Poetry

The Book Bag: Midden Witch by Fiona Benson

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

This week has been busy. An open mic on Thursday, was a highlight although I could only stay for the first half. I submitted a couple of pieces to some really good magazines, had a tussle with Submittable and had a lovely rejection. I finished an audiobook that felt like it was unfolding in real time in places. Work is busy, and enjoyable and I’ve been able to work on a new project. I did find some time to get a long overdue haircut. On Sunday evening (tonight, 6th July), I’ll be reading at the Black Bough open mic.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Midden Witch

  • Poet: Fiona Benson
  • Press: Cape Poetry

Let me address something. This is the first time I’d read a collection by Fiona Benson in full, so I came into this review with only my appreciation for her work that I’d read in anthologies and online.

Midden Witch is divided into sections each titled with links to witchery, for example, ‘Discovery of Witchcraft’ and ‘Familiars’. There are micropoems on each division page, which feel like bonus material.

Language is a major strength of Fiona Benson. As this is a collection steeped in witchcraft and magic and the perception of it, this is no major surprise but poems such as ‘Robin Goodfellow’ and ‘North Berwick Witch Trials’ are incredibly rich. In fact, some of the pieces felt like spells, especially ‘Song of The Riparian Zone’ (part ii of ‘Beaver Trial’).  

A key theme throughout the book is how those in power have mistreated people, especially women in medieval times. Famous witches (yes I did my research and was shocked, SHOCKED by the accounts!) are referred to throughout such as ‘Jenny Greenteeth’. Poems including ‘Defamatio‘ showcase persecution. The reference to the church and the antaganost in the piece ‘Matthew Hopkins (Persecutor)’ is forthright and unapologetic.

There are some moments where I felt my heart crush and I had to pause reading, the impact was so intense. This was the case with ‘Charm For An Ailing Child’ . When you have such a strong emotional response when reading, you know a collection will stay with you.

Nature plays a major role in this collection. Fiona Benson creates exceptional imagery in pieces such as  The symbiotic relationship between humans and nature is explored also. The poems ‘Lark Ascending’ and ‘Lilac Chaste-Tree’ are great examples of this and show completely opposite approaches. However, ‘Moss’ for me is the standout in this theme, partly as I am partial to it but mostly because it is exquisite.


There is plenty of wit and humour in the collection in different shades. ‘The Bill Against Conjurations And Wichecrafts And Sorcery And Enchantments, Henry VIII, 1541-2 Cut Up, Rearranged’ feels like a dark satire reimagining a law against Witchcraft signed by Henry VIII, a King known for his treatment of women.

Fiona Benson plays with form throughout. We have chaptered poems in ‘Babushka’. ‘Amy Duny’ reads like biographical prose with a great shift in the closing line. Tercets appear throughout, including in ‘Wisp’. Alignment and spacing is played with in the poem ‘Exorcism: Wild Horses’ adding further emphasis to the writing.

Favourite Poem:

There’s a few in Midden Witch that I returned to time and again this week. I’m picking five six seven today, but it could be a lot more.  ‘Midden Witch’, ‘Patrick Swayze’, ‘Invention Of Opium’, ‘Leddy Lister’, ‘Accusatio’, ‘Charm For An Ailing Child’ and ‘Transformation: Galinthis’.

This collection will appeal to many. Witchcraft enthusiasts for one. Oh and people who agree that rules aren’t applied evenly to all genders, sexes and classes. It will appeal to poetry readers who love rich language, nature, various forms, myth, metaphor and realism. A bewitching collection.

To read Fiona Benson’s bio, click here.

Buy Midden Witch here.

What’s your favourite Fiona Benson poem or collection? Let me know in the comments.

I’m sharing another playlist today to accompany the reading;

Kate Bush – Babooshka
Evanescence – Bring Me To Life
Nina Simone – I Put A Spell on You
Frank Sinatra – Witchcraft
Donovan – Season of The Witch
Stevie Nicks – Rhiannon
Wardruna – Helvegen
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Spellbound
Aurora – Running With The Wolves
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – The Time of My Life

One More Thing…
It was great to see an exciting opportunity for poets who had attended or plan on attending one of the Black Bough Poetry ‘Crafting Your Year in Poetry’ workshops. I found this opportunity through subscribing to their newsletter. A terrific source of information including details of Louise Machen’s forthcoming online launch of I Am Not Light, a link to the new Silver Branch feature for July which celebrates a tremendously talented poet and artist, Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad and details of their next ‘Crafting Your Year in Poetry’ workshop. Sign up to their newsletter here.

And Another…
There is a new resource available to writers to get their work in front of new audiences through the Promote Indie Lit platform. If you know any writers who are looking to get their name out there for free, definitely direct them to https://promoteindielit.com. There are multiple opportunities and mediums for writers to have work shared including reviews (some will appear on The Book Bag), interviews, features and more.

And Another…
The Broken Spine are launching a new workshop. Cut To The Bone is all about editing your poetry to its sharpest. Details here.

And Finally…
Beautiful Little Fools is released on Monday July 7th 2025 exploring and responding to The Gilded Age. I’m very happy to have two pieces in the collection, sharing pages with some incredible poets. On Monday, go to Amazon and search Beautiful Little Fools. I’m sure Broken Spine will be sharing a link on Monday via their BlueSky social media.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Modern Poetry
  • Poet: Dianne Seuss

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Down River with Li Po by Karen Pierce Gonzalez

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

This week has been busy. Friends visiting the past weekend got us across North Tyneside and Northumberland. A walk around Rising Sun Country Park, a trip to the coast and a walk over the causeway to St. Mary’s Lighthouse. Some fish and chips too. I also saw Tim Minchin live on Wednesday at Newcastle City Hall who was excellent as always. His live shows always make me laugh, cry and leave with a smile.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Down River With Li Po

  • Poet: Karen Pierce Gonzalez
  • Press: Black Cat Poetry Press


I first read Karen’s work on a Broken Spine or (maybe a Top Tweet Tuesday) prompt response. Then I was lucky enough to see her read on an open mic and it was clear that she is both a tremendous writer and performer. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on one of the several collections Karen has or is releasing this year. I will be honest here, I had been sent this collection electronically hence it being on my tablet, but I have also ordered the physical copy, I loved it that much (it didn’t arrive intime for the photos which will be updated once it arrives). Read on for my thoughts as well as an eclectic playlist.

Down River with Li Po transports us back in time and space back to 8th Century China during the Tang Dynasty whilst also having a foot in modern California. This adds a great dynamic to the collection as the parallels become visible.


From the first poem, it is clear that creating sensory immersive imagery is one of Karen’s strengths. Pieces including ‘Lantern Festival’, ‘On The Bank’ and ‘Waking Up In Paradise’ are all terrific examples of this.

The collection feels relaxing, soft and uncomplicated as readers sail down the Yangtze River. Pieces such as ‘Waiting’ and ‘At The Harbor’ are excellent examples of crafting serenity in poetry. ‘A Tender Walk’ is a beautifully crafted piece that made me feel calm after reading.  However, Karen counterpoints tranquillity with urgency in pieces such as ‘When The General Arrives’ and ‘Instincts’.

Nature is a focal point in the collection. ‘Early Summer Rain’ is a fine example of Karen’s ability to weave the domestic and the wild. ‘Dandelions’ is a perfect display of economy of language and the omnipotence and movement of the oft overlooked golden wildflower.

Relationships are explored in the collection. ‘During The Invasion’ portrays a protective instinct. ‘Woodland’ reads as a poem of longing, potentially of lost love and how we attach meaning to sensory input. ‘We Meet In Spring’ is a wonderful piece. There is so much contained in eight lines.

Karen is deft at using form and formatting to set the pace of individual pieces. ‘Wistful’ and ‘Merlot With The Moon’ are two examples where a change in formatting and use of space adds further depth to the poems. ‘Between Us’ plays with alignment on the page as does ‘Bird Talk’ and many others.


This collection will appeal to anybody who wants to immerse themself in a calmer, less complicated world, even if it’s just for a few minutes away from the chaos, listen to the sounds of the natural world both modern and centuries old. It will also resonate with readers who appreciate rich imagery and expert use of language. It is a triumph.

Favourite Poem:
I have a few in this collection. ‘The Shift’, ‘Between Us’, ‘Dandelions’ and ‘Imperial’ all wrangled for top spot on various days.

To read more about Karen including other works, click here.

To buy Down River with Li Po click here.

As promised, a playlist;

Wong Yiqin – Summer of Jiamusi
Zhou Xiao-Qing – Chinese Dragon
Hong Ting – Lotus Out of Water
Zhang Wei-Liang – Plum Blossom Melody – Three Variations
Yu Xunfa – Six Clappers in Zhong Hua
Joni Mitchell – California
Bruce Springsteen – Goin’ To California
Maxime Le Forestier – San Francisco
John Denver – Country Roads

One More Thing…
Keep an eye out for another poem from June’s featured poet dropping on Monday. If you’ve missed it, catch up on the feature here.

And Another…
I’ll be sending out invites for this month’s Write Here, Right Now writing group meeting this week. If you’d like to know more, drop me a message on social media. We are an inclusive, supportive group.

And Another…
Beautiful Little Fools, an anthology inspired by The Jazz Age, following 100 yeas of the Great Gatsby will be released on 7th July 2025. If you follow me on social media, I’ll be sharing a link when it goes live.

And Finally…
The Winged Moon are open for submissions on the theme of Biophilia until the 2nd of July. More details here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Midden Witch
  • Poet: Fiona Benson

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Lode by Gillian Allnutt

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

This week has been a week. For starters, I’ve hurt my back and it’s limiting what I can do. But this week I shared an article on recently appearing on the BBC, sent out a couple of submissions, done some prep for next month’s Write Here, Right Now, we had some close friends visit us from Lincoln. We also harvested and ate some of the turnips from the garden.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Lode

  • Poet: Gillian Allnutt
  • Press: Bloodaxe Books


I was tipped off to Lode by Bloodaxe Books (as its NE based) and had pencilled in to read in July. However, I got myself a copy early, moved some dates around due to postage and decided to rad it this week and share my thoughts with you all. Also there’s a playlist below (just my recommendations).  

Lode is divided into three sections. Postwar, Covid and Earth-hoard. We start in 2016 then time travel across generations throughout the book going back to late 40’s Britain all the way to modern day.

There are deeply personal pieces in this book. The poems dedicated and in memoriam of Gillian Allnutt’s father are full of emotional resonance. ‘Flame-thrower’ is an exceptionally crafted piece that gave me pause.

I’m familiar with most of the northern villages and towns mentioned throughout Lode. Therefore, when seeing names of places, I know in some of the poems, I could feel myself there enjoying sight, smell and sound memory concentrated even more so by Gillian Allnutt’s writing. ‘Dunstanburgh’, a conversation poem in the collection is home to a ruined castle and is a favourite walk of ours from Craster. In ‘My Father, Mislaid’, a moving piece, Gillian takes us to Chillingham, a place I’m very fond of.


There are threads of spirituality peppered throughout the collection. The poem ‘The Way She Remembered It’ is preceded by a quote from Song of Songs. In ‘Trist’ God is referred to again. In ‘At 71’ the poet reflects on Covid, mortality and loneliness. It’s a balanced poem of humour and sadness.

Nature plays a key role in the book both in terms of the landscape and fauna. ‘Dark Night of The Soul’ is an incredible piece that is both introspective and rich with natural imagery. As is the piece ‘Of The Trees In The Wood By The Old Pit Line’. I enjoyed ‘Golden Saxifrage’ as it combines wild nature, domestic lawnmowing and an online literature festival (saxifrage is one of my favourite plants especially the arctic variety for its resilience).

Wit is a constant through the collection. The poem ‘Azuma Meditation’ is a clever piece. Also ‘Audience’ will draw a smile where Gillian Allnutt is meeting Queen Elizabeth II when collecting her Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2016.

Form-wise, we are treated to various forms and devices. There are micropoems including ‘Footnote’, I’ve mentioned ‘Dunstanburgh’ which is a poem in conversation script form. Some pieces including ‘Audience’ have an internal rhyme structure. There are couplet arranged pieces including ‘Pink Jenkins’ and ‘On Having To Leave York University Without The Clock’. I must also mention the notes section of the book. This gives extra emphasis to the pieces and context.


Favourite Poem:
There’s a few that I must name. Crabapple Moon, The Walk (allowed) and The Song of Arachnid. I could add a few others including Beechwood, Do The Birds Worry? and Roughage.

To read more about Gillian Allnutt click here.

To buy a copy of Lode direct from Bloodaxe Books, click here.

This Week’s Playlist:

Kathryn Tickell – Back to the Rede
Mark Knopfler – Kingdom of Gold
Exile – In Between Tides
Lindisfarne – Kings Cross Blues
Sting and The Police – Brand New Day
Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band – Songs of the Tyne
The Unthanks – Magpie
Sam Fender featuring Easington Colliery Band – Remember my Name
The Jam – London Calling

This is a book with broad appeal. It has heartfelt, emotive poetry, wit, excellent imagery and various forms. The book navigates shifts in time deftly and like a lode, this book is a journey. Now, I need to get my hands on more of Gillian Allnutt’s work to read.

One More Thing…

You can read my piece on appearing on the BBC here. If you’re a poet or writer looking to get your work out there, it may be worth a read.

And Another…

Black Bough Poetry has another Crafting Your Year In Poetry workshop coming up on 13th July, a great way to help get serious about your writing. Details here.

And Another…

It’s not long until the Frazzled Lit Short Story Competition Closes. Details here.

And Another…

Broken Spine Arts has a range of events coming up including open mics and workshops. Details can be found here.

And Finally…

The Beautiful Little Fools Anthology, published by Broken Spine Arts will be out Early July. This is a book in response to the Jazz Age. It’s hotter than a Gatsby party. More details soon.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Down River with Li Po
  • Poet: Karen Pierce Gonzalez

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

Paul

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

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

Let’s start somewhere in the middle…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take It Easy and Stay Poetic

Paul

The Book Bag: I Am Not Light by Louise Machen

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

What a couple of weeks I’ve had. A trip to the Lakes including taking in Sizergh Castle, Levens Hall and Hill Top, home of Beatrix Potter. Also, my better half and I, celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary, I’ve hosted Top Tweet Tuesday, launched The Book Bag: Concealed Pockets, hosted Write Here, Right Now and submitted a couple of pieces and attended Regine Ebner’s online launch of Mountains That See In The Dark that was a delight and had some incredible guest readers. Oh, I was invited to read at a forthcoming launch as well which I’m very excited about and a little shocked.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

I Am Not Light

  • Poet: Louise Machen
  • Press: Black Bough Poetry


I have been a fan of Louise Machen’s work for quite some time after seeing a few pieces online as part of Top Tweet Tuesday. I was especially drawn to the emotion she can weave throughout her poetry. When I found out Louise was slated for a full collection, I kept looking out for the release date. It arrived at the end of May and I ordered immediately. Again I’ve popped an eclectic playlist to listen to further down the page…

Evocative, emotive poetry is Louise’s poetic superpower. The book is filled with strong currents of defiance, conflict and resilience that energise the collection. The pieces ‘A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire’, ‘Becoming An Arborist’ ‘Familial Obligation’ and ‘Dirt’ are just some of the pieces full of impact that make you pause for breath.

Grief is a recurring theme. Not just for the dead but for the living and self. Poems such as ‘A Disremembering’, ‘People Disappear’ and ‘And Then, We Never Spoke Again’ are heartfelt pieces that land with every reading.

Poems throughout the book are relatable, with scenes set so vividly that they feel tangible and immersive. While reading ‘The Queen of Sheba’ I was there, watching the events unfold from the narrator’s perspective, synapses and senses working in unison.  

Aside from the poems grounded in life, readers are treated to broader settings. ‘El Corazon’ transports to the cosmos and back again.

Imagery sets the scene perfectly throughout. Urban reality is displayed sharply and keenly in the pieces ‘1989’ and ‘The Playground’. Then we have pieces such as ‘Dawning’ and ‘A Defunct Radio Station on A Cliff Edge’ which contain stark, rugged coastal beauty.

Nature is in integral throughout but used in various ways and depictions. ‘Moss’, ‘Truth-Telling’ ‘Nightingale’ and ‘Amazonite’ are all great examples.

Form is played with throughout. Contemporary haiku makes an appearance in the piece ‘Shore-bound’. ‘In Pursuit Of Edges’ uses double column formatting to accentuate the delivery. ‘Words Never Spoken’ is a piece that uses space on the page to great effect. I should also mention ‘Splinters’ that discusses the role of narrator in Louise’s work. A tremendous piece.

This is a collection that is intimate drawing you into a swell of emotion and poetic mastery. It has broad appeal for lovers of evocative poetry who appreciate expert use of language and vivid imagery. It’s already been nominated by Black Bough for a Forward Prize. A cracking collection that overflows with quality. Buy it here.

Find out more about Louise Machen including other publications here.

Playlist

Oasis – Cigarettes and Alcohol
Ocean Colour Scene – The Riverboat Song
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
Cher – Just Like Jesse James
Salt + Pepa – Push It
Deacon Blue – Dignity
Madonna – Who’s That Girl
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
Garbage – Special
Blondie – Maria
Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen
Queen – The Show Must Go On
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Taylor Dayne – Tell It To My Heart
Sam Fender – People Watching


Favourite Poem:

Again a collection this packed, I have to choose more than one. ‘I Am Not Light’, followed by ‘The Tenth Muse’, ‘Rebel Glow’ and ‘Cherry Bakewell For The Fire Gods’.

One More Thing…

Louise Machen recently hosted Top Tweet Tuesday with a prompt to respond to the title poem from I Am Not Light. You can read my response here.

And Another…

A busy week for Louise. On Sunday she has an audiobook being released alongside Shakquile, Noor Iman & Culain Wood called ‘Which Way The Words Grow’. Available on all major platforms.

And Another…

Vikki C. is the current featured Silver Branch Writer on Black Bough Poetry. Read her captivating work here where you can also learn how she crafts her writing.

And Another…

A couple of weeks ago, I visited BBC Newcastle and recorded some poetry for BBC Upload. I’ll be sharing my experience next weekend. In the meantime you can listen here.

And Finally…

Have you been keeping up to date with The Book Bag: Poetic Voices? A new poem from Matthew MC Smith was added yesterday and is poignant and highly relevant. Read the poem here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: Lode
  • Poet: Gillian Allnutt

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Concealed Pockets – Sonnet Restaurant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black Swan

After Louise Machen’s ‘I Am Not Light’

Stale streams of striplights flicker—
febrile, buzzing like midges—
soundtrack the waiting room.

Swans crane their necks
toward a droughted hell
wings cupped in prayer
for what must be the first time
in years.

Cornflower bluebirds skitter
faster than waterfalls,
chirping names;
a few heads look up—ruffled-eyes
blinking away sorrow-grit,
they glide solemnly,
signets held pinion-close.

By the time I’m called,
I’m trapped in
viscose oilspill thought-pollution
too heavy to featherspread and fly,
too scared to inhale truths —
exhale finalities.

I am not light,
I am the weight of masculine expectation,
so I don my taxidermy mask.

Smile.

The Book Bag: When It Rained For A Million Years By Paul Farley

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

This week has been busy. Bank Holiday blustery winds almost sent my towels into next doors garden, I got an acceptance and a rejection,  saw some oystercatcher chicks fledge from the nest near work and attended the Broken Spine Arts open mic on Thursday evening. Also, I started anniversary celebrations with a visit to a very special restaurant. Details on that in couple of weeks maybe.

I also launched The Book Bag: Poetic Voices. If you’re yet to read, each month will feature a different Poet, showcasing an exemplary piece of poetry. I’m really excited for the names coming up and chuffed to bits that Matthew MC Smith agreed to be the inaugural Poetic Voice.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

When It Rained For A Million Years

  • Poet: Paul Farley
  • Press: Picador

Sometimes a book cover or title will grab you. This is what happened when I saw ‘When It Rained For A Million Years’. Both grabbed my attention, and as I read the back cover, I thought, yes this will do. In all honesty, I hadn’t picked up a Paul Farley book prior to this purely because I hadn’t come across his work. Something I will be rectifying.

Again, I’ve popped a playlist that I listened to whilst reading this as it was well received from last week’s episode.

There are some real impactful and emotionally charged poems within the collection including ‘Source’. The piece ‘Difficult To Enter House’ felt heavy and I had to take a few minutes to breathe before continuing reading. Another excellent example is ‘Our Father Showed Us Sea Level’, that had a different sort of weight.

Farley peppers humour throughout the book whether tongue in cheek or satire. I chuckled a while after reading ‘Turkeys’ and ‘Attack of The Fifty-Foot Poem’. However, these pieces are multi levelled and on second reading you find more and so it continues.

The imagery on display in this book is vivid and potent. Pieces such as ‘Wagtail Roost’ and ‘Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village’ and ‘Corncrakes’ are perfect examples. The poem ‘Cross Bedding, Between Edge Hill and Liverpool’ is another that I was drawn to. A marvel.

The landscape plays an integral role in this collection. The settings aren’t pastoral. Farley uses industrial backdrops (his bio does mention he is from Liverpool) to great effect, and they seem familiar. Liverpool and Newcastle are similar in terms of industrial heritage. Poems such as ‘King Carbon’ and ‘The Workaround’ (which takes us back in time and to the North East) shine a spotlight on these often-overlooked places. On a side note, the people of Liverpool have my thoughts after the horrific scenes following the bus parade.

References to pop culture appear throughout the collection. The poem ‘Usher’ takes us into the cinema of the early 90s. Each stanza headed with a movie title. Zoom pops up in the piece ‘Gorilla’ and ‘Horde’ gives readers an 80s soundtrack.



Form and style take on various forms throughout the book. One of my favourite examples of this is ‘The Execution of Anne Boleyn, Airfix 1:12’. A meticulous piece that I almost lost my head at.

Here’s the small playlist I enjoyed when reading this book.


David Bowie – Space Oddity
The Beatles – Hey Jude
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Sting & The Police – Roxanne
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Bruce Springsteen – Dancing In The Dark
De La Soul – Me, Myself & I
Duran Duran – The Living Daylights
Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

This collection has broad appeal. I would recommend it to poetry readers who enjoy vivid imagery, humour and emotion woven through excellently crafted multi-layered pieces.

Favourite Poem

Again, I’m choosing a few this week. Bubblewrap, Trth and Where the Owl Sleeps and the Spiders Nest.

One More Thing…

Your regular episode of The Book Bag will be taking a break for next week as my wife and I are celebrating our anniversary. See below for the cracking book I’ll be reading for the next entry.

And Another…

I’d love some audiobook and podcast recommendations to listen to during travelling. Let me know on social media or in a comment below if you have one.

And Finally…

I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all poets who were on the longlist and the prize-winners for the Rialto Nature & Place competition that was recently announced. It was great to see Book Bag poets Matt Gilbert & Victoria Spires amongst the names.

The Next Read Coming on 15th June 2025

  • Title: I Am Not Light
  • Poet: Louise Machen

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

Paul

The Book Bag: Poetic Voices – June 2025

Welcome to the first instalment of a new feature as part of The Book Bag. Poetic Voices will feature a different poet every month. This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and will run concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on books I’ve read in the week.

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

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

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

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

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

Not a Mirror

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

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

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

Mist drifts through webs, 
rain-flecked. 

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

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

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

Colouring the Birds of Gaza

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

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

Ask them,
the children always know the truth.

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

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

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

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


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

Take it easy and stay poetic.

Paul

The Book Bag: East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon by Taz Rahman

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

This week has been a fun one. Projects coming together, submissions entered, lovely sunshine walks with my wife and Brody the dog, Julian Cason wrote some very nice things about me on Top Tweet Tuesday reviews week, I cooked up a storm in the kitchen, played some sax and gardened a little. I also saw my first swift and watched the pipistrelles swirling in the twilight.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

East Of The Sun West, Of The Moon

  • Poet: Taz Rahman
  • Press: Seren Books


I was lucky enough to see Taz perform live at the incredible Black Bough Poetry fundraiser in aid of WellChild in Neath in 2024. If you get the chance to hear him read and perform, sit back and enjoy.

Jazz. Poetry. Two art forms that complement each other in terms of speaking an improvised language that is unusual but makes perfect sense at the same time. In their purest forms they are outlets for the disenchanted, disenfranchised, the dismissed. They also happen to be two of my passions. I’ll share a playlist that I listened to whilst reading this book further down the page.

Imagery is delivered with the grace and flourish of a blues scale. ‘Bread of Heaven’ is a perfect example of immersing a reader in a poem that by the end you feel a sense of connection to the poet. This is also the case for ‘Animal Wall’, a sectioned piece that incorporates folklore.

There’s genuine emotion on display throughout the book. The poem ‘Chocolate’ displays fear compared to ‘Sanctuary’ which I felt showed his feeling of safety and peace. I must almost mention the piece ‘Drama/Trauma’ which is really important and exquisitely crafted.

For the romantics, which I count myself as, ‘I Want To See Your Face in Every Kind of Light’ is excellent. I also consider ‘The Free State of Roath’ to be a love poem either to person or place.


Place is important in the book. There are references to Cardiff and Wales, scattered throughout. ‘The Nearness of You’ takes a walk-through Cathays Cemetery. I’ve already mentioned ‘Animal Wall’ and ‘Sanctuary’ above but you get a real sense of surroundings with Taz’s deft use of vivid language.

Equally important is Taz’s admiration and relationship with nature. This is apparent in his language. Poems such as ‘Muktijoddha’, ‘Snapdragons Need The Bulk of Bumblebees to Force Open The Flower’ and ‘Substrate Of A Rose’ show this off really well.

There are poems linked to Taz’s heritage that lift from the page through sensory experience. ‘Anda’ is mesmerising with scents of daal, hot sugar and rosewater. ‘Yashica 365’ is a poem that opens the book with a rich tapestry of language that is evocative, full of sounds, smells and colour.

Taz plays with different forms and styles throughout in the book. These shifts add interest and deliver his lyrical language sometimes interpreted messages with great skill. Pieces such as ‘Permission’, ‘Trap Arachnids For Rainy Days’, ‘Amygdala’ and ‘Chocolate’ are a selection that show the variation and strength of his skill. Also, I must mention the introductions and quotes that precede some of the pieces. It was great to see Johnny Cash mentioned, someone with a deep relationship with Jazz.

This collection is one of my personal favourites. The connection between jazz and poetic skill and language often mirrors itself throughout. Taz uses rich imagery and terrific language and turns of phrase and has crafted an exceptional book. A masterpiece. Buy it.

Also as promised, a playlist to listen to while reading. This was my personal choice anyway…

Trying To Figure It Out – Grace Kelly
Freddie Freeloader – Miles Davis
C Jam Blues – Charles Mingus
Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk
In A Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
East of The Sun (And West of The Moon) – Charlie Parker
Night In Tunisia- Dizzy Gillespie
Mood Indigo – Frank Morgan
Blue in Green – Cannonball Adderley

Favourite Poem:
I’m choosing three this week. Permission, Turning Saints into the Sea and East of the Sun, West of the Moon.

Taz has a website over at https://tazrahman.blogspot.com/ where he regularly shares updates and news.

To grab yourself a copy of this terrific collection, visit the Seren Books website here.

One More Thing…

Keep a close eye out for a new monthly feature from The Book Bag launching on June 1st. It’s an exciting development which I think you will all enjoy.

And Another…

For the Short Story authors, this is a polite reminder that the great people at Frazzled Lit are opening their competition on 1st June. Details here.

And Another…

Fans of open mic’s, whether to perform or be in the audience, the Broken Spine Arts #PoemsAbout event takes place Thursday 29th May. All the information can be found here.

And Finally…

Regine Ebner and Black Bough Poetry are having an online launch for her collection Mountains That See In The Dark on Saturday 7th June 2025. There’ll be readings from Regine and special guests. Grab yourself a free ticket here.

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: When It Rained for a Million Years
  • Poet: Paul Farley

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

Paul