Words of advice for all of us hoping to survive and thrive in the days ahead - thank you Chris! The Chrysalis Change. Shift yourself, grow dragon tail, sport feathers. Change. Inherit new ways of thinking, borrow sharp new teeth, gaze cautiously into the shadowy corners of your own capacity. Change. Learn to come back … Continue reading The Chrysalis by Chris Boyland
Tag: new poetry
The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
The language and imagery in this poem are beautiful - 'a harsh shout raw like mince' and 'breathless latchkey kid'. It's evocative of being a child and the man who's 'tall but hungry thin' is vividly described. The poem successfully puts us in a time and place with the single piece of dialogue and the … Continue reading The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
Change by Catherine Faulkner
This week we welcome the work of Scotland-based poet Catherine Faulkner. Chosen by guest editor Jess Green for our series on 'Difference & Defiance', Jess Says "I enjoy the power and the confidence of this poem with some beautiful lines and a rare effective use of alliteration - 'scattering it Samson strong' and 'cuticles and … Continue reading Change by Catherine Faulkner
Catholic Girl Ghazal by Rachel Burns
Welcome to the second of thirteen wonderful weeks in the company of poems selected by guest editor Jess Green, who says of this ghazal "The traditional structure of Catholic Girl Ghazal sits brilliantly alongside the references to Madonna both in pop culture and religion. The repetition creates a musicality which is echoed in the reference … Continue reading Catholic Girl Ghazal by Rachel Burns
Two poems by Neil Laurenson
We say thank you and goodbye to our guest editor Kinsman with their final selection of two comedic pieces by Neil Laurenson. For the first poem, they say "I enjoyed this poem because of its humour. As well as satirizing those that want to privatise the NHS, it is also an affectionate parody of the … Continue reading Two poems by Neil Laurenson
If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway by Moira Garland
"Whilst many people are now incensed by cruel changes to abortion law coming into effect in some states of America, Northern Ireland's policies are often overlooked. As citizens of the United Kingdom if we are appalled about America we should too be appalled about our own nation. This poem is a great reminder of that … Continue reading If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway by Moira Garland
Two poems by Michael Prihoda
Our guest editor, Amy Kinsman of Riggwelter magazine, says of this first poem that "Writing sparsely can often be more impactful than writing several pages on a topic. In this poem the silence speaks volumes because its entire subject is a failure of words. When speaking about sexual assault, the very act of saying anything … Continue reading Two poems by Michael Prihoda
Learning About The Holocaust by Jennifer Maloney
Content warning : gun violence, school shootings. This week's poem is a very powerful, very difficult read. It isn't graphic, but it is, in the words of our guest editor Amy Kinsman, "harrowing because it allows the victims to speak for themselves. The dead haunt the living, which is tragedy but also a kind of … Continue reading Learning About The Holocaust by Jennifer Maloney
Truth @powers by Isaac Stovell
Our guest editor, Amy Kinsman of Riggwelter magazine, says "Although this poetry is comical and has the quality of a nursery rhyme or a fable akin to the emperor's new clothes, this does make several serious points. Political protest has been historically and remains for many to be an incredibly dangerous act for which many … Continue reading Truth @powers by Isaac Stovell
J.B, a Checkout Operator meets Factory Girl, E.H.
The third selection by our guest editor Kinsman had a very direct appeal. They said "On a personal note, I live in Stalybridge which has historically been a centre of protest and campaigning for civil rights among workers. For me the most effective political protest draws upon our histories. This poem very much understands it … Continue reading J.B, a Checkout Operator meets Factory Girl, E.H.
Big Ben is Broken by Ian Badcoe
For this second selection, guest editor Kinsman says "Whilst this poem articulates how we all probably feel about politics in this country at the moment, it does so in a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek manner. More importantly, it reminds us that every small action in the face of political stagnation has ramifications within our communities. Opening a … Continue reading Big Ben is Broken by Ian Badcoe
Abdul Haroun Almost Medals At Dover by Claire Booker
Welcome to the first of ten poetry selections by our guest editor Kinsman. "This poem serves as a counter point to the media portrayal of those who come to this country seeking asylum, which often treats them as if they were some kind of invasive species rather than human beings. Often the act of physically … Continue reading Abdul Haroun Almost Medals At Dover by Claire Booker
Celebrating Change 