“Demolition”

I really liked Neil Rollinson’s collection, “Demolition”. Across a variety of subject matter there was something in his tone and voice which certainly resonated with me.

“Away with the Mixer” is a wonderful poem exploring the death of a parent who has suffered from dementia; and the way it handles the aftermath – raw and honest – is moving. One of the best poems on the subject I’ve read.

Rollinson won’t be for everyone, of course. There is a subtle irreverence here and there I think which may nag at people when he trespasses onto their favourite subject – like nature or, indeed, death. But overall I found the poems to be mature, considered, and with a certain wisdom. I could imagine them being read to me in a dim corner of a pub while I stared at a pint – and then nodded afterwards…

Reading list