Poetry

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: Birds | Humans | Machines | Dolphins by Genevieve Carver

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

What a busy week. It always feels that way when you go back to work after a break!

I was lucky enough to host imagist extravaganza TopTweetTuesday and read & hear some fantastic pieces. It’s a great platform to experiment with your poetry. I also took part in Fragment Fridays to get in some writing practice and woke up on Saturday to the news that my poem was joint 3rd with the incredible Regine Ebner this week. This weekend I dedicated to working on my own writing (and the Tyne-Wear derby). On top of that, I got a Forward prize nomination from Full House Literary! I’m still buzzing at this incredible news.

I’ve added a nightly reading hour to my schedule this week, to take a break from screens. The first book I read was Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These and got engrossed, so I finished it in a sitting. An excellent book.

The finishing touches are being added to the anthology. I’m so excited to share it with the world on March 31st. The quality of writing is incredible, and the poets have been a joy to communicate and work with.

There’s been some sunshine and warmth in Newcastle. It makes a massive difference. At the allotment we have planted some vegetables and salad items. We’re also ready to pot on the tomatoes and have bought the grow bags ready for the greenhouse.

We also installed my bat box in the back garden. I hope we get some pipistrelles nesting.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Birds | Humans | Machines | Dolphins

  • Poet: Genevieve Carver
  • Press: Guillemot Press


I was sent a copy of Birds | Humans | Machines | Dolphins as a recommendation of something I would enjoy reading by Leia from Full House Literary. Leia was not wrong.

There is some exceptionally emotive poetry in the book that never strays across cliche ‘Concurrences’ is a perfect example of this. The piece ‘ROV’ (one of my favourites) triggered a physical emotional reaction. I had to take a reading break and have a tea. The closing piece ‘~whistle~’ is a triumph in showing multiple emotional states across a single poem.

Humour can be found across the pages. Two of my favourites ‘Please Do Not Anthropomorphise The Animals’ and ‘~buzz~’ are great examples. In fact I’ve felt like the closing to ‘~buzz~’ on a few occasions the past couple of weeks!

Excerpt from ~buzz~

We are treated to wonderful imagery through sound and movement. In the pieces ‘~echolocation click~’, ‘Beatrice’ and ‘Ringing a Fulmar’ readers are immersed in vivid scenes with added feeling of motion.

Form and style is played with excellently throughout the book. ‘Hazard Risk Assessment’ is an excellent multi-poem spread across grid paper. It is little touches like this that can elevate books. In the Machines section, the font is amended to a retro robotic style. I read some of the pieces in this section in an internal voice resembling an android. This font coupled with the formatting of ‘C-Pod’ (one of my favourites) gave it a real sense of a tickertape.

This is an exceptional book that nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy. Fans of evocative , emotionally engaged poetry will appreciate the layered and clever writing throughout. Poetics who admire playfulness with form and a hybrid style will love this book. This is a marvellous read.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already mentioned ‘ROV’, ‘C-Pod’, ‘Please Do Not Anthropomorphise The Animals’ and ‘~buzz~’. I’ll also add ‘Hydrophone’, ‘Postcards From A Fulmar’ and ‘Field Log’. Every poem in this is top class.

To read more about Genevieve Carver click here.

If you want to buy Birds | Humans | Machines | Dolphins, click here.

You’ve stayed for the playlist? This week’s eclectic mix was a mix of pop, rock and dance…

Passenger – Two Beautiful Birds
The Foo Fighters – Learn To Fly
Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World
Florence & The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
James Blunt – Postcards
Shed Seven – Dolphin
Beyoncé – Single Ladies
10CC – I’m Not In Love
Adele – Rolling In The Deep
Elephant Micah – Field Notes
Deepest Blue – Deepest Blue
Ultra Naté – Free

Before I Go…

Have you kept up with Vikki C’s Poetic Voice feature? Her final poem was added on World Poetry Day on Saturday. Read the feature in full here.

One More Thing…

The Last Saturday Poets is coming up on 28th March 2026. Details and tickets of the stellar lineup can be found here.

And Another…

Have you checked out Rebecca Leek’s podcast, The Ditty Bag yet? It’s available to listen to via her Substack here. It’s a great way to discover poets and poems, new and old.

And Finally…

Eleanor Holmes online launch of #Moth is in April. I’m delighted to have been asked to be part of the reading line up which includes some fascinating poets including Sarah Raybould and Elizabeth Osmond. Full details and tickets are available here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: After Party
  • Poet: Dean Browne

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: Mædwe by Corinna Board

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

This week has been a fairly busy one. I celebrated my birthday on Wednesday and despite the dreary weather had an amazing time. Did I buy a few books? Yes. Did I enjoy a delicious dinner at Lollo Rosso? Yes. Because of the rain, we postponed visiting Howick Hall Snowdrop walk until yesterday where for the first time in what seems like forever we had sunshine! A great Valentine’s Day gift!

I was also able to chill, listen to some  Coltrane and Davis, and play some sax. I also dabbled with my watercolours, finished some books and returned to the Wasteland in Fallout 4.

Also, it was the return of Write Here, Right Now on Thursday evening. Another insightful and informative session. Having time dedicated to writing and being able to gain insightful peer feedback is tremendously valuable. I’m really proud to be part of it.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Mædwe

  • Poet: Corinna Board
  • Press: Salò Press


I’ve followed and enjoyed Corinna’s poetry for some time now and always find her work engaging, fascinating and full of beautiful language.

Mædwe is a pamphlet that drops the reader into the countryside, with nature and humanity intersecting in various ways. This begins with the titular poem ‘Mædwe’ that gives a vibrant introduction to the book.

Corinna is able to use imagery with ease. Poems engage the reader fully in scenery that is vivid and dynamic. The piece ‘You Find A Fox Skull’ (one of my favourites) reminded me of growing up in Northumberland and building forts in the willow, birch and hawthorn treeline close to the recreation field. The poem ‘Do You Speak Field?’ is another terrific example where the reader is given space to allow the poem to breathe.

The poems in this pamphlet are filled with heart and admiration for nature and its positive qualities in dealing with complex emotions. ‘Something Like Hope’ is a prosaic piece that takes the reader along on a searching walk with the narrator. ‘Meadow Semantics’ has a sense of survival, resilience and renewal.

Form is fluid throughout the book with multiple styles to excellent effectiveness. One of my favourites uses form terrifically. ‘A Short Guide to Noticing’ is a list poem that transfers to short stanzas full of wonderful language. Another piece (and another of my favourites) ‘Attempting to Translate The Curlew by Listening to Sound Samples on My Phone’ is extraordinary in its use of language, format, spacing and ambition. ‘Emergency For Bees’ is a tremendous use of erasure poetry and has real impact both in terms of message and visually.

This is a book that will appeal to lovers of poetry, lovers of nature poetry, lovers of poetry with heart. Fans of creative use of form will love this. It is an exquisite collection and a book everyone should be reading in 2026. I can’t praise this enough as it is another book that has expanded my perspectives on poetry like Leia Butler’s visual approach in Make Up My Mind.

Favourite Poem:

There are so many special poems in this book. I could name every single one and that wouldn’t be a stretch. So to go along with ‘A Short Guide to Noticing’, ‘Attempting to Translate The Curlew by Listening to Sound Samples on My Phone’ and ‘You Find A Fox Skull’, I’ll go with ‘Human Interviews Local Brook’, ‘A Dunnock’s Prayer’, ‘Meet Me In The Field’, ‘Tournesols’, ‘Field Notes’, ‘Owl In A Box’ and ‘& Then A Lark’.

To learn more about Corinna, click here to read an interview in The Wombwell Rainbow..

To buy Mædwe, click here

As always here’s a playlist that I think accompanies the book well. It’s a quirky mix of modern and vintage this week:

Oasis – Songbird
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
Joni Mitchell – Little Green
Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
Passenger featuring Birdy – Beautiful Birds
Miles Davis – Stella by Starlight
George Ezra – Green Green Grass
The Corrs – Summer Sunshine
Sigrid – Home To You
Sting – Deep In The Meadow
Eurythmics – Here Comes The Rain Again
Gregory Porter – Skylark

Before I Go…
Have you been keeping up with The Book Bag: Poetic Voices feature for February? A new piece was added on Tuesday and shows a grittier side to Paul’s work. Read the full feature here.

One More Thing…
I highly recommend Black Bough Poetry’s Crafting Your Year in Poetry session. It’s a great, collaborative session to identify gals that you can realistically aim for and achieve over the year. There’s one happening on Sunday 1st March. Details here.

And Another…
Poetry Wales have a submission call for poetry on the theme of teaching. Find the details here.

And Finally…
The Alchemy Spoon are also looking for poetry. This time on the theme of ‘bugs’. More information here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Along The Home Roads
  • Poet: Andy Perrin

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

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