It’s been a while since I added poems to the website, currently most are shared on social media or sent out for submissions before posting on my site however that will change as I want to spend time on my website, to cultivate and maybe archive some of my older pieces. That will come in the winter months when my job isn’t so busy.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share two recent poems, from this week. National Poetry Day was on Thursday 2nd October and the theme this year was ‘play’. So i thought I’d partake and write a piece specifically for the day itself. I was already writing a different piece for the incredible weekly TopTweetTuesday poetry share on Twitter/X of the same theme, but using a ‘nonet’ nonetheless. If you’ve read much of my work, you’ll know I don’t do much writing in determined forms but I am always looking to improve my practise.
These are the two pieces which I’ve shared this week.
Poem 1: Written for TopTweetTuesday using ‘Play’ as the theme, with ‘nonet’ chosen for form.
Entertaining Brody
Claret-tip ivory arcing claws signifying his excitement— tongue barrel-rolls between barks, snout snozzleshifts in air, conker marble eyes dart to his ball, legs scramble. Wait. Wait. Fetch.
Poem 2: Written specifically for National Poetry Day 2025.
Breathless
Slightest drift of fingertips glance across pearl— seal with soft-stroke lips, press,
Can someone tell me how it is October already. Autumn colours arrived early this year and it seems like the nights are drawing in quicker each day. And with a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice to feature as part of The Book Bag: Poetic Voices.
This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and runs concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on pamphlets or collections I’ve read through the week.
This month, I am thrilled to announce that our Poetic Voice this month is the prize-winning, super-talented, Carson Wolfe.
Carson Wolfe is a Mancunian poet and Grand Prize Winner of The Disquiet Literary Program 2024. They will soon graduate with an MFA from The Manchester Writing School, and are currently finishing their first novel. Their poetry has appeared with Poetry Magazine, The Rumpus, The Common, and Rattle. Their new chapbook Coin Laundry at Midnight is forthcoming with Button Poetry in spring 2026.
I first read Carson’s work in The North and Northern Gravy and was blown away by their work, then I read more and more. Fast forward to now and I am so happy that Carson accepted my invitation.
I’ll be sharing a few pieces from Carson over the month. Kicking off with ‘While Wishing She Was Dancing To Kate Bush’ originally published in the Best New Poets Anthology 2024.
A little later than planned, here’s poem 2 from the exceptional Carson Wolfe. First appearing in POETRY Magazine July/August 2025, this is SILICON VALLEY, IN THE BACKSEAT OF A TESLA.
Here is the 3rd poem from Carson. Originally published in The Baltimore Review, this is ‘Strange Baby’.
STRANGE BABY
He locked his doors— the guy who braked
at my outstretched thumb. His name was Froggy. He drove
in the opposite direction to Georgetown,
is the temperature ok? he turned the radio dial,
what music do you like? A white crab
pearled in his headlights, he got out, knelt
on its shell. I could have run at that point,
but his car was air conditioned, I had nowhere
to be. He pulled a rope from his back pocket, turned
its pincers into its own face and bound them there.
I’ll cook you dinner, he said, and lumped the salted moon
onto my lap. It squirmed against my thighs,
this strange baby, looking to me for a mother.
I don’t eat animals, I said. It’s not an animal, he drove
on in the stink of rockpool fizz. The island only has
one road, I told myself we’d loop round eventually.
He pulled into a hotel, abandoned mid-construction.
Bare cement, windows gaping like mouths. I wouldn’t touch
the crab, was grateful when he tossed it
in the back. I stepped out into the evening shrill
of insects. Dizzied by the delicate racket
of wings rubbed together —he took out a knife
and cleared a path for me to reach a secret beach.
The sunset is pretty, like you, he said. Like me? I smiled.
Like you, he said, down on one knee.
To pre-order Carson’s forthcoming chapbook, you can do so here. I can’t wait for its release. An early birthday present to me from me!
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
What a week. Work has been non-stop. The days have been rolling into each other, and I wake up thinking it’s the wrong day! I did relax watching Newcastle progress in the League Cup this week too. Hopefully we can be back to back winners. Fingers crossed. Another good thing that happened was speaking to Matthew Smith live from my back garden.
The weather hasn’t been great. However, a break meant last Sunday started with a trip to the allotment to plant some garlic and herbs. Also, I dug out a fruit cage which was hard work plus the radishes we planted a couple of weeks ago are showing good signs of growth. I got over on Saturday too and covered some ground with woodchip. We also planned next steps and focus as we want to prepare for spring planting before the winter frosts.
On the poetry front, I’ve submitted two pieces, added a micro review to Pascale Petit’s Poetic Voice feature and shared the first date for The Book Bag: Open Mic Sessions, with spaces starting to be taken up. The first session will take place on Sunday 9th November at 7pm via zoom. I was also in the audience of the Winged Moon’s online launch of Biophilia which was top class excellent readings. I must mention Jai Michelle’s passion for The Winged Moon, it really shone through when discussing the project.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
Cover Art “Daughter of the Moon” by Swapna Maini
Drench Me In Silver
Poet: Saraswati Nagpal
Press: Black Bough Poetry
I first encountered Saraswati’s poetry on TopTweetTuesday and was captivated by her beautiful language and consistent considered pieces. Then, I heard Saraswati read at a Black Bough zoom open mic, and found her reading to be even more captivating, almost hypnotic. If you have the chance to hear Saraswati read, take it.
Drench Me in Silver is Saraswati’s debut collection and has been nominated for both the Forward Prize and the Tagore Prize by Black Bough Poetry. The book is separated into sections relating to rain. Staring with Memories of Rain going through to Petrichor.
One of Saraswati’s major strengths is her ability to weave passion and sensuousness into her pieces that the reader becomes invested quickly. Poems including ‘Drench Me In Silver’ and ‘Cape Winters’ feel sumptuous and luxurious. As does the poem ‘Night’s Lapis Dome’ . I mentioned that poem during my conversation with Matthew Smith, it stayed with me.
As someone who has read continuously read work by Saraswati almost weekly via the magnificent poetry jamboree, TopTweetTuesday, it is no surprise that emotion underpins a lot of the pieces in a clever, layered way. ‘Toward Joy’, ‘Intezaar’ and ‘Sawaan Serenade’ are perfect displays of this. One piece that stands out is ‘Of Whales and Love’. If you’ve read my Book Bag entry on Helen Laycock’s Elemental, you will know I have a soft spot for whale poetry.
Fans of mythology are well catered for. ‘Persephone’s Lament’, ‘Women In Myths Are Tumbling Out Of My Closet’, ‘Forge’ and are all superb poems. ‘Orison For The Lost’ is another marvel discussing mythology with terrific imagery and language choices. You will notice in the collection that Saraswati has a great understanding of different pantheons and figureheads.
The importance of place is a constant theme throughout. ‘Daughter of Sindh’ is an incredible piece that discusses the usurping of heritage and lands Mountbatten and his role as the Last Viceroy but also the intimate personal repercussions and consequences following the aftermath felt by Saraswati and her family. ‘Dusk by Ganga’ is a lyrical piece that is soft and filled with hope. I must mention the sound patterning from the recurring r’s at the opening of the piece. They add a wonderful cadence to the poem. ‘Beside a Rose-Merchant, Kashmir’ is a tender piece that immerses you in a Kashmir market with sensory delight.
Form and space are played with throughout the book. We have the powerful tercet ‘Descendant’. ‘Songs of Chaos’ plays with the space on the page focusing on the precise wording. We have ‘after poetry’ including the lush ‘Prayer for Monsoon’. Another thing to add is Saraswati’s approach to free verse. It is expert as is her precise, beautiful language.
This collection will appeal to readers who want poetry with deep connections, immaculate language and vivid imagery. Appreciators of mythology will love this book. This is poetry that embraces you and guides you through time and place, the kind you want to get lost in a while and linger. I’ll be buying another copy as a present for somebody for Christmas.
Favourite Poem:
I’ve already mentioned ‘Daughter of Sindh’ and ‘Of Whales and Love’. There are so many to choose from, but I will stick to another handful as I write this. ‘Hero’, ‘Denouement in Citrine’, ‘Last Daughter’, ‘Spear-child’ and ‘Night Wanderers’. Oh, I’ll also mention ‘Diwali’s Velvety Nights’ and ‘Night’s Lapis Dome’ .
And what would The Book Bag be without a playlist. So here is a mix to listen to while reading a beautiful collection.
Anuv Jain – Mishri Dream Note – Waqt Ki Baatein When Chai Met Toast – Ocean Tide Mali – Horoscope Maren Morris – The Bones Billie Myers – Kiss The Rain Eurythmics – Here Comes The Rain Again Planetopia – Catch and Release Anumita Nadesan – Khwaab Bombay Jayashiri – Zara Zara Anoushka Shankar – Beloved Tyrone Wells – Days I Will Remember
Before I Go…
I said at the start, if you get the chance to hear Saraswati reading, take it… Well, Saraswati and Black Bough are holding an online launch for Drench Me In Silver on Sunday 5th October. Tickets & Details here.
One More Thing…
I mentioned sharing the details of The Book Bag: Open Mic Sessions. Join me for an evening of sharing polished gems and roughcut coals in a supportive environment. Details and tickets can be found here.
And Another…
It’s almost the end of September. On Wednesday, The Book Bag: Poetic Voice for October will be unveiled. Another exceptional talent and award-winner…
While you wait, why not check out Pascale’s September feature here which now has a playlist and micro-review of Beast.
And Finally…
It’s National Poetry Day this week. This year the theme is ‘play’. I’ll be sharing a poem on Thursday on social media in response. Are you planning on participating in National Poetry Day? Let me know in the comments.
Next Week’s Read
Title: Why I Wear My Past To Work
Poet: Chris Campbell
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
Does anybody else feel the weeks are getting busier? Work is at its peak currently and I’m loving overcoming the challenges it’s presenting. Unfortunately, because the of the weather I haven’t been able to get to the allotment, however I have been able to relax to some incredible jazz and soul and the playlist further down the page, I even dabbled with my sax a little. Newcastle were unlucky not to get a point from the Barcelona game but it was Barcelona. Poetry-wise I’ve drafted some pieces, done some editing, started a submission piece and decided to host an open mic. More details on the open mic coming soon.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
This Wilderness & Other Concerns
Poet: Martin Kennedy Yates
Press: Broken Spine Arts
Martin Kennedy Yates blew my mind at an open mic the first time I heard his reading of a Scousenlish poem, I became a big fan immediately. That was a while ago and I’ve kept up with his writing ever since. When he was announced as the winner of Broken Spine Art’s collection contest I was on tenterhooks for his debut release. And here we are. This Wilderness & Other Concerns is a book that showcases Martin’s ability, knowledge and interests outstandingly. The sections are This Wilderness which is a response to The Wasteland a hundred years on, Other Concerns which take a view on place to politics and, Scousenlish.
Martin is deft at peeling back the mirage of city life revealing and exploring what lies beneath, both the dark and the funny of which there is plenty in in this book. This is portrayed in the opening poem ‘A Time For Dying’ where we are taken on a tour of the city and bump into Kevin King Carpet-fitter of Kidderminster and his passion for Caliban. This continues in ‘All The World’s A Stage’ and throughout the collection.
One of Martin’s strengths is his knowledge of and use of language to expand the poem from the page into immersive imagery that you can cling to. ‘/Pylon\ Shed’ is a terrific poem of sketching out a memory on to page for readers to share in the scene through multi-sensory detail. Another piece ‘Fabric’, compares contrasting scenes immensely.
Emotion is etched into the poems in this book on a wide spectrum. ‘Overheard On The Wind’ is a tour de force in emotive poetry where the reader is treated to a whole host of feelings across the pages. I was breathless after reading it and was an incredible closing poem to section one. ‘Martyr’ is a fantastic compact piece that teems with bite.
I’ve spoken about Martin’s use of language above, however, I must give a second shoutout for the full Scousenlish (described as Martin’s alter ego) section of the book which inspired by Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Read it aloud with measured cadence and the understanding of the words will fall seamlessly in your mind.
So I’ve talked about language twice. Martin is also a master of shaping and use of space to focus the reader on the message and narrative of his poetry. ‘The Murmurations’ is (one of my favourite pieces) an excellent display of the use of space and shaping to focus the reader but also give movement to the poem.
This is a book with broad appeal. Incredible language, wonderful imagery and an emotional undercurrent flow like the river through the city. Readers who want a modern take on The Wasteland will love this book. This is a collection that will make you pause and reflect throughout. A tremendous debut, I look forward to seeing what Martin does next. Buy it now, it will make a great literary Christmas gift.
Favourite Poem: I’ve already mentioned The Murmurations. Let’s add another five if I use the entire ‘Scousenlish’ section to count as one. Then there’s ‘Pathos’, ‘Hope’’, ‘Drowned Rats and Sinking Ships’ and ‘Devotee’.
Buy This Wilderness & Other Concerns here or reach out to Martin on on social media to buy a signed copy direct which comes with a bookmark containing a bonus poem which is what I did.
Want a playlist to read along to? Well here’s an eclectic selection to accompany the book;
The Who – My Generation Black Sabbath – Paranoid Beverley Knight – Greatest Day UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love Kelly & Ozzy Osbourne – Changes Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf The Streets – Has It Come To This? Vivaldi – L’Inverno Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen The Moody Blues – I’m Just A Singer Boney M – Rivers of Babylon Blur – This Is A Low
Before I Go…
Have you read Pascale Petit’s feature yet? Read it here and keep your eyes peeled for a mini review of Beast in this coming week.
One More Thing…
The Winged Moon are hosting an online launch for Biophilia on Friday 26 September 2025 at 6pm (UK time). The lineup looks incredible. Email thewingedmoonmagazine@gmail.com to grab a ticket.
And Another…
Broken Spine Arts have launched a new initiative being spearheaded by Karen Pierce Gonzalez ( Author of Down River With Li Po) called #NotJustPretty and kicks off with a 90 minute literary open mic and showcase aimed at amplifying women’s voices. Details of the initiative can be found here.
And Finally…
Marcelle Newbold shared details of a competition she is co-judging on Instagram this week with some excellent prizes on offer. Walking ‘In The Dark’ closes on Monday 20th October 2025. Details here.
Next Week’s Read
Title: Drench Me In Silver
Poet: Saraswati Nagpal
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
I’ve had an incredibly busy week. Work is constant now but that’s what I like. I feel satisfied every day when I’m finished because I know I’ve worked hard and contributed to the team and company.
I attended an excellent open mic last Sunday evening, you can read about it here, on Friday I read at the launch of Chris Campbell’s new book ‘Why I Wear My Past To Work’ which I feel truly grateful to have been invited to take part. Somehow, I wrote a couple of good pieces too (in my opinion anyway).
At the allotment, preparing for winter in full flow. We had a ton of compost delivered on Saturday. Getting it from the drop off bay, into wheelbarrows then to our plot was exhausting.
Husband Material Vol II: Twenty-Seven Addresses is my first time reading D.L. ‘Dan’ Husband in a collection. He featured on the same episode of BBC Upload with me hosted by the fantastic Emma Millen. I’ve watched his Instagram of performances of spoken word at fringe events and elsewhere. I also checked out some of his published work online and I’m a fan. It’s always great to share work from Northeast poets. Let’s jump into the collection.
There is power in Dan’s poems, sometimes understated and restrained sometimes unflinching. The pieces ‘Demolition Man’ and ‘Reaper Man’ are two examples of how to add impact but in various ways. I must also mention the title poem from the collection ‘Twenty-Seven Addresses’ which is a hybrid of prose and sequence that feels like a worthwhile mandate. I relate to this piece in so many ways and is one of my favourite pieces.
Every piece in this collection teems with emotion. It deals with key themes that working-class men deal with daily: , identity, challenging stereotypes and perceptions, personal struggles with addiction and standing out from the crowd you belong to. ‘Buffet’ is a terrific example of this and uses visual spacing that mimics the movement he describes. ‘Give A What?’ is a direct address to the reader and pulls no punches. This is meaningful poetry.
I like pop culture references in poetry when they make sense which is something Dan uses, keeping the work relatable. In ‘Ghostbusters’ we are treated to a cameo from Gozer, Venkman and Spengler. In ‘3D Printed Dinosaur Bones’, Mothra and Godzilla make an appearance. One thing he doesn’t do is use a reference for the sake of it or overuse.
Imagery weaves its way through the collection. This is demonstrated in ‘The Moon Watches On’ where we are hurtled through space and time to understand what the moon has observed since it came into being.
Dan’s skill in spoken word composition is evident in the rhyming patterns and structured shifts in the pieces. Read them aloud. Another key detail is the intricate and clever wordplay he uses. The piece ‘Blameless Blaggard’ is a great demonstration of this.
This is a collection for poetry fans who want to be confronted with truth, sometimes brutal. Fans of spoken word, clever wordplay and rhyme will enjoy this book. Readers who want to explore recovery through words, this will appeal to you. A deep, dark intimate book. I’ll be grabbing a copy of volume I very soon.
To buy Husband Material Vol II: Twenty-Seven Addresses, click here.
Favourite Poem:
This week I’ll go for five. I’ve already mentioned ‘Twenty-Seven Addresses’ but the following four have also stuck in my head. ‘Border War’, ‘The Old Beast’, ‘Fairy Trials’ and ‘Ananke’.
Oh, and here’s this week’s playlist, you didn’t think I’d forget:
Little Roy – Lithium Massive Attack – Teardrop Oasis – Cigarettes and Alcohol Maximo Park – Risk to Exist Eels – Novocaine For The Soul Tom Petty – Free Fallin’ Underworld – Born Slippy Fatboy Slim – Weapon Of Choice Sam Fender – Play God Robbie Williams – Better Man
Before I Go…
Did you catch the details of The Book Bag X Write Here, Right Now submission window and guidelines? A terrific chance to get published and potentially be nominated for awards including BOTN, Pushcart & Forward. Details here.
One More Thing…
Alan Parry will be on hosting duties for another Broken Spine Arts ‘Write The Night’ workshop on 28 September 2025. I have attended this in the past and found it extremely useful and highly recommend it. Details here.
And Another…
If you’ve been following The Book Bag for a while, you will know that I am a massive fan of Helen Laycock. She is this month’s poet on Black Bough’s Silver Branch feature. Read it here.
And Finally…
Have you had chance to catch up with this month’s Poetic Voice? Pascale Petit has shared a piece from Beast. Keep an eye on social media for a further addition to the feature…
Next Week’s Read
Title: This Wilderness & Other Concerns
Poet: Martin Kennedy Yates
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Well here we are in September. And with a new month, comes a new Poetic Voice to feature as part of The Book Bag: Poetic Voices. This feature aims to platform and showcase exemplary work from writers I admire across the poetic landscape and runs concurrently with the regular weekly episodes of The Book Bag where I’ll still be sharing thoughts on pamphlets or collections I’ve read through the week.
And this month, I am amazed to announce the Poetic Voice is the exceptionally talented prize-winning poet, someone I’ve read since starting my poetry journey, Pascale Petit.
Credit: Derrick Kakembo
Pascale Petit was born in Paris and lives in Cornwall. She has published nine poetry collections, four of which were shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Her ninth, Beast, published by Bloodaxe Books in 2025, is a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. Her eighth, Tiger Girl (Bloodaxe, 2020), was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, and for Wales Book of the Year. Her seventh, Mama Amazonica (Bloodaxe, 2017), won the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the inaugural Laurel Prize for eco-poetry and was the Poetry Book Society Choice. Her debut novel, My Hummingbird Father, was published by Salt in 2024.
This month, I am sharing the below piece from Pascale’s latest collection ‘Beast’, available here from Bloodaxe Books. This is ‘The Lammergeier Daughter’.
Beast Micro Book Bag Review
As part of this month’s feature, I’ve written a micro review of Pascale’s collection.
The collection explores a range of emotions and experiences through beasts in various environments and forms. With such range comes an expanse of vivid surreal imagery that lifts itself from the page. The book deals with trauma with defiance and resilience acting as counterpoints.
It should come as no surprise that the language throughout the collection is precise and rich. Form varies from prose in ‘The Tala Zone’ of the book to the use of space in ‘Ode To Causse Méjean With Takhi Horses’ to the couplet form in ‘Papa Guêpier’.
As well as ‘The Lammergeier Daughter’ other poems including ‘Butcherbirds’, ‘Swallows’, ‘Vial’, ‘Roebuck’ and ‘Pale-winged Trumpeters’ are among my favourites. I could list at least 10 more.
Beast is an exquisite collection and is in my top five books, I’ve read this year.
Regular readers will know that The Book Bag shares a playlist for the weekly entry, so I thought I’d add an eclectic one here also…. Charlie Parker – Koko George Benson – Everything Must Change Florence And The Machine – Dog Days Are Over John Coltrane – Giant Steps Louis Armstrong – Snake Rag Stravinsky – The Rite Of Spring Oliver Nelson – Ain’t A Thing Johnny Cash – The Beast In Me Kings Of Leon – Closer Imagine Dragons- Radioactive
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
This week has been a busy one especially at work with the release of exam results. At home I’ve submitted a couple of pieces (got an acceptance which set me up for a great day on Thursday), worked on my own writing, enjoyed the sunshine and took a trip to an excellent charity bookshop. In the kitchen I made a chocolate and raspberry mousse which was delightfully light. Also, I brunched at Etto Gosforth (Sourdough French Toast with Maple and Bacon for me with a Latte) and welcomed back the Premier League Season and Fantasy Football.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
Welcome To The Museum Of A Life
Poet: Sue Finch
Press: Black Eyes Publishing UK
First off, I’ll say I’m a fan of Sue Finch and we interact regularly on weekly prompts notably on TopTweetTuesday. Her shadow photos with dandelions as eyes are always good to see and uplifting.
Welcome To The Museum Of A Life is in sections as a gallery would be. Readers enter through the Foyer, exiting the collection via the Gift Shop as is proper in many museums. So without further ado, lets not get tangled in the entry gates and get on our way…
One of Sue’s main strengths in poetry is her ability to weave emotion and authenticity throughout her work. Poems including ‘Tuesday Night’ and ‘Silence’ display this incredibly well. I loved the poem ‘Peacock’ for its transition of emotion from amused observer to caring participant by the end. ‘When I am Gone’, one of the collection’s final pieces made me smile and tear up. ‘That Coin’ made me smile again and kept me smiling because of how purely and real falling in love is described.
Another skill that is showcased throughout is imagery. ‘My Hybrid Heart’, ‘When I Saw Jesus In A Tomato’ and ‘An Apple For My Mum’ are all prime examples of how to establish a scene that can feel so familiar and recognisable that you think this poem gets me and I get this poem.
Sue is deft at surrealist poetry too. The piece ‘I Hate You’ opens with an interaction between narrator and cow, a heron and an unknown bird. One of my favourite pieces ‘A Pelican Is Dancing On The Patio’ explores perception incredibly. ‘I’ve Nothing To Offer The White Horse In The Dream’ feels like a reckoning and I flinched on reading (I do have a slight fear of horses).
I’ve already discussed the book being divided into galleries. Another point to mention is that the galleries are varied in their themes and as in any good museum, a list of curated exhibits are introduced before you step in. Keep an eye out for the ‘Museum Of A Life: The Unexhibited’ which takes us behind the no entry signs to see what could be rotated in.
This curated collection will appeal to readers who enjoy their poetry underpinned by vivid imagery and honest emotion. Fans of surrealism and dreamscapes will enjoy this book. If you like visiting museums, you’ll love this book. I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the exhibits and my gift shop budget is too small to buy all the trinkets I’d like. Definitely one of the best museums I’ve visited.
To read more about Sue, click here or here which is Sue’s Silver Branch feature on Black Bough Poetry where you can read some of her work.
To buy Welcome To The Museum Of A Life, click here.
Favourite Poem:
There are a few to choose from this week so I’ll go for seven! In no particular order, as I am writing I’ll go for; ‘A Pelican Is Dancing On The Patio’, ‘When I Am Gone’, ‘That Coin’, ‘Invitation’, ‘I Don’t Know’, ‘Digging That Hole’ and ‘Rescuing The Giraffe.
And finally, here’s an eclectic playlist nobody asked for, but everyone secretly wanted:
Museum of Light – Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel & Slava Grigoryan Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics Museum – Donovan National Gallery – Paul Weller Andy Warhol – David Bowie Mona Lisa’s & Mad Hatters – Elton John Dreams – Fleetwood Mac The Gallery – Joni Mitchell Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – The Beatles Pictures of Lily – The Who
Before I Go…
A few weeks in The Book Bag I mentioned that I had been asked to read some work at a launch. Well on 12th September that Launch is happening online for Chris Camplbell’s new book from Parlyaree Press ‘Why I Wear My Past To Work’. For more information and booking details, click here.
One More Thing…
Keep an eye out for another list of Rishi Dastidar’s hobbies being added to his feature in The Book Bag: Poetic Voices. Catch up here.
And Another…
Broke Spine continue to do good things on Bluesky. A new project they are launching on Wednesdays is for works in progress. Check their Bluesky for more details and to get involved.
And Another…
Wee Sparrow Poetry Press are hosting a free online haiku workshop with the President of The British Haiku Society Ilyana Stoyanova on September 7th between 5 & 7pm UK Time via zoom. Email theweesparrowpoetrypress@gmail.com to book.
And Finally…
Just a reminder that your weekly dive into The Book Bag will return on 7th September. September’s Poetic voice will still arrive on the 1st.
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
This week has been busy with editing, submissions, August’s Poetic Voice feature being launched, the remarkable Rishi Dastidar. I also had one of the loveliest rejection letters I’ve ever had (although I did make the shortlist for consideration which is an achievement in itself). At home we celebrated Brody’s 2nd Birthday – he enjoyed his salmon lunch! We also took a trip to Stanton Gardens and Nursery, Bide-A-Wee Garden near Morpeth and the tremendous Fieldhead Farm to pick wildflowers. We also had some time to relax and harvest the last of the new potatoes that we enjoyed with some tapas.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
The Oasis
Poet: Charles Lang
Press: Skein Press
I picked up my copy of The Oasis at the Len Pennie event at Jesmond Library a couple of weeks ago – the Poetry Book Society was selling several titles and I went for this – ( I have a connection to the city it’s based in. My maternal Grandfather and his family were originally from Glasgow where this is set). So let’s dive in, also the playlist has returned…
One of Charles Lang’s great strengths is his humour. The opening piece ‘The Chase’ had me reliving my youth, laughing at myself through the poem. ‘Stickers’ had me laughing too, such an authentic poem – I once completed a panini album apart from a handful of stickers in a hospital bed when I was about 12. The use of Glaswegian dialect reinforces the humour especially when reading out loud and realising that your Scot’s accent needs more work.
Glasgow is a city much like Newcastle; built on the backs of working-class families. A key theme throughout is that of strength of character and resilience in the face of challenges. ‘Glasgow Sonnets’, a sequence of sonnets paints the city with respect and authenticity. The collection’s title poem ‘The Oasis’ spotlights the sense of community which is present in the majority of working-class cities. Then in ‘Disturbia’ we are treated to the grit of a city at night.
A theme that’s explored terrifically well is masculinity, a subject that is multi-faceted especially against the backdrop of a working-class culture. Pieces including ‘Boys’ and ‘Darts’ showcase this greatly. Again, the use of dialect adds texture and dimensions to the poetry.
Imagery throughout the collection is vivid. In the poems ‘Spring’ and ‘Helen’s Bay’ familiar scenery unfolds quickly. ‘The Sabbath’ is a snapshot of a poem and is similar to a relaxing Sunday routine at The Book Bag HQ. ‘In Death of A Field’, I felt a pang of nostalgia for the ‘Rec’ me and my friends used to explore daily.
In terms of form and space, they are used in a variety of ways throughout the collection. ‘Thistles’ is a prime example, which takes over a number of pages. Much like a thistle patch taking over land. Another piece ‘A Mess’ is the same poem presented in three different ways, each with a different emphasis in the voice of the narrator.
This book will appeal to people who appreciate themes of identity, masculinity, belonging, class, city life and vivid imagery. For people who appreciate form and style, this book will appeal. For those who love dialect poetry, this will appeal. It sits comfortably in my top 10 from the year so far.
Favourite Poem:
I’ll stick to five this week but it could very well be the whole collection. ‘Lily’, ‘Nightclub’, ‘Scaffolding’, ‘The Oasis’ and ‘Birds’.
And here’s a playlist nobody asked for but everyone really wanted;
Gerry Cinnamon – Belter Amy MacDonald – This Is The Life Lewis Capaldi – Wish You The Best Chvrches – Over Simple Minds – Don’t You Travis – Flowers In The Window Deacon Blue – Dignity Texas – Black Eyed Boy Primal Scream – Rocks
One More Thing…
There’s still tickets available for the launch of Beautiful Little Fools on Tuesday 5th August 2025. Grab them here.
And Another…
Last week I mentioned the new substack ‘We Are The Choir; Poetry of Witness’. This week one of my pieces will be featuring. ‘Non-Hazardous Product’ is a poem on the destruction of a river and the commodification of water.
And Another…
Full House Literary are open for Submissions from 1 August to 20th August 2025. Details here.
And Finally…
The Black Cat Poetry Press have a competition with the theme ‘Turning Points’ open until 30th September 2025. The brief is broad, more details here.
Next Week’s Read
Title: Vanishing Point
Poet: Colin Bancroft
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Welcome to the second 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.
This month, I am delighted to share this writer’s work. Someone who I have enjoyed following since I began writing poetry (‘The Craft’ was one of the first books I read to help my style and approach), I am delighted to announce that the featured poetic voice for August 2025 is … Rishi Dastidar.
Credit: Naomi Woodis
Rishi Dastidar’s poetry has been published by the Financial Times, New Scientist and the BBC, amongst many others. His third collection, Neptune’s Projects (Nine Arches Press), was longlisted for the Laurel Prize, and a poem from it was included in The Forward Book of Poetry 2024. He is also editor of The Craft: A Guide to Making Poetry Happen in the 21st Century (Nine Arches Press), and co-editor of Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different: Poems from Malika’s Poetry Kitchen (Corsair). He reviews poetry for The Guardian and is chair of Wasafiri. His latest publication is A hobby of mine (Broken Sleep Books).
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing pages from Rishi’s latest book ‘A Hobby Of Mine’ available from Broken Sleep here. Our first instalment is from page 9.
The next instalment of Rishi’s hobbies will be added on August 10th 2025.
Here we are as promised, taking in some more of Rishi’s hobbies from his book A Hobby Of Mine. You can find more on Rishi at his website here which includes links to his socials including Instagram, which is consistently great to follow. Without further ado….
So here I am a day late (due to technical issues) to share a third list of Rishi’s hobbies as part of this months Poetic Voice from his latest collection ‘A Hobby Of Mine’ available from Broken Sleep here. This list comes from page 37.
I have laughed so hard at some of these hobbies that ‘a hobby of mine’ is reading Rishi’s book and pointing out similar hobbies! Thanks Rishi!
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
I’ve had a slower week this week. Shared a video of me reading one of my poems on social media, visited the Northern Poetry Library on Monday, sent some submissions off and spent some time on my my own writing. On Saturday evening I was able to see some incredible poetry at Louis Longson’s last Saturday of the month poetry readings. Also I went out for lunch with my team from work to a great Asian place.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
Black Skies Die Starless
Poet: Jamie Woods
Press: Punk Dust Poetry
Black Skies Die Starless is a pamphlet that I became aware of on a recent Black Bough open mic when Jamie read a couple of pieces. This week there’s no playlist from me, instead, the collection has suggested listening. Some class tracks in there too. Lets jump in…
One of Jamie Woods’s best strengths is the weaving of pop-culture references throughout his work that is more than just surface-level soundbite. Pieces including ‘The 90S’ and ‘are the perfect examples of this. In fact, the poem ‘The Perpetual Illusion of Progress’ stands out for its sharp, smart observations of 90s culture. Thankfully things do seem to have moved on. The piece ‘I’ve Found God In Seattle’ is a clever piece on irony and perception.
Another strength is emotional honesty and depth. The grief poem ‘Sleep’ is heart-wrenching with a sucker punch of a closing line. The poem ‘Wednesday Afternoons Bromley HighStreet’ is intimate as we peer into a therapy room. Blame culture is displayed perfectly here through interaction and steps to self-actualisation also shown. The pivots are placed perfectly. ‘The Opposite of Spring’ is a terrifically crafted poem rich with contrast.
Vivid imagery runs throughout the collection. From the underbelly of the parks doing substances in the piece ‘Swinging’ to racing the streets in ‘Beat-Up Micra’ and the longing to escape in ‘Swansea Sound’ these poems were resonant, and I could picture these in Northumberland mining towns I grew up in.
Throughout the book, readers are treated to a variety of different forms and styles. The prose poem ‘Through Neon Half-Lights’ was a very clever choice as it gives a rounded feel to the piece. Then in ‘You And No-One Else’ the use of separators is a great representation of the message being conveyed and interacts with the piece.
Another thing to mention is the interspersal of graphics throughout the book. The paparazzi piece was a stop and reflect moment but for a completely different reason because while that event was happening, another horrific event was happening closer to home.
Favourite Poem:
More than a few to choose from so let’s settle on five just from what I’ve been thinking of today: Through Neon Half-Lights, Manic Pixie Dream Boy, (Atrophia), On Mount Horeb, and Heaven 17.
Black Skies Die Starless will appeal to readers who want to revisit the nostalgia of the 90s through a different gaze, fans of poetic authenticity and admirers of sharp observational poetry. A masterful collection and so glad I encountered Jamie reading this at the recent Black Bough open mic.
Learn more about Jamie Woods and access the playlist that accompanies the book, here.
Buy Black Skies Die Starless here (I got a bookmark and a couple of pin badges in my delivery, excellent poetry merch). All proceeds go to Leukaemia Care UK. Jamie is their poet-in-residence.
One More Thing…
An important new platform has launched on Substack. We Are The Chorus: Poetry of Witness is a new collaborative project that aims to share poems of protest and witness, and to encourage discussion, inquiry, and action around these themes. There will be an initial gallery of 12 with 1-2 poems shared weekly followed by a pause to allow reflection and to encourage further conversation.
And Another…
There is still time to enter the Katrina Collins Poetry Prize which closes on 1st August 2025 for Best Single Poem. See full details of the prize dedicated to Katrina Collins, mum of the exceptionally kind and ultra talented Briony Collins who is EIC of Atomic Bohemian, here.
And Finally…
Less than a week to go until the Poetic Voice for August is released on The Book Bag. Alarms should be set for noon on Friday 1st August.
Next Week’s Read
Title: The Oasis
Poet: Charles Lang
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Paul Writes Poems 