feature

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – December 2025

And here we are. The final month of a year, that has gone by far too fast. It feels like only yesterday, I was taking decorations down in January, however only yesterday I was putting the decorations back up for the festive season.

As we’re in a new month, a new Poetic Voice has arrived. And I am ecstatic that this month in The Book Bag, I am featuring the work of a poetry superstar… Sophie Dumont. I first found Sophie’s poetry through the excellent Chris Campbell and became a fan instantly. Then I read the background to her debut book Sculling, and I reached out pretty much immediately for Sophie to be a Poetic Voice. Sculling is a profound debut collection. It has challenged my way of thinking and is quite brilliant.

Sophie Dumont is a writer based in Bristol. Her debut collection Sculling was published on National Poetry Day October 2025 and has since featured in the Guardian, Sunday Times Style and Financial Times. Her poetry won the Brian Dempsey Memorial Prize and has been published in The Rialto, Magma, The Moth, Ink Sweat and Tears and Mslexia among others.

She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and has held writing residencies along Bristol Harbourside with Boat Poets and Exeter Quay through Literature Works. Find out more at  www.sophiedumont.co.uk

Follow Sophie on Instagram, Bluesky or TikTok.

Credit: Jae Frederick
Credit: Jae Frederick

Sculling is published by Corsair (who kindly provided the rights to use poems from the collection) and can be purchased here.

The first poem, is ‘Ghazal for when I think of you, I think of me’.

One of the main themes in Sculling is how one can live on through a selfless act of organ donation by saving others. Because of this, I wanted to raise some awareness for Organ Donation, which is a vital service that can help save lives. In the UK, information can be accessed here: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/.

Where are these December days going? It feels like only yesterday I was sharing the first part of Sophie’s feature.

Today, I am sharing another stunning piece from Sculling, titled ‘Celandine’. I am so grateful that Sophie is sharing work from her excellent debut collection.

I’m looking forward to sharing further pieces from Sophie throughout December. Bookmark this post and return on the 18th of December to read another poem from this remarkable collection. Sculling is one of my personal picks in The Book Bag Christmas Gift List which can be found here.

Stay Poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – October 2025

Can someone tell me how it is October already. Autumn colours arrived early this year and it seems like the nights are drawing in quicker each day. And with a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice to feature as part of The Book Bag: Poetic Voices.

This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and runs concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on pamphlets or collections I’ve read through the week.

This month, I am thrilled to announce that our Poetic Voice this month is the prize-winning, super-talented, Carson Wolfe.

Carson Wolfe is a Mancunian poet and Grand Prize Winner of The Disquiet Literary Program 2024. They will soon graduate with an MFA from The Manchester Writing School, and are currently finishing their first novel. Their poetry has appeared with Poetry Magazine, The Rumpus, The Common, and Rattle. Their new chapbook Coin Laundry at Midnight is forthcoming with Button Poetry in spring 2026. 

www.carsonwolfe.co.uk

@vincentvanbutch

I first read Carson’s work in The North and Northern Gravy and was blown away by their work, then I read more and more. Fast forward to now and I am so happy that Carson accepted my invitation.

I’ll be sharing a few pieces from Carson over the month. Kicking off with ‘While Wishing She Was Dancing To Kate Bush’ originally published in the Best New Poets Anthology 2024.

A little later than planned, here’s poem 2 from the exceptional Carson Wolfe. First appearing in POETRY Magazine July/August 2025, this is SILICON VALLEY, IN THE BACKSEAT OF A TESLA.

Here is the 3rd poem from Carson. Originally published in The Baltimore Review, this is ‘Strange Baby’.

STRANGE BABY

He locked his doors—
the guy who braked

at my outstretched thumb. 
His name was Froggy. He drove 

in the opposite direction
to Georgetown, 

is the temperature ok? 
he turned the radio dial, 

what music do you like? 
A white crab 

pearled in his headlights, 
he got out, knelt 

on its shell. I could have 
run at that point, 

but his car was air 
conditioned, I had nowhere 

to be. He pulled a rope 
from his back pocket, turned  

its pincers into its own face 
and bound them there. 

I’ll cook you dinner, he said, 
and lumped the salted moon 

onto my lap. It squirmed 
against my thighs, 

this strange baby, looking 
to me for a mother.

I don’t eat animals, I said. 
It’s not an animal, he drove 

on in the stink of rockpool 
fizz. The island only has 

one road, I told myself 
we’d loop round eventually. 

He pulled into a hotel, 
abandoned mid-construction. 

Bare cement, windows gaping 
like mouths. I wouldn’t touch 

the crab, was grateful 
when he tossed it

in the back. I stepped out 
into the evening shrill 

of insects. Dizzied 
by the delicate racket 

of wings rubbed together
—he took out a knife 

and cleared a path for me 
to reach a secret beach. 

The sunset is pretty, like you, 
he said. Like me? I smiled.

Like you, he said, 
down on one knee.

To pre-order Carson’s forthcoming chapbook, you can do so here. I can’t wait for its release. An early birthday present to me from me!

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – September 2025

Well here we are in September. And with a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice to feature as part of The Book Bag: Poetic Voices. This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and runs concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on pamphlets or collections I’ve read through the week.

And this month, I am amazed to announce the Poetic Voice is the exceptionally talented prize-winning poet, someone I’ve read since starting my poetry journey, Pascale Petit.

Credit: Derrick Kakembo

Pascale Petit was born in Paris and lives in Cornwall. She has published nine poetry collections, four of which were shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Her ninth, Beast, published by Bloodaxe Books in 2025, is a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. Her eighth, Tiger Girl (Bloodaxe, 2020), was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, and for Wales Book of the Year. Her seventh, Mama Amazonica (Bloodaxe, 2017), won the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the inaugural Laurel Prize for eco-poetry and was the Poetry Book Society Choice. Her debut novel, My Hummingbird Father, was published by Salt in 2024.

This month, I am sharing the below piece from Pascale’s latest collection ‘Beast’, available here from Bloodaxe Books. This is ‘The Lammergeier Daughter’.

Beast Micro Book Bag Review

As part of this month’s feature, I’ve written a micro review of Pascale’s collection.

The collection explores a range of emotions and experiences through beasts in various environments and forms. With such range comes an expanse of vivid surreal imagery that lifts itself from the page. The book deals with trauma with defiance and resilience acting as counterpoints.

It should come as no surprise that the language throughout the collection is precise and rich. Form varies from prose in ‘The Tala Zone’ of the book to the use of space in ‘Ode To Causse Méjean With Takhi Horses’ to the couplet form in ‘Papa Guêpier’.

As well as ‘The Lammergeier Daughter’ other poems including ‘Butcherbirds’, ‘Swallows’, ‘Vial’, ‘Roebuck’ and ‘Pale-winged Trumpeters’ are among my favourites. I could list at least 10 more.

Beast is an exquisite collection and is in my top five books, I’ve read this year.

Regular readers will know that The Book Bag shares a playlist for the weekly entry, so I thought I’d add an eclectic one here also….
Charlie Parker – Koko
George Benson – Everything Must Change
Florence And The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
John Coltrane – Giant Steps
Louis Armstrong – Snake Rag
Stravinsky – The Rite Of Spring
Oliver Nelson – Ain’t A Thing
Johnny Cash – The Beast In Me
Kings Of Leon – Closer
Imagine Dragons- Radioactive

Stay Poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag: Vanishing Point by Colin Bancroft

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

What a week. I saw the Fantastic Four movie, followed by pizza with friends (I went for nduja and gorgonzola) where we saw England International and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, an acceptance, a piece published as part of the Poetry of Witness project on Wednesday. Also, it was the launch of Beautiful Little Fools Anthology where I read my two pieces (was it too much wearing a velvet jacket and bow tie and sipping old-fashioned cocktails?) ‘Depraved New World’ and ‘The Flicker of Green’. Oh, I spent a bit of time on my writing too.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Vanishing Point

  • Poet: Colin Bancroft
  • Press: Broken Sleep Books

Vanishing Point opens strongly with vivid imagery and precise, rich language in the poem ‘Botanical Notes’. The strength of scene continues throughout the the book including in poems such as ‘Sitting On Rocks At Penveen Lighthouse’ and ‘Etal Castle’ (one of several locations in the collection I’ve been to).

Place plays an important part of the collection. Both its historical context tied to memory, heritage and culture but also how a place can act as a way marker to another place. This is how I interpreted the piece ‘Transverse Orientation’ with its listings of services. ‘Picking Raspberries at High Force’ (somewhere I’d recommend anyone visiting, because it is exquisite) is an excellent poem that shows the cycle of renewal of a place.

Many of the pieces hold an emotional weight. ‘Into The Distance’ and ‘Figuring It Out’ are two perfect examples of how to craft evocative poetry in contrasting ways. The poem ‘The Law’ is a layered piece that sparked a reaction both consciously and subconsciously and I made an audible ‘oooft’ when reading it.

There are powerful poems throughout. The final poem ‘Post Box On Corporation Street for Manchester’ is unflinching. ‘Thoughts On An Aftermath’ is a thought-provoking honest piece which had me considering my reaction. The piece ‘Tethered’ hit me hard.

Nature poetry is exceptionally crafted in Vanishing Point. Poems such as ‘Gauging The Flood’ , ‘Standing’ and ‘Life Study’ are all prime examples of writing the natural world without over-sentimentality or cliche. I also enjoyed the poem

Colin Bancroft uses form and style in various ways throughout. ‘John Clare’s Green Coat’ uses spacing expertly to convey the poem’s message, leaving room to breathe before continuing. Free verse is used but also forms including list and couplet such as ‘Frozen Pool in Hotburn Plantation’.

This book will appeal to lovers of eco-poetry, vivid imagery, emotional connection and a sense of place. The Northern landscape and cultural, industrial history referenced in Vanishing Point resonated deeply with me as I have stood in some of the same places and can immerse myself fully in the poetry and the landscape. It’s a book, I will keep going back to.

To buy Colin’s book, click here.

Favourite Poem:

I’m going to choose five here. In no order ‘The Law’, ‘HS2’, ‘Staithes’, ‘Capacity for Joy’ and ‘Night Horses’.

And here’s an eclectic playlist that I feel goes with the book that I’ve curated for your enjoyment;

Oasis – Champagne Supernova
Richard Ashcroft – A Song For the Lovers
Solis – Sunday
James – Sit Down
Lindisfarne – Run For Home
The Unthanks – Shipbuilding
Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
Jimmy Nail – Big River
Seth Lakeman – The Colliers
Chris Rea – Curse Of The Traveller
New Order – Ceremony
Mr Scruff – Honeydew
Blossoms – Charlemagne

Before I Go…

Another page of Rishi Dastidar’s hobbies will be live on his feature from noon today, with another page of hobbies landing on 19th August. His feature can be found here. Catch up now.

One More Thing…

The Broken Spine has a ‘Cut To The Bone’ zoom workshop running on 24th August hosted by Alan Parry, details here. His workshops are always interactive and informative in a supportive environment and may be useful to all writers currently in the submission process.

And Finally…

Next week’s weekly entry in The Book Bag will be the last until September as I take a small summer break. I’ve already got exciting plans for the weekly entries from September with some more exciting poetry to share. I constantly update my social media channels with news so you can keep up to date there. You may even see me read a poem or 2.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Welcome To The Museum of A Life
  • Poet: Sue Finch

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Black Skies Die Starless by Jamie Woods

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

I’ve had a slower week this week. Shared a video of me reading one of my poems on social media, visited the Northern Poetry Library on Monday, sent some submissions off and spent some time on my my own writing. On Saturday evening I was able to see some incredible poetry at Louis Longson’s last Saturday of the month poetry readings. Also I went out for lunch with my team from work to a great Asian place.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Black Skies Die Starless

  • Poet: Jamie Woods
  • Press: Punk Dust Poetry


Black Skies Die Starless is a pamphlet that I became aware of on a recent Black Bough open mic when Jamie read a couple of pieces. This week there’s no playlist from me, instead, the collection has suggested listening. Some class tracks in there too. Lets jump in…

One of Jamie Woods’s best strengths is the weaving of pop-culture references throughout his work that is more than just surface-level soundbite. Pieces including ‘The 90S’ and ‘are the perfect examples of this. In fact, the poem ‘The Perpetual Illusion of Progress’ stands out for its sharp, smart observations of 90s culture. Thankfully things do seem to have moved on. The piece ‘I’ve Found God In Seattle’ is a clever piece on irony and perception.

Another strength is emotional honesty and depth. The grief poem ‘Sleep’ is heart-wrenching with a sucker punch of a closing line. The poem ‘Wednesday Afternoons Bromley High Street’ is intimate as we peer into a therapy room. Blame culture is displayed perfectly here through interaction and steps to self-actualisation also shown. The pivots are placed perfectly. ‘The Opposite of Spring’ is a terrifically crafted poem rich with contrast.

Vivid imagery runs throughout the collection. From the underbelly of the parks doing substances in the piece ‘Swinging’ to racing the streets in ‘Beat-Up Micra’ and the longing to escape in ‘Swansea Sound’ these poems were resonant, and I could picture these in Northumberland mining towns I grew up in.

Throughout the book, readers are treated to a variety of different forms and styles. The prose poem ‘Through Neon Half-Lights’ was a very clever choice as it gives a rounded feel to the piece. Then in ‘You And No-One Else’ the use of separators is a great representation of the message being conveyed and interacts with the piece.

Another thing to mention is the interspersal of graphics throughout the book. The paparazzi piece was a stop and reflect moment but for a completely different reason because while that event was happening, another horrific event was happening closer to home.

Favourite Poem:

More than a few to choose from so let’s settle on five just from what I’ve been thinking of today: Through Neon Half-Lights, Manic Pixie Dream Boy, (Atrophia), On Mount Horeb, and Heaven 17.

Black Skies Die Starless will appeal to readers who want to revisit the nostalgia of the 90s through a different gaze, fans of poetic authenticity and admirers of sharp observational poetry. A masterful collection and so glad I encountered Jamie reading this at the recent Black Bough open mic.

Learn more about Jamie Woods and access the playlist that accompanies the book, here.

Buy Black Skies Die Starless here (I got a bookmark and a couple of pin badges in my delivery, excellent poetry merch). All proceeds go to Leukaemia Care UK. Jamie is their poet-in-residence.

One More Thing…

An important new platform has launched on Substack. We Are The Chorus: Poetry of Witness is a new collaborative project that aims to share poems of protest and witness, and to encourage discussion, inquiry, and action around these themes. There will be an initial gallery of 12 with 1-2 poems shared weekly followed by a pause to allow reflection and to encourage further conversation.

And Another…

There is still time to enter the Katrina Collins Poetry Prize which closes on 1st August 2025 for Best Single Poem. See full details of the prize dedicated to Katrina Collins, mum of the exceptionally kind and ultra talented Briony Collins who is EIC of Atomic Bohemian, here.

And Finally…

Less than a week to go until the Poetic Voice for August is released on The Book Bag. Alarms should be set for noon on Friday 1st August.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: The Oasis
  • Poet: Charles Lang

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Concealed Pockets – Getting My Work Featured on The BBC

Recently, I took a leap out of my comfort zone.

Let’s start somewhere in the middle…

I took a breath and uploaded a poem to the BBC Upload portal after hearing Helen Laycock and Chris Campbell had appeared on their respective BBC Upload shows previously. It felt like a big step for me in getting my poetry out there to a new audience…

First though, I searched BBC Sounds for BBC Upload, found the North East programme and listened to a lot of episodes over one weekend. Then I had to find out how BBC Upload works. Well it’s a platform to upload poetry, comedy, stories and other content (not music) to the BBC Upload service region your work links to. In total I listened to about 10 episodes over a weekend on BBC Sounds . I loved the clowns/cabaret act interview.

Then I realised I had to make a video to upload. I used some footage from a recent trip to Alnwick Garden and recorded a voiceover of my poems ‘Taihaku Joypiloting at Alnwick Garden’. I did my best to make it presentable using my mobile phone which was just a case of trial and error. And back to taking the the breath and the uploading of the file from the beginning of this post. Confirming I want to proceed then waiting on tenterhooks to see if I could catch the attention of the producers.

A few days later, I got a very warm and friendly email from Emma Millen at BBC North East & Cumbria who curates the BBC Upload for Newcastle and Tees stations for BBC Sounds. Emma offered me an opportunity to go into the studio for a chat about my poetry, and to record some of my work.

On a sunny Friday, I put on one of my best shirts and pair of jeans, shook off some nervous excitement and made my way to BBC Newcastle Studios with the book bag in tow.

When I arrived I was a bit slapstick trying to open every entry door until I buzzed the receptionist who let me in and sorted my visitor badge out. I got to see a TARDIS in the foyer while I waited. Emma collected me and I was taken for my interview in one of the radio station studios. It felt a bit surreal at first, I won’t lie.

Emma and I had a chat where she made me feel really comfortable talking and sharing my work. Then in a flash I’d had been recorded and I was headed home to enjoy the rest of the sunshine.

The episode aired on Saturday 14th June on BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC Radio Tees. Here is a clip of me reading a couple of poems. I’m chuffed to bits with the edit, not to mention Sam Fender – People Watching was the song after my final piece on the radio. I was buzzing. I celebrated with a pink gin and tonic.

The whole process from start to finish was handled so well and I will (hopefully if they’ll have me back) share more work on the platform. It’s a great way to showcase your work and reach a broader audience.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and am truly grateful for the opportunity. Stepping out of the comfort zone every now and then is worthwhile and I would recommend more people try it.

For next time (if there is a next time) I’ll be a bit more organised and stick with the pieces I had originally planned to read because I changed my mind at the last minute.

Huge thanks to Emma for having me on and making me feel calm and relaxed as I could be. Her energy is infectious and that really helped.

To upload your work and get your work featured on BBC Upload visit:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/writers/opportunities/bbc-upload/ and select your area.

Take It Easy and Stay Poetic

Paul

The Book Bag: Concealed Pockets – Sonnet Restaurant

I’m going to be opening the Concealed Pockets of The Book Bag every now and then. First up, my thoughts on Sonnet Restaurant.

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I visited Sonnet Restaurant, a 14-seater restaurant that serves a 14-course tasting menu across a few hours in Alnwick, Northumberland  where all diners eat at the same time. Food x Poetry = a dream for me. This was a belated promotion / early anniversary celebration.

I could go on and on about the food however, I will simply state it was excellent, (Michelin and Conde Naste both agree) and we’ll be visiting again for a smaller lunch soon.

The experience was incredible, from the service which was friendly and attentive without being over the top and the wine flight paired perfectly with the courses.

This is a perfect place to eat when visiting Northumberland and I highly recommend if you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion. The space is intimate and bright and ends itself perfectly to relaxed fine dining.

A great finishing touch was the song ‘Sonnet’ by The Verve playing at the end of the meal. Another great detail was the course guide that was rolled into a scroll.

As sonnets go, the restaurant is comparable to Shakespeare’s 18th Sonnet. A marvel.

Hope you enjoyed this 14-line ( as it appears on laptop) response.

Stay tuned for more bits and pieces as I open more of The Book Bag’s Concealed Pockets.

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – June 2025

Welcome to the first 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.

So without further ado, our featured Poetic Voice for June 2025 is Matthew M.C. Smith. A man who does so much for poets across the world and an incredible poet in his own right. If you’ve read The Keeper Of Aeons Book Bag article, you’ll know I’m a big fan.

Matthew M. C. Smith is a writer from the east of Swansea, the industrial heartland of the city.  He has a PhD on Robert Graves and Celticism. He is widely published and his work can be read in Poetry Wales, Arachne Press, These Pages Sing, The Gower Society Journal, Atrium Poetry and Acropolis Journal. Matthew is writing his own novel of The Odyssey, hoping to complete a final draft in 2025. He is campaigning for the return of the “Welsh Elgin Marbles” – the Red Lady of Paviland – back to Swansea from Oxford. 

Matthew loves everything Star Wars, Welsh Rugby, collecting signed poetry books and 60s/ 70s vinyl. He can be found on long time-travelling walks in Gower and the Welsh hills and coastline. 

His last poetry collection was The Keeper of Aeons (Broken Spine, 2022). In 2024, he read with Owen Sheers and Matthew Hollis.

Matthew edits Black Bough, the Silver Branch project and TopTweetTuesday. He is on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Insta/ Threads.

Not a Mirror

and its flat, flipped impression,
not the containing frame. 
Not the predictable form of self,
presented, out there,
thinned in depth.

She wants to hold her hologram,
through passages of gold
out into the uncaring city:
through mindless mountains,
the ocean's unthinking, frayed edge,
bearing its fierce blue flicker
like a bust of Nefertiti,
unflipped, uncontained,
filling heart-sized height and depth.

She wants to hold its crackle
like an offering to be placed
at the sanctuary 
of a future self.
Green Man 

Mist drifts through webs, 
rain-flecked. 

From the house, 
from the ivy way, 
all paths spiral, shadowed 
by green ruins, 
unravelled to the sky 
and beyond, 
the forest is ghost. 

Walk through the night, 
walk to your rest, kneel 
under the beat moon 
and the pitiless stars
and look upon
the Green Man, 
moss-cheeked, 
ivy-bearded, 
who stares, 
deathless, 
through you.

Today, I’m sharing the following poignant and important piece by Matthew. 

Colouring the Birds of Gaza

In a gallery in Swansea
children are colouring in paper birds,
each one a symbol
of a child killed in Gaza.

Crayons are clenched, 
tiny fists of protest,
pencils propped 
in the pressing triangle of 
fingers and thumb.

Ask them,
the children always know the truth.

It's about power.
Violence breeds hatred.
No-one can ever win.
Everyone should be free.
Stop the War.

This is not the poem. This is almost 
nothing. Look, instead at the paper birds,
the children fixing wings on the glass
that crinkle in the sunlight.

I am delighted to share another poem from Matthew MC Smith today (30/06/2025).

Your Sundown is Electric
 
Tonight, I will imagine one sky
and your hand reaching up,
your fingers touching the shimmer
with whatever’s left in you.
 
You give the remains
of your palette’s freedom, 
watching it trail
through the sky,
like a comet’s
sinking tail.
 
Your heart is as long as the earth,
it could be forever, it cannot go –
a shock of joy before the low hum
of earth things 
and the stars’ iron wheel,
so distant from the wild streak of your wide eyes,
the intake of your breath.
 
Tonight, I will imagine one sky
and that you are that outstretched finger,
as you sit on that step, in a hallway
flooded by light,
looking upwards,
 
your sundown is electric.


Thanks for reading, keep up with my socials to find out when the next poem goes live. Username is @paulwritespoems on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X. You can also sign up to receive updates direct to your inbox when a new post goes live. Currently there is a delay in July’s Poetic Voice going live.

Take it easy and stay poetic.

Paul