I wonder if that's what 'Life' does, getting in the way, forcing us to take our eyes off the ball, allowing us to forget what's important... In many respects it's also the easy option, isn't it? A kind of abdication. Knowing what matters to us, believing in it, keeping the faith - all of that … Continue reading Rediscovering what’s important?
Category: Poetry
“Solar Cruise”
Not for me, I'm afraid. I managed about a third of Claire Crowther's "Solar Cruise". Perhaps the subject - being so scientific - doesn't lend itself to poetry; but I'm sure it isn't just words like 'nucleus' or 'electron' which put the breaks on the poetic. The layout of some of the pieces - you … Continue reading “Solar Cruise”
“Road Trip”
Sometimes volumes of poetry that focus on a single theme or issue seem to sacrifice the quality of the writing in favour of 'the cause'. Marvin Thompson's "Road Trip" is rooted in both place - Wales - and subject - being black in an essentially white environment - and succeeds by never making that sacrifice. … Continue reading “Road Trip”
“Rendang”
In spite of myself I actually liked Will Harris' "Rendang". 'In spite of myself'? Well, there's a lot in this volume which I would challenge as being poetry; perhaps it's prose poetry at best. Yet there is much that is poetic (if that's not paradoxical), and the lyric quality of the pieces - thoughtful, reminiscence, … Continue reading “Rendang”
“Split”
If you asked me to find a single phrase to describe Juana Adcock's "Split" I confess I would struggle. 'It depends' seems such a lame response... But it does. It depends, for example, on whether I've just read "The Task of the Translator" or "The Overburden": one I liked, the second I did not. And … Continue reading “Split”
Radio Interview next week!
I am scheduled to be interviewed next week by the internet-based UK radio station, 'Chat and Spin'. They regularly interview writers, musicians, artists and the like, a ten-minute slot which gives you a chance to talk about your work. Looking forward to it - even if it is live and not pre-recorded! The slot is … Continue reading Radio Interview next week!
“Tangling with the Epic”
Kwame Dawes and John Kinsella's "Tangling with the Epic" is probably, above all, 'clever'. It is a dialogue between the two comprised entirely of Spenserian stanzas, batted backwards and forwards across a literary net. It is clever in the sense of its formulaic execution, of sticking to the brief. But for me it is also … Continue reading “Tangling with the Epic”
The Skip – a reading
A reading of my poem, "The Skip".
Sidings – a poem
Sidings they arc from sight with bizarre elegance an overgrown divergence designated to home the unwanted or the forgotten weeds climb rusting axles clogging memories of motion and birds flit in the eerie silence to reserve a first-class nesting site
Forthcoming Public Event!
Really looking forward to appearing on the panel of writers at this free event in Ripon Library on 14th March, being grilled about being a writer - and only having a minute to answer each question!
Ian Gouge - Writer 