, setting a tone for readers. 

Regine is economical in her poetry, every word has importance and there is no stray language. ‘Watercraft’  and ‘Frozen’ are excellent representations of this.

You can feel Regine’s graciousness and respect for her desert home through the wonderful use of first-person narration in ‘Blowing Sand’. 

The poem ‘Cello Pieces’ is layered with scale, both musically and cosmically. This is smartly crafted and a poem I really enjoyed. 

Grab this pamphlet if you’re a fan of exquisite imagery, the romance of prairies and appreciate economy of language.

Favorite Poem:
I’ll give you three; Feast, Sea Glass & Frozen.

You can buy Oxidized Pennies here; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxidized-Pennies-Regine-Ebner/dp/B0B6XNQJ2W

One More Thing… 

Regine has a collection coming out soon with Black Bough Poetry.

And Finally…

I’m celebrating my birthday on Tuesday. I’d love some recommendations on collections and pamphlets I should be including in The Book Bag.  Leave a comment below or tag me on X, Threads or Bluesky.

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in The Book Bag

  • Title: Heritage Aesthetics 
  • Author: Anthony Anaxagorou

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Blossomise by Simon Armitage

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

This week, I had some amazing news at work: I battled the cold, attended an open mic hosted by Black Bough Poetry, submitted some pieces, attended North Tyneside Writer’s  Circle and went for a lovely meal in Northumberland.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Blossomise

  • Author: Simon Armitage
  • Press: Faber & Faber

Blossomise is a collaboration between Simon Armitage, Angela Harding and The National Trust.  It combines haikus with modern poetry. It is part of the National Trust’s campaign to celebrate spring and learn more about the natural world. I picked up my copy at Wallington Hall in Northumberland last year. 

As the title suggests, the poetry within this collection deals with the oncoming of blossom in spring. If you’ve read my piece “The Cherry Tree Orchard, Alnwick Garden”, you will know that I enjoy blossoming trees. 

It’s no surprise that the calibre of work within the pages is exquisite.

The poem ‘Folk Song’ is hypnotic, with the repetition of “apple, cherry, blackthorn, pear” especially when read aloud. 

‘Fluffy Dice’ is a terrific piece about nature versus man and its resulting unintended consequences. The use of triplets gives it energy and rhythm. It’s my second favourite poem in the collection. 

‘The Plymouth Pear’ highlights the rarity and the resilience of nature. The close grouping and shortness of lines give the piece an urgent immediacy.

The final poem in the collection, ‘Skeleton Tree’ shows us what nature offers and provides made me quite emotional.

A wonderful feature of Blossomise is how haiku is interspersed throughout the book. Each gives you pause. I found myself returning to the final haiku multiple times. 

But it’s not just the poetry that is exemplary. Angela Harding’s artwork that is throughout the book adds another dimension to the collection. The style of illustration really lends itself well to the message of the collection.

If you’re a fan of quality nature poetry brought to life by stunning artwork and love spring, this is the collection for you.

Favorite Poem:
Plum Tree Among The Skyscrapers.

One More Thing… 
There is an EP that accompanies the book recorded by Simon’s band LYR with community choirs across the UK.

Find out more about Simon Armitage here: http://www.simonarmitage.com

And Finally…

I’m really proud to have a piece published in the newest edition of Dust Poetry Magazine on the theme of Joy. I’ve included a link here; https://www.dustpoetry.co.uk/issues/categories/issue-13-joy the work inside is tremendous.

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in The Book Bag

  • Title: In Dangerous Hours
  • Author: Kitty Donnelly

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Rescue Lines by Lesley Curwen

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

This week, I’ve been to the cinema, done some stargazing, visited Morpeth, received some valuable feedback from my mentor, written some pieces, edited some pieces, researched some local mythology, read Orbital by Samantha Harvey and drank lots of lemsip. 

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Rescue Lines

  • Author: Lesley Curwen
  • Press: Hedgehog Poetry Press

I had the pleasure of meeting Lesley in person at the famous Black Bough Poetry Party, where I first heard about this pamphlet. Lesley is widely published and recently guest-edited Black Bough’s Christmas / Winter Anthology (a great read). Lesley is also a broadcaster and sailor.

Rescue Lines is a highly personal pamphlet, dealing with forced adoption, coercive control, finding and losing a sister. Before I go further, let me state, that this is an important book. 

The collection opens with ‘To A Lifeboatman’. A poem about being saved at sea. Throughout the pamphlet, Lesley uses the sea in a variety of ways. ‘A View Of Plymouth Breakwater’ uses it as an outlet of rage. ‘The Seas Between Us Grow Every Day’ uses the sea as a measure of distance in terms of mourning and recovery. In the poem ‘Unmoored’, we see the healing nature of water. 

‘Sister with Bees’ is a visceral piece using bees to display the nature of coercive control. The way Lesley describes the onset of a swarm, illustrates the danger and the speed at which people can succumb to a horrible situation. ‘Irresistible Pull’ is a raw and brutal poem.

‘Full Sister, Half Known’ is deeply saddening and tackles the separation of Lesley from her sister using a sewing machine as a vehicle for the narrative. This is an evocative and brave piece to write. ‘Without End’ is an incredibly moving poem that struck a chord. It made me reflect on my own experiences of grief. ‘Afterness’ brought me to tears. 

This collection is tragically sad at points however, the final poem ‘My Sister’s Eye is Opal’ is a wonderful tribute and shows how Lesley and her sister are still connected through a bestowed ring. 

Get this collection. It is uncompromising, challenging and brave. The truest form of poetry.

To find out more about Lesley, check out her website at: lesleycurwenpoet.com

If you’d like a signed copy of Rescue Lines, you can contact Lesley on X @ElCurwen, 

Unsigned copies are available here: https://www.hedgehogpress.co.uk/product/rescue-lines-lesley-curwen-print-edition/

Favorite Poem:
My Sister’s Eye is Opal.

One More Thing… 

Lesley had a chapbook of Eco Poetry published by Dreich Poetry Press in 2024 available here;
https://hybriddreich.co.uk/product/sticky-with-miles-lesley-curwen/

And Finally
Two upcoming courses that may pique poetic readers’ interest, both on the Sunday 16th February and no overlap so if you wanted you could do both…

Untamed: Writing Without Fear by Alan Parry of Broken Spine Arts – I’ve attended several of Alan’s workshops and they are always informative and engaging. Tickets and Details here;
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/untamed-writing-without-fear-with-alan-parry-tickets-1126372493449?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Crafting Your Year in Poetry – A Strategic Workshop for Poets by Matthew MC Smith of Black Bough Poetry – I’ve attended this and it’s given me a great drive and focus. It is a real boost to your practice and helps identify how to get where you’re going. Tickets and Details here; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crafting-your-year-in-poetry-a-strategic-workshop-for-poets-tickets-1134533804149?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in The Book Bag

  • Title: Blossomise
  • Author: Simon Armitage

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Headlands by Alice Stainer

Welcome back to The Book Bag. Happy New Year!

I hope you’ve all enjoyed a peaceful and calm festive period.

Over the past few weeks, aside from attending poetry parties, I’ve been celebrating Christmas, and New Year, seeing friends and family and getting a couple of poetry acceptances. I’ve also done some reading and writing and attended a workshop from Broken Spine Arts about ‘Writing the Night’. 

At New Year, our tradition is to go for a walk to blow away the dust from December and welcome in January. So in that vein, I’m sharing a pamphlet that treats us to glorious landscapes to walk among…

Headlands

  • Author: Alice Stainer
  • Press: Live Canon

Alice is a widely published poet with several nominations and awards for her work, so it is no surprise that Headlands contains poetry that carries you through the pages from beginning to end without a misstep. 

Landscapes are described beautifully through rich language and incredible imagery. The opening poem ‘Up Wavering Down’ is a prime example of this as is ‘Whaligoe Steps’ and ‘Port Meadow in Winter’  and ‘PPS. 

‘Dance To The Music of Uncertain Times’ (for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet) is a perfect poetic display of resilience and bravery. After reading this poem, I sought out a documentary to learn more. 

In Headlands, we are treated to some excellent use of form, notably in ‘Moon Moods’, ‘Dress Code’ and ‘The Call’. The different uses, add extra heft to the poems.

Emotions ran high when reading the poems ‘Review’, ‘Blue Wallpaper’ and ‘Still Life’. These are pieces that leave lasting thoughts on you after reading. Remarkable.

Grab this pamphlet if you want to read a collection that will transport you to vivid landscapes to meander along, feel the kaleidoscope of emotions as you journey and give you that thrill you get when you breathe fresh air.

Favorite Poem:
Headlands. Followed closely by Metamorphic.

One More Thing… 

Headlands is Alice Stainer’s debut pamphlet and was the Winner of the 2023/24 Live Canon Pamphlet Competition.

Buy it here: https://livecanon.co.uk/store/product/headlands-alice-stainer 

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in my book bag

  • Title: Rescue Lines
  • Author: Lesley Curwen

Drop a comment and let me know if you received any poetry collections or anthologies over Christmas and how you found them.

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul