Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
It’s been a productive week in the allotment with strawberry runners being planted, the fruit cage being finalised and the cold frame started. Things are taking shape.
Last Sunday we went to Wallington, a National Trust property not far from Morpeth. It was a perfect day for a long autumn walk. We also got to take in the photography exhibition dotted throughout the East Wood. I may write an ekphrastic piece about one of the images. The below, I took on my phone. I think it sums up autumn in Northumberland.
My copy of Anarkiss Vol.9 arrived (I have 3 pieces in the zine) and it is filled with excellent art, poetry and essays. I’ve also done some planning and sent off a couple of submissions. I am thoroughly loving reading for Frazzled Lit, and have been lucky to read some terrific poetry.
At work, I’ve had some big news (good) and the intense spell has trailed off into a busy period of identifying and implementing improvements. I also got some really lovely feedback from a colleague that almost had me welling up.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
A Wide River Divides Us
- Poet: Gill Barr
- Press: Cinnamon Press
I first heard poems from this collection at an open mic over zoom and was captivated by Gill’s reading and the subject matter.
A Wide River Divides Us is a debut collection that examines the history of Derry/Londonderry during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. It is a compelling witness statement told from a narrative perspective beginning in childhood through to adulthood.
Although there is danger in these pages, notably in pieces including ‘Soldier Doll’, ‘Why We Leave Cook Terrace’ and ‘Coleraine’ there is also a huge degree of resilience and community. This can be seen in the poems ‘Isolated Shooting Incident’ and ‘Keep Walking’. The retelling of events is handled is authentic, you can feel every word and emotion. You get all of Gill’s experience through vivid imagery that at times is startling including in ‘Claudy’ and ‘A Dance Lesson’ compared to ‘Delay’ which feels softer edged.
Nature is a recurring theme throughout the book and feels like both escape, outlet and sanctuary. The poem ‘Port Na-Garley’ is an exemplary piece describing a heron. In ‘On An Evening Gently Falling’ (one of my favourites) we are treated to rainfall described eloquently, almost dreamlike. The pieces ‘Talking To Each Other’ and ‘Line In The Sand’ are further examples of this.
A standout of this book apart from the wonderful poems is the language that Gill uses. The pieces, ‘Palmer’s Moon’ and ‘Veduta’ are perfect examples of this. We are also provided with a variety of different styles from the sprawling ‘They Came Out The Mist’ to the couplet structured ‘Magilligan Point’. The italicisation in ‘Privilege’ makes the piece feel important, immediate (read the notes on this poem at the end of the book).
I could write so much about this book because it is outstanding. The fact it is a debut is even more impressive.
This collection will appeal to readers who appreciate compelling witness accounts, eloquent language, effective imagery and human connection and poems that make you react and reflect. This is a book that provides a testimony of events from a city caught up in violent, political turmoil and is an important book especially with current climates. A Wide River Divides Us is in my top 10 of reads this year. This is striking poetry.
I’m not the only one who thinks so either. Gill collaborated with a young film-maker to to make a poem-film of the title poem and it has just been shortlisted for 13th O’Bheal International Poem-Film Festival in Cork taking place in November, details here.
Favourite Poem:
I’ve already mentioned ‘On An Evening Gently Falling’. Here are another seven in no particular order (I could name a good few more); ‘Lough Shore Nocturne’ ‘Seaside, Seesaws and Other Oscillations’, ‘Diogenes Got Up And Walked’, ‘A Wide River Divides Us’, ‘Mixed Signals’, ‘Night Promenade’ and ‘The Road To Shroove’.
To read more about Gill, click here.
To buy A Wide River Divides Us, click here.
Oh, you want a playlist to read along with the collection? Here you go…
Foy Vance – Guiding Light
U2 – Bad
The Undertones – It’s Going To Happen
Enya – Evening Falls
Paul Desmond – Emily
Dave Brubeck Quartet – Strange Meadow Lark
Kenny Wheeler – Kind Folk
CMAT – Stay For Something
Christy Moore – North & South Of The River
The Corrs – Runaway
The Cranberries – Dreams
Before I Go…
Did you catch my callout for Christmas Gifting Ideas? Help me put together a post that will help poetics with their gift giving while boosting poets and presses at the same time. Details here.
One More Thing…
Black Bough are hosting an open mic next Sunday. Always a warm and welcoming environment to share poems. Details here.
And Another…
The Book Bag Open Mic Sessions: Session 1 is on Sunday 9th November. Share your polished gems or roughcoat coals. The line up so far is excellent. Details of tickets here. Be quick, there’s only a handful of reader spots left. Or you can come along and enjoy being a member of the audience.
And Another…
The Eat The Storms Podcast has returned for a new season, episode 1 dropped last Sunday and is a great listen. Available where you get your pods, details here.
And Finally…
Remember, Frazzled Lit are still accepting works throughout October, for free. Read the submission guidelines here and send your best work.
Next Week’s Read
- Title: Wonderful
- Poet: Harry Baker
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Paul
Paul Writes Poems 