The Book Bag

The Book Bag: Mountains That See In The Dark by Regine Ebner

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

Well what a week it has been. After 70 years without a domestic cup, Newcastle United finally won the League Cup at Wembley. Since then, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind of emotions. I attended an awayday at work and heard a speaker discussing change which was really interesting. I also met a friend for a catchup over food and drinks.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

Mountains That See in the Dark

  • Poet: Regine Ebner
  • Press: Black Bough Poetry

A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on Regine Ebner’s pamphlet ‘Oxidized Pennies’. I said that a new collection was coming from Regine in the near future, and readers, it has arrived.  You’ll also know that I’m a massive fan of Regine in her poetry and for her adventurous spirit.

The collection, recently announced as nominated for a Forward Prize by Black Bough Poetry, is divided into 6 sections (including bonus poems), each taking inspiration from the mountainous desert terrain that serves as a backdrop for much of Regine’s poems. A page ‘About Regine’ gives details as to how her life was shaped and how she arrived in the desert.

Her skill in economy of language has evolved since Oxidized Pennies. Two compact poems; ‘Citrine’ and ‘Drunk Confetti’ illustrate this, with word choices connecting to their underlying themes more vividly. I can also say the same for ‘Jellybean Hill’ and ‘A Myriad of Leaf’.

Regine plays with the spectrum of colour deftly in the collection. The pieces ‘Apparitions’, ‘Cracked Surfaces’ and ‘Hurricanes’ paint the wilderness of the mountainous desert region brilliantly, lifting them from the page to the mind’s eye.

The imagery throughout is exceptional. I could list countless poems in this collection where it felt as though I was immersed in landscaped scenes unfamiliar to me. I will pick out the following as examples; ‘Bonds of Salted Land’, ‘Missions and Slit Rail Fences’ and ‘Hushed Peaks and Glory Columbine’.  A great deal of the pieces are love letters to the environment that Regine calls home.

I read a quote at the Northern Poetry Library a while ago that said ‘…Poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen’, and this collection is definitely testament to that.

Poems including ‘Love and Beasts’ and ‘Desert Streets’ play with movement in differing ways. The shifts in pace really engage the reader further rather than rushing them through to a crescendo of a closing line.

Mountains That See in the Dark is a tremendous second ‘album’ that will appeal of lovers of imagery woven throughout emotional and natural reckonings. This is precise poetry that resonates.

To buy Mountains That see In The Dark, and find more about Regine, click here. It is available in both Paperback and for Kindle.

Favourite Poem:

Doorways.

One More Thing…

My efforts to start a new online poetry writing group have ramped up and will soon be sending out invites. The plan is to host every 6 weeks midweek, probably a Thursday evening (UK time).

Next Week’s Read

  • Title: A Dress With Deep Pockets
  • Poet: Jen Feroze

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week. If you have any recommendations in the meantime, please leave a comment.

Paul

The Book Bag – Headlands by Alice Stainer

Welcome back to The Book Bag. Happy New Year!

I hope you’ve all enjoyed a peaceful and calm festive period.

Over the past few weeks, aside from attending poetry parties, I’ve been celebrating Christmas, and New Year, seeing friends and family and getting a couple of poetry acceptances. I’ve also done some reading and writing and attended a workshop from Broken Spine Arts about ‘Writing the Night’. 

At New Year, our tradition is to go for a walk to blow away the dust from December and welcome in January. So in that vein, I’m sharing a pamphlet that treats us to glorious landscapes to walk among…

Headlands

  • Author: Alice Stainer
  • Press: Live Canon

Alice is a widely published poet with several nominations and awards for her work, so it is no surprise that Headlands contains poetry that carries you through the pages from beginning to end without a misstep. 

Landscapes are described beautifully through rich language and incredible imagery. The opening poem ‘Up Wavering Down’ is a prime example of this as is ‘Whaligoe Steps’ and ‘Port Meadow in Winter’  and ‘PPS. 

‘Dance To The Music of Uncertain Times’ (for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet) is a perfect poetic display of resilience and bravery. After reading this poem, I sought out a documentary to learn more. 

In Headlands, we are treated to some excellent use of form, notably in ‘Moon Moods’, ‘Dress Code’ and ‘The Call’. The different uses, add extra heft to the poems.

Emotions ran high when reading the poems ‘Review’, ‘Blue Wallpaper’ and ‘Still Life’. These are pieces that leave lasting thoughts on you after reading. Remarkable.

Grab this pamphlet if you want to read a collection that will transport you to vivid landscapes to meander along, feel the kaleidoscope of emotions as you journey and give you that thrill you get when you breathe fresh air.

Favorite Poem:
Headlands. Followed closely by Metamorphic.

One More Thing… 

Headlands is Alice Stainer’s debut pamphlet and was the Winner of the 2023/24 Live Canon Pamphlet Competition.

Buy it here: https://livecanon.co.uk/store/product/headlands-alice-stainer 

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s next in my book bag

  • Title: Rescue Lines
  • Author: Lesley Curwen

Drop a comment and let me know if you received any poetry collections or anthologies over Christmas and how you found them.

Take it easy and stay poetic,

Paul

The Book Bag – Elemental by Helen Laycock

Welcome back to The Book Bag. Last week, I shared my thoughts on Consolamentum. The launch on Zoom via Black Bough Poetry was a great evening of poetry with some incredibly special guests.

This week, between following the US Election, seeing fireworks and enjoying a delicious meal in Northumberland, I’ve been reading;

Elemental

  • Author: Helen Laycock
  • Press: Independently Published

I was lucky to meet Helen at 2024’s Black Bough Poetry Party in Neath after reading her poetry on Twitter/X for @TopTweetTuesday. I was drawn to her work as she used space on the page in multiple poems rather than having a singular alignment. Also, the fact Helen is such a lovely force in the poetry community is another reason I enjoy her work.

Elemental was released in 2024 and is a collection of poems based around the elements of air, fire, earth and water. The poems are a tapestry of imagery, sound, motion and emotion. 

In Helen’s poetry, space is used to great effect. This is highlighted in the piece ‘Water Gasp’ as it moves through centralised stanzas into separated lines that control the flow and emphasise the emotion and movement. It also allows the reader to fully take in the scene delivered through vivid language. The poem ‘Spooling Light’ resembles a reel, matching the subject matter. It is a terrific poem delivered in so few words.

For fans of intricate imagery, read ‘Winter Flame’. That was my wife’s favourite piece of the collection. Other vivid pieces in the collection include Snowflakes, Communion, Stunned and Hare. 

Helen weaves emotion through her poetry. ‘Lovelight’, ‘Whale Fall’ and ‘The Sadness of The Tree Spirit’ are heavy with meaning and made me pause to reflect. 

If you want vivid poetry that packs a punch, and where various forms are used, buy this book. I’d buy it just to read my favourite poem (below). It is exquisite and special.

Favorite Poem:
‘An Ocean of Orca Tears’. It is an emotional journey about a mother’s grief at the loss of a child. Full of heart, full of impact. 

‘Hare’ is a close second. 

One More Thing…
Throughout the book, Helen has added quotes about the elements. These markers help adjust the reader to a different state before moving to the next. I found the quote by Tony Robbins preceding the ‘Fire’ section and the initial piece ‘Lovelight’ heightened the emotional aspect.

Read more about Helen’s other poetry at https://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/marbleintocloud. 

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s lined up for my book bag next week;

  • Title: Toccata and Fugue with Harp
  • Author: Margaret Royall

For Remembrance Sunday, I wrote a small poem called ‘War Memorial’. Find it here: War Memorial

That’s it for this week’s reading roundup! If you’ve read any of the books I’m sharing or have recommendations for what poetry I should be reading, drop a comment below. 

Take it easy

Paul