poem

The Book Bag: After Party by Dean Browne

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

This week has been fun and fast.

I started the week with taking the dog to a secure field and woodland so he could run free and explore. He slept well on Sunday evening.

I received a letter with some beautiful poetry, followed closely by ‘the taro as deer’ by Caroline Harris.

Work has been busy and I am learning more in my new role daily. It was our company conference and hearing from the guest speakers was inspiring on the topic and approach to education.

It was another wonderful Write Here, Right Now. I set a rather complex prompt which was different to my previous prompts. I think it worked well. I am very proud of the small community that makes up Write Here, Right Now. Everyone has a different perspective which helps tremendously when reflecting on your writing and taking editorial suggestions.

I got to catch the Last Saturday Poets which was a showcase of Hedgehog Press poets. The readings were perfect as was the artwork shared by Karen Pierce Gonzalez.

It was also great to see Paul Connolly announce his debut book, coming out with Broken Sleep in 2027.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

After Party

  • Poet: Dean Browne
  • Press: Picador Poetry

After Party is the debut collection from Dean Browne. And what a debut it is. This is a book that takes you with it as it explores multiple themes from different perspectives and angles. I now need to get a copy of his chapbook, Kitchens at Night.

Vivid, textured imagery jumps from the page in many of the poems in this book giving an immersive feeling. ‘Listening To Joni Mitchell’s Blue While Cooking Peposo’ is fantastic and one of my favourites in the collection. ‘Scuttle’ is another excellent example as is ‘Fascinators’.

Several of the pieces use surrealism with great effect. It’s an excellent skill to connect with readers at a subconscious level using weird and unexpected language and images. The poems ‘Quiche’ and ‘Notes Toward an Epithalamium’ are both excellent examples in my opinion.

Excerpt of Quiche

We are treated to deep emotion in multiple ways across the collection. The poem ‘Percy French’ is a swathe of emotion, mostly regret and unexpected grief. The piece ‘Pinball’ (one of my favourites) moved me considerably. A dark humour fills ‘Parachuting Into The Volcano’ and ‘Prayer For Buster Keaton’ compared to ‘Butternut Squash’.

Fans of poets exploring different form are in luck in this book. Micro ‘The Infinite’ is tightly packed and appears in your mind and stays almost immediately. The piece ‘Horse Chestnuts’ (one of my favourites) uses excellent repetition to convey the atmosphere. The use of couplets in ‘The Pineapple Massage’ adds to the quirky feel of the piece.

After Party is an absolute corker of a book. It will appeal to readers who appreciate vivid imagery, humour and surrealism. Fans of form will love the variation. As debut collections go, this is one of the best I’ve read and i highly recommend you add it to your poetry library.

Favourite Poem
I’ve already mentioned ‘Listening To Joni Mitchell’s Blue While Cooking Peposo’, ‘Horse Chestnuts’ and ‘Pinball’ so I’ll add another seven. ‘The Triangle’, ‘Days Of The Brindled Cow’, ‘Synastry Chart’, ‘The Cup’, ‘Aide-Mémoire’, ‘Spacer’ and ‘Oink’ are still sticking in my mind.

To read more on Dean Browne click here.

To buy After Party, click here.

An After Party and The Book Bag wouldn’t be complete without the playlist. This week I have a special mix of music across genres;

Groove Armada – At The River
David Bowie – Life on Mars
Tiësto – Adagio for Strings
Dua Lipa – Levitating
Queen – Flash
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
Roger Sanchez – Another Chance
Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
The Cranberries – Linger
Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love
Jay-Z Featuring Mr Hudson – Young Forever
Joni Mitchell – California

Before I Go…

Unwhispered Legacy is launching on Tuesday. Hopefully it can raise some money for Médecins Sans Frontières. Keep an eye on social media for when the anthology goes live. My handle is @PaulWritesPoems across Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X and BlueSky.

One More Thing…

Remember to check out Vikki C’s March Poetic Voice feature here. It includes the Forward prize nominated ‘Morningfall’.

And Another…

Evie Carlyn has created a new space for poetry on BlueSky using the hashtag PoemsAloud. All you need to do is upload audio or video files of your poems.

And Finally…

Congratulations to all who had success in the National Poetry Competition especially the overall winner, Partridge Boswell. The Gathering is a wonderful poem.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Strike
  • Poet: Sarah Wimbush

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

Paul

The Book Bag: English Jack by Harry Gallagher

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

It’s been a couple weeks since I posted in The Book Bag, but I am back.

I’ve been busy with plans for 2026, finalising the anthology that will be launched on 31st March, submitting pieces and arranging Poetic Voices features for the coming months. I’ve also been lucky enough to host another Open Mic which was an amazing and intimate session.

Another good thing I got to do was nominating Matthew MC Smith, Paul Connolly and Vikki C for the Forward Prize. It’s a privilege to be able to give further recognition to such deserving poets.

Aside from that I’ve been lucky to see a sapling from the felled Sycamore Gap, a true symbol of resilience. I’ve also been on a mini-break including a visit to Bamburgh Castle, some time on the North Sea and a trip to Woodhorn Museum. I also attended a terrific talk by Rachel Joyce at the Alnwick Storyfest.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

English Jack

  • Poet: Harry Gallagher
  • Press: The Black Light Engine Room Press


I’ve met Harry several times including attending his stanza meetings on a few occasions. He is a great lad and always has time to speak to people and discuss and promote poetry. Harry is a natural performer and can get people truly engaged.

English Jack is a small pamphlet that follows the life of Jack up to his 50’s. This is a social commentary and a portrait of masculinity and identity that is immensely relevant to today’s society.

There are grim, stark points in this book. ‘Respect’ is a harrowing piece that resonates and teems with authenticity. It reminds me of the mindset of some of the men from the council estate I grew up on. The opening poem ‘Chip Off The Old Block’ is an ominous foreshadowing of things to come. ‘Lessons’ and ‘Borstal Dots’ are further forays into the Jack’s decline.

Harry creates delicate moments in his portrait of Jack. ‘Comic’ (one of my favourites) places Jack in the happiness and security of his Grandad’s house where we see a glimpse of Jack’s struggles with reading and the impact it has had at school. ‘Refuge’ and ‘The Gentle Girl As Mrs English’ are both tender and haunting.

Harry paints the time and landscape of the unfolding events remarkably in the pamphlet. ‘Summer Of Love’, ‘Away’ and ‘In A Corner Of An English Pub’ are all vivid in my mind and I can see each one playing out, in fact some of the moments in this book I have definitely seen unfold.

In terms of form and styles, rhyming structures are used expertly throughout with some arriving or leaving mid poem including ‘Dad’s Back’. Harry also uses various structures including couplets in ‘Blame’ and spacing to close out ‘Roadworker’. The book is a timeline across decades, and each piece is perfectly placed.

Fans of social commentary and gritty, true to life poetry will consume this book quickly then re-read and peel back further layers. This is an honest, important and necessary book that shines a light on a dark, cyclical subculture of masculine identity. The timeline format documents Jack’s downward spiral perfectly, illustrating inherited beliefs, culture and personality.

Favourite Poem:

Aside from ‘Comic’, I’ll add the following poem, ‘The Gentle Girl’ because it is a poem that gives hope for a better outcome.

Find out more about Harry here.

Buy English Jack here.

Are you looking for the playlist? Well here we go…

Chumbawumba – Tubthumping
Oasis – Supersonic
The Streets – Dry Your Eyes
The Who – Who Are You?
Elvis – Suspicious Minds
Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It
Sam Fender – Friday Fighting
Bruce Springsteen – The River
Manic Street Preachers – A Design For Life
The Smiths – Suffer Little Children
Lea McCann & Eddie Harris – Compared to What

Before I Go…

Tickets for The Book Bag Open Mic Session 4, taking place on Sunday, 2nd May are now available here. Limited readers and limited audience to provide an intimate, supportive and welcoming experience.

One More Thing…

The release of Unwhispered Legacy is fast approaching. An online launch has also been scheduled for Friday 1st May at 7pm (BST). Tickets will be available soon. Keep up to date with my socials for when they go live.

And Another…

Jeff Cottrill, a performance poet from Canada, has some UK dates scheduled for June. He’s been at a couple of Book Bag Open Mics and his work is funny, engaging and honest, follow him on Bluesky @JeffCotrill.bsky.social. He’s a fantastic performer and if you’re in the following areas and dates, I’d recommend you go along;
31st May: Poetry in the Park, Aberdeen
2nd June: Voices from the Fountain, Walsall
9th June: Survivor Poets, London
11th June: Worcester Litfest, Worcester.

He is also planning on attending the Fire & Dust Open Mic in Coventry on 4th June.

And Finally…

Iamb Wave 25 went live at midnight with a stellar lineup of poets. You can listen to the new wave plus all previous waves at https://www.iamb.uk/. Mark’s Iamb resource gives a terrific spotlight to so many great poets.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Birds| Humans | Machines | Dolphins
  • Poet: Genevieve Carver

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – March 2026

It’s March already. Spring approaches with pace, clocks are changing this month and I fell like time is something we can’t grasp both figuratively or metaphorically.

As we slide gently into the (hopefully) warmer months, it’s my pleasure to bring you another Poetic Voice.

I first encountered this poet on social media and was startled at the beauty and elegance of language used in poems that always include multiple layers and deep emotional connection with readers. I feel very lucky to be able to share original work from this tremendously talented writer.

So without further ado, let me introduce March’s featured poet….Vikki C.

Vikki C. is a London-born poet, essayist and musician whose poetry, fiction and non-fiction appears in over 90 publications worldwide. She has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and the Orison Best Spiritual Literature Award and was shortlisted in The Bridport Prize and other international literary contests. Recent and forthcoming venues include Grain Magazine, The Ilanot Review, EcoTheo Review, The Inflectionist Review, The Blue Mountain Review, Up the Staircase Quarterly, Psaltery & Lyre, Heavy Feather Review, Action, Spectacle, TIMBER, Skylight 47, Pinhole Poetry, Jarnal (Mason Jar Press), Ballerini Book Press, Astrolabe, Same Faces Collective, Bacopa Literary Review, Sweet Literary, Harpy Hybrid, Ballast, Emerge Literary Journal, Stone Circle Review, ONE ART Poetry, Feral, Salò Press, The Amethyst Review, Ice Floe Press, Black Bough Poetry, Cable Street, and Sunday Mornings at the River, among others. 

She is the author of the hybrid collaboration In The Blueprint of Her Iris (Ice Floe Press, 2025), the full-length collection Where Sands Run Finest (DarkWinter Press, 2024), the chapbook The Art of Glass Houses (Alien Buddha Press, 2022), and the micro-chapbook Dusklight Through The Dogwood Bower (Origami Poems, 2023). A winner of the Black Bough Poetry Collection Contest 2024, she has a book forthcoming with the press, and was also a Black Bough Silver Branch featured poet in June 2025. A longtime interdisciplinary artist, her writing, voice and music have featured on audio collaborations and podcasts. She serves as a contributing editor at The Winged Moon Magazine and guest edited the Ice Floe Press hybrid series ‘Process-Marginalia-Otherworlds’. 

You can keep upto date with Vikki’s work using the following;

Linktree: linktr.ee/vikki_c._author

Social Media: 
X: VWC_Writes
Instagram: vikkic.author 
Bluesky: vikkicwrites.bsky.social
Soundcloud: Vikki C. Music

Buy Vikki’s books using the links below:  

In the Blueprint of Her Iris (Ice Floe Press, 2025)
Where Sands Run Finest (DarkWinter Press, 2024)
The Art of Glass Houses (Alien Buddha Press, 2022)
Dusklight Through The Dogwood Bower (Origami Poems, 2023)

I am extremely grateful to be sharing a few poems of Vikki’s over the next month. It’s always a privelige when poets trust me to share work. For Vikki’s first poem, I have selected the incredible piece, ‘Morningfall’.

If you missed the news on Social Media last week, you may be unaware that Vikki’s poem ‘Morningfall’ was nominated by me for the Forward Prize.

Today, I’m sharing Vikki’s 2nd poem, Again, Ithaca. This is a poem rich in language, physicality and metaphor.

I can’t believe how fast this month is flying by. Here we are on World Poetry Day. This is Vikki’s final piece for her Poetic Feature. I’d strongly recommend you read more of her work. Check out her links above. Anyway, for World Poetry Day, this is ‘There’s the idea of prayer and the idea of us’. Again, tremendous use of metphor.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Vikki C’s feature which includes her Forward-nominated ‘Morningfall’.

Until next time, enjoy poetry, celebrate poets. It’s what the world needs…

Paul

The Book Bag: Along The Home Roads by Andy Perrin

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

This week, I joined my new team at work and was welcomed warmly by colleagues. It also meant I said farewell but I’m still within earshot of my previous team. They did gift me a lovely bottle of Hendrick’s Gin. Which I will savour!

In allotment news, we’ve cleaned the greenhouse and have started some seedlings off at home and chitted some potatoes for first and second early crops.

I dabbed with some watercolour and I’m happy my colour bending for sunset and sunrise is improving.

If you’ve been keeping up to date with Paul Connolly’s Poetic Voice feature, on The Book Bag: Poetic Voices, you’ll know I’ve shared a fourth piece. I’ve been really lucky to share his work throughout February. Read the feature here.

I also took part in #FragmentsFriday which I’ve mentioned previously. This was my poem:

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Along The Home Roads

  • Poet: Andy Perrin
  • Press: Bottlecap Press

Andy Perrin is a poet I’ve been reading for a few years now. He is a very supportive member of the poetry community on social media and I always welcome his commentary and encouragement. At the end of 2025, Andy held a giveaway for some of his copies of Along The Home Roads and I was very pleased and lucky to get one.

Andy is a master of minimalism in his word count, able to create vivid snapshots. His journeys (by bicycle) showcase terrific scenery. Poems such as ‘Point Judith Lighthouse’, ‘Wickford Harbor in January’ and ‘Spring’s Palette’ (one of my favourites) highlight this perfectly.

The reliance of humanity on nature as a healer is demonstrated across the pages in pieces such as ‘Serendipity’s Reward’ and ‘Along The Side Of The Road’. A favourite of mine is ‘A Winter Meadow Walk’, I’ve returned to it several times, it resonates so much.

The prevailing message in this book is hope.  This begins with the first poem in the book ‘The Night Map’ and continues throughout. ‘The Common Blue Violet’ uses colour to express this perfectly and brought a lasting smile. These were the right poems for me to consume this week.

Andy uses a variety of styles through the chapbook. We have couplets such as in ‘Daybreak in September’, micros including ‘Countless Faces’ and use of white space in ‘My Coastal Sanctuary’. Each style complements the language effectively.

This is a book that lifts spirits and will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry that recognises nature as a force for good. Fans of micro and minimal word counts incorporated across various styles will appreciate this book. It is a wonderful tonic of a book.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already said ‘A Winter Meadow Walk’ and ‘Spring’s Palette’ but I’ll also mention another handful, although this is a book brimming with top notch poems. So I’ll add ‘Stilled’, ‘Alone By A Fieldstone Wall’, ‘My Hydrangeas Didn’t Bloom Last’, ‘Of January 29, 1882’ and ‘The Home Roads’.

To read more on Andy and buy Along The Home Roads click here.

You’ve pedalled all this way, so here’s your playlist, this week with a mix of rock, pop, R&B and Jazz;

Cannonball Adderley – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Florence & The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Jay-Z Featuring Mr Hudson – Young Forever
Nat King Cole – Autumn Leaves
Hollow Coves – Coastline
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Chimes of Freedom
Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides, Now

Before I Go…
The Book Bag Open Mic Session 3 is taking place via Zoom on Sunday 8 March between 7pm and 9pm. Reader and Audience Tickets available here. The sessions are always a supportive environment to showcase your polished gems and roughcut coals.

One More Thing…
The Last Saturday Poets takes place on Saturday evening, hosted by the excellent Louise Longson. Another great lineup to enjoy including recent Book Bag alumni Carmella De Keyser & Corrina Board. Full details and tickets available here.

And Another…
Last week’s book, Mædwe is being launched online on Tuesday 3rd March with the terrific Victoria Spires in the hosting seat and amazing guest readers. Check out Corinna’s Instagram to sign up.

And Finally…
Happy 5th Birthday to Black Cat Poetry Press. The quality of titles released in that time is substantial and is a real showcase of contemporary poets.

Your regular weekly instalment will return on Sunday 8 March 2026. Next Sunday, March’s Poetic Voice will be launched at Noon…

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week with the launch of March’s Poetic Voice.

Paul

The Book Bag: Through Salt-Heavy Seas by Andrew Williamson

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

This week has been a fairly quiet one with the bleary, grey weather. I did manage to get across to our allotment and look at the current progress of garlic and shallots, parsley and onions. They seem to be doing well despite the constant rain. At home we sowed some sweetpeas to start them off for spring. Also we harvested the last of the sprouts and used them to make a delicious slaw.

I’ve been able to write, do some editing, I launched this month’s Poetic Voice, the excellent Paul Connolly. Read part one here and bookmark for further work being added.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Through Salt-Heavy Seas

  • Poet: Andrew Williamson

I first encountered Andrew Williamson’s poetry as part of the weekly PoemsAbout prompts on BlueSky ran by Alan Parry & Broken Spine. His work caught my eye for several reasons – the minimalist word count, the power he packs in and the relatability of his poems. Andrew is also a member of Write Here, Right Now and always provides clever and creative insight.

Through Salt-Heavy Seas is a collection that focuses on place and how it impacts our very core. The piece ‘Tūrangawaewae’ (one of my favourites) and ‘When You Are Ready To Get On The Plane’ both lean into Andrew’s antipodean heritage. ‘The Kitchen’ draws readers into the intimacy and legacy of domestic spaces.

Imagery is vibrant and vivid throughout the collection. A prime example (and one of my favourites) is ‘Coire Uisg’ which uses a broad palette to paint the horizon. ‘Lambing Snow’ will feel ultra-familiar to anyone who has lived in rural areas or worked in agriculture. The piece ‘Forest’ is a clever poem that inverts the natural imagery of a forest poem.

Across the book, poems will cocoon you in various emotional states. ‘Hiraeth’ sparks pride, ‘Lullaby’ is a heart-wrenching piece that drew pause. The piece ‘Catching The Train From Dundee on New Year’s Eve Without You’ is an authentic and relatable love poem especially for those who’ve ever had to leave the comfort of family for a place that now feels unfamiliar despite its familiarity.

There is varied use of form and style in the collection with ‘Seven Questions To A Mountain’, a question poem, ‘Spring’ gives us a haiku which is always a treat. I enjoyed the looseness of punctuation that allows readers to dictate pace and let the poem continue in the mind to shape an outcome especially in ‘Coming Out Of Hibernation’ and ‘I Am Waiting For A Summer That Never Comes’. Andrew has also added a small glossary of translations to the book which was welcome as I was able to add to my vocabulary. In fact, Andrews use of traditional languages is an excellent inclusion in the book. Keeping these words in the public’s mind is tremendously important.

This collection will appeal to readers who love poems that speak of place and how we carry it. Poetics who want emotive pieces that speak on relationships and longing with honesty and authenticity will appreciate the poetry contained within. A gem of a book packed with relatable, accessible poetry that can be returned to time and again.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already mentioned ‘Coire Uisg’ and ‘Tūrangawaewae’. Here’s another handful that spring to mind as I write this. ‘Unrequited’, ‘An Dùblachd’, ‘Variants’, ‘Kintsugi’ and ‘Letting In The Wolf’. I’ll also say ‘Compass Point’.

To learn more about Andrew, click here.

To buy Through Salt-Heavy Seas click here.

And if you’re looking for this week’s playlist, here it is. Something a bit eclectic again but what else would it be?!

Deacon Blue – Dignity
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
Runrig – Skye
Mànran – Lahinch
Ellie Beaton – The Island
INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five
Manic Street Preachers – A Design For Life
Crowded House – Weather With You
Art Pepper – Patricia
Norma Winstone – Distance
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending

Before I Go…
The Book Bag Open Mic Session 3 is shaping up nicely with exactly a month to go. Reader and Audience tickets are available here. Always a supportive and inclusive space for poets to share polished gems or roughcut coals.

One More Thing…
The Broken Spine have a submission call for Punk poetry. An opportunity to let loose and potentially be published in print. Full details can be found here.

And Another…
Black Bough Poetry has a new project called Fragment Friday. Details are on social media. Give them a follow and get involved (Meta: @blackboughpoetry / X: @blackboughpoems / Bluesky: @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social).

And Finally…
The North currently have an open submission call for their ‘Libraries’ issue. Libraries mean so many things to so many people. Full details available here. 

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Mædwe
  • Poet: Corinna Board

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – February 2026

Welcome to the first poetic voice of 2026. February is a special month as I celebrate my birthday AND i get to share work from an incredible poet and man.

I first encountered this Poetic Voice sharing his work on the weekly PoemsAbout prompts supplied Broken Spine on Bluesky, finding his poetry smart and accessible and full of wonderful phrasing and incredible language. Then I heard him read at an Open Mic and I was blown away with his performance, he performs with an vigour and gravitas and if you get the chance to hear him read his work, do take it – he often shares his recordings on social media. I’ve been fortunate enough to strike up a real connection with him.

So with further ado, allow me to introduce the excellent Paul Connolly. Find him on Bluesky at @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social.

Paul Connolly has written verse all his life but turned more serious attention to it about fifteen years ago, having set aside his Orwell Prize-longlisted satirical blog. Since then he has had well over 100 poems published in poetry magazines and online periodicals across the globe. He was third in the Magna Carta Poetry Competition, highly commended in the Sentinel Prize, and has a Charles Causley Prize shortlisting and two for the Bridport Prize (as well as a Bridport longlisting in the novel category). Last year, he was among the finalists for the Walking at Night writing prize and received a Best of the Net nomination. He is now seeking a publisher for his first poetry collection and his two novels.

Across the month I will be showcasing a bumper four poems from Paul, starting with two today that showcase Paul’s range.

This is ‘Late Summer Walk’.

Poem 2 is titled ‘Graduation’.

I am always grateful to showcase writers with range. Here we see a piece steeped in urban reality.

Paul’s final poem is called ‘Now’ and is a terrific example of combining the poetic with the real. An excellent piece to bookend the work shared this month.

I’d like to say a big thank you to Paul for sharing these excellent pieces over February and feel honoured to showcase some unpublished pieces.

Stay Poetic,
Paul

The Book Bag: The How In The World by Louise Longson

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

This week I’ve been able to celebrate Mrs S’ birthday with an afternoon tea, a day out and a movie night despite being lemsip cold.

The submission window for Black Bough’s Christmas/ Winter anthology opened and lots of poems are pouring in. Of my own writing, I’ve written a couple of pieces and edited them down. I was also in the audience for Iamb’s sixth birthday celebrations. A tremendously stellar lineup.

Aside from that, some unexpected news at work means I’ll be joining a new team in the next couple of weeks. I did receive a wonderful letter that raised my spirits.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

The beautiful cover was designed and created by the multi-talented Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad

The How In The World

  • Poet: Louise Longson
  • Press: Hedgehog Poetry Press

Louise Longson is an incredibly talented poet having won the inaugural Kari Ann Flickinger Memorial Literary Prize in 2023 and has released several books over the past few years. She is also a massive supporter of the poetry community hosting a monthly showcase on the Last Saturday poets (you may have caught the Iamb special yesterday evening, mentioned above). I’m a big a fan of Louise’s work.

The How In the World is an ecopoetry collection that examines the impact of humanity on nature and vice versa. It’s a book I’ve been looking forward to reading for a while.

Louise’s poetry teems with indictment and one of her strengths is getting the reader to invest immediately. The pieces ‘Hunger Stones’, ‘Prayer For The Bodies Of Those Who Died Violently’ and ‘The World Is A Mirror Of Myself Dying’ all capture environmental suffering and decline through human, industrial and agricultural expansion. ‘Dark Harvest (26 March 2022)’ is another poem that really hit me hard. These are not your typical eco poems. They have bite, purpose and importance.

Readers are immersed in vivid scenery in poems such as ‘Graveyard by the Sea’ which uses multi-sensory language to immerse the reader. The piece ‘Spirit Bear’ (one of my favourites) puts us firmly in nature with a sense of motion.

Louise plays with form in various ways throughout the collection. The use of white space in ‘The Impact of Atmospheric Change on Bird Flight’ is put to great use supported by beautiful language. The shaping of ‘How We Are Like The Moon’ is terrific and seems to shift depending on how you hold the book in your hand. The piece ‘Memories Left By Water’ (one of my favourites) is a skilled crafting of a piece that can be read as three different poems.

This book will appeal to fans of ecopoetry who like their poems to have purpose and truth. If you love a broad scope of language and imagery, this collection would be an ideal fit in your poetry library. If you want to feel, buy this book. A phenomenal read.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already mentioned ‘Spirit Bear’ and ‘Memories Left By Water’. Another handful as I write today are ‘How We Are The Willows that Weep By The Banks of The River’, ‘Somewhere In The Shadows’, ‘How We Are Something Sharp Smoothed By The Sea’, ‘Depth of Field’ and ‘Finding A Piece of Humanity’.

To find more about Louise, click here.

To buy The How In The World, click here. You can also contact Louise directly for a signed copy.

Wondering what my playlist to enjoy with The How In The World is? Look no further…

A Winged Victory for the Sullen – Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears
Laura Marling – For You
Sigur Rós – Samskeyti
Fleetwood Mac – Songbird
Paul Desmond – Take Ten
Amy Macdonald – Caledonia
Ella Fitzgerald & Nelson Skylark
John Coltrane – After the Rain
Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
Phoebe Bridgers – Scott Street
Duran Duran – Planet Earth
Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight

Before I Go…
The Book Bag: Poetic Voice for February 2026 goes live at Noon today. Links will be dropping on social media, keep your eyes peeled.

One More Thing…
Black Bough Poetry has an open mic on Wednesday 11th February. They are always supportive and welcoming evenings, and Matthew Smith is a great host. Tickets available here.

And Another…
Matthew is also holding another Crafting Your Year in Poetry workshop which I highly recommend. It kept me on track and accountable for my goals in 2025 and continues to do so. Tickets here.

And Finally…
I mentioned the submission window for Black Bough’s Christmas & Winter Anthology opening for entries this week. Remember, the window closes today (1st February 2026). Get your poems in.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Through Salt-Heavy Seas
  • Poet: Andy Williamson

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

Paul

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 Christmas Party

Well as it’s the last weekly entry in The Book Bag of the year, I thought I’d indulge us in a Christmas Party to round off an exceptional year of poetry.

So, we’ve got cocktails, a quiz, a playlist that will suit everyone plus some prompts to get stuck into. Oh and I’ve got a poem to share and other bits and pieces.

Tear the clingfilm from the vol au vents, and let’s dive in.

First, here’s a cocktail from the bar. A Yule Mule.

In a tumbler add:
A good scoop of crushed ice
50ml Vodka
100ml Cranberry Juice
100ml Ginger Beer
50ml Orange Juice

Garnish with:
A Sprig of Rosemary
A few cranberries
A slice of orange

Get comfortable and stay away from Google. Before the music starts and everyone dances like they’ve just discovered movement let’s have a little poetic quiz. Only 15 questions on the topic of poetry:

Who released their debut collection ‘Sculling’ in 2025?

How many lines are in a sonnet?

Complete the title of this collection from Gill Barr,

‘A Wide River_____ __’

Which famous Irish Poet wrote “Digging”?

“Rage, rage against the dying of the light” was written by

A. Dylan Thomas
B. WH Auden
C. TS Eliot

How many words are required for a quadrille?

Who wrote the winter poem Harbinger found in this year’s Christmas / Winter anthology from Black Bough Poetry?

Who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2025?

In which TS Eliot poem does the line “Winter kept us warm” appear?

How many syllables in total are in a standard haiku?

Who was the first Poetic Voice to appear in The Book Bag?

What is the name of my poem in the anthology Rites & Trials, recently published by Broken Spine?

Name the current British Poet Laureate.

What is a quatrain?

How many presents in total would you receive from your true love in the 12 Days of Christmas?

How did you find that? Has it made you hungry?

Why not treat yourself to a snack from the buffet.

There’s a lovely Baileys Christiramisu at the end there. Just make sure Marjorie doesn’t hide it to take later…

Here’s a winter poem for your enjoyment (hopefully).

I’ve given the DJ the nod to start the disco.

Here’s the playlist he will be using. Feel free to offer any more suggestions…

The Pogues Featuring Kirsty McColl — Fairytale of New York
Mariah Carey — All I Want for Christmas Is You
Ariana Grande — Santa Tell Me
Wham! — Last Christmas
Leona Lewis — One More Sleep
Kool & The Gang — Celebration
Chic — Good Times
Dua Lipa — Don’t Start Now
Kylie Minogue — Spinning Around
Lady Gaga & Beyoncé — Telephone
Bruce Springsteen — Dancing In The Dark
Daft Punk — Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)
Boney M. — Mary’s Boy Child
Slade — Merry Xmas Everybody
Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
Shakin’ Stevens — Merry Christmas Everyone
Sia — Candy Cane Lane
Taylor Swift – Ophelia
Cher — DJ Play A Christmas Song
Backstreet Boys — Backstreet’s Back
Chappell Roan — Pink Pony Club
P!nk — Raise A Glass
Whitney Houston — I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Bryan Adams — Summer of ‘69
Queen — Don’t Stop Me Now
Elton John — Step Into Christmas

Who’s worn out? Me too. Time to settle in for a Christmas Film or 2.

The popcorn and spiced almonds are coming around with some Black Forest Hot Chocolates.

We’re starting with The Snowman. And once we’ve shed some winter tears we’ll get joyous with Elf.

What are your favourite lines from Elf? Or are you not even a fan?

Here’s a gift for you all. Three festive poetry prompts to keep you busy.

Snow Globe Nights – write a nighttime piece as if you are stuck inside a snow globe, What’s the scene you’re surrounded by? What’s happening outside the curve? Stick to less than 100 words.

The Joy of Smiles – create a 30-word poem on a smile or smiles of loved ones. Avoid cliche and make it dynamic.

North Star – Inspired by the night sky, craft a free verse poem with the North Star as the central focus point. Make it cosmic and epic in scale with a generous 150 words split into 5 stanzas.

It’s time to zip up The Book Bag for the final time of the year. There is one last gift though. For anyone who missed the submission window for the Unwhispered Legacy anthology. You have until 9pm on Wednesday 17th December 2025 to submit up to 2 pieces. Details on subs here.

I hope to catch some of you at the launch of the Black Bough Christmas Anthology that is happening later today (5pm GMT) – tickets are free and available here.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year To You All

The Book Bag: Make Up My Mind by Leia Butler

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

Well, what an exciting week. The Christmas Gift List went live last Sunday. If you haven’t read it yet, you can here. Feedback has been highly positive, and it could return in 2026. Let me know what you think.

I was so happy to welcome December’s Poetic Voice, Sophie Dumont, who is kindly sharing work from her profound collection Sculling. Read the first part of the feature here. Also, Sculling is one of my picks in the Christmas Gift List. An outstanding debut.

The submission window opened and closed for the Unwhispered Legacy anthology. I’m looking forward to reading and curating pieces and launching in Spring 2026.

I had some acceptances, my piece ‘Midnight Swingball’ made it out into the world with Ink, Sweat and Tears, I also had some excellent news about a Pushcart nomination for my poem ‘Of A Darkening’ which was unexpected and delightful.

We got over to the allotment despite the weather and were able to harvest the last of the radishes and plant our rhubarb crowns. We also picked and decorated our Christmas tree which was proper festive fun. I’ve already started watching vintage Christmas tv and movies.

How good was the full moon this week? Apparently, it was an extreme supermoon and the next time that occurs is 2042.

To top off a great week, I’ve been reading;

Make Up My Mind

  • Poet: Leia Butler
  • Press: Steel Incisors


Leia Butler is a super talented poet and editor. You may know her from her role as head editor at the excellent Full House Literary magazine or from previous collections including ‘Thoughts I Lost in The Laundry’ (Stanchion, 2024) and ‘Tear and Share’ (Broken Sleep Books, 2021). If you get the chance to hear her read at an open mic or online, her conversational style really shines through. Also, Leia has been highly supportive of my poetry journey and The Book Bag.

Make Up My Mind is a visual poetry collection that sparks a vibrant kaleidoscope of makeup across the pages giving a fresh and inventive feel.

Within the book Leia examines perception and critique and how this informs life. The pieces ‘Frequently ignored questions’ and ‘Take these as compliments’ are a commentary on social and societal attitudes to women and are stark.

Self is explored in pieces including ‘Unfortunately I don’t have it’ in the form of a letter to their childhood self and deals with loss of identity. Also, in ‘If I’m being honest. I’m not good at anything’ looks at insecurity and the worry that those insecurities will be identified by another.

‘How do I type into google’ is an effective piece demonstrating anxiety and drawing empathy from the reader. The poem ‘I don’t get embarrassed’ is a terrific commentary on how micro events can result in a physical state of unease. The repetition of ‘I’m blushing’ creates that sense of unease that embarrassment brings.

The poetry across these pages contains lots of wit and humour. I chuckled reading the piece ‘Yes, I chose this mug especially for the call’ (one of my favourites) because it’s authentic and relatable. This is also the case in ‘What do you do of a Saturday evening’, a poem that so many will appreciate and identify with.

‘Inheritance that lasts’ is a poignant piece examining grief and how it can materialise in memory tied to objects. ‘You’ve not lost yet, but you will’ is another powerful piece about how grief can overcome you during unexpected moments.

Fans of form are treated to a hybrid visual / poetic style that plays with shape. ‘When I turn 23 I’ll be so fucking cool’ is one of the examples where a makeup palette is combined with a list poem to great effect. The visual shadowing of words emphasis through echo in pieces such as ‘Apply, carefully, it stains.’ and ‘We will never argue when we get married’. The combination of evocative language and bursts of colour heightens urgency and mood. The piece ‘Keep it all inside’ about bottling emotions, showcases this expertly.

This is a book that will appeal to fans of relatable poetry with a deep emotional underpinning, lovers of visual poetry hybrid form, readers with a sense of humour. It will also resonate with poetic who appreciate work that explores self and society. This is a marvel of a book that would make an excellent Christmas present. Buy it.

Favourite Poem: I’ll include a handful of poems this week from myself and a bonus favourite from Mrs S who also loved this collection. So, to go with ‘Yes, I chose this mug especially for the call’, I’ll add‘I’m telling you the truth!’, ‘Warning!’, ‘I met all the best people accidentally’ , ‘You’ve got the job’ and ‘No I’m actually never angry’.

Mrs S’ Bonus Favourite: ‘What do you do of a Saturday evening’.

To buy Make Up My Mind, on eBook click here or in paperback, click here.

You can learn more about Leia by visiting her website here. And don’t forget to check out Full House Literary if you haven’t already done so.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a regular entry in The Book Bag without a playlist. So here is my recommended listening:

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe
Lily Allen – Smile
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Blink 182 – All The Small Things
Charlie Puth – Lipstick
Destiny’s Child – Mascara
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Disclosure featuring Gregory Porter – Holding On
Wolf Alice – Don’t Delete The Kisses
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Fleetwood Mac – The Chain

Before I Go…
In my Christmas Gift List I mentioned the Christmas Winter Anthology from Black Bough Poetry. Well it has been released and is available in hardback and paperback. Full details and links to buy, can be found here. It’s a special collection.

One More Thing…
Black Bough is launching the collection on Sunday 14th December 2025 from 5pm (GMT). Tickets are free. Sign up here.

And Finally…
Tickets are still available for The Book Bag Open Mic Session 2. Share roughcut coals or polished gems in a supportive environment. Details can be found here.

Next Week: Something a little bit different…

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

Paul