Earlier this year, I experimented with a rhymed cadralor. This idea has interested me for a while, as I wasn't sure it could be done successfully, especially with the contextual dissonance required between stanzas. However, I sent it off to the editorial board at Gleam - Journal of the Cadralor, and they said "yes"! Thanks... Continue Reading →
Crossing and Recrossing the Tyne
With just one week to go until the launch of my new poetry pamphlet, To Catch a Poem, I would like to dedicate this final reading to my partner, in life and in rhyme, Nick Reeves, without whom there would be no EIF. Thank you for believing in me from the very beginning, Nick! https://youtu.be/3PD0mvjLX9g... Continue Reading →
COP 28 (The Sultan’s Got His Hat On)
The Sultan's got his hat on,(Hip-hip-hip, hooray!)his presidential hat onat the conference today And we've all got the gas onthat's how it's going to stayit's freezing here, but have no fearthe heat is on its way... If all developed nationscan have their wicked waythey'll get the poorer nations hooked on oil and gas - hooray! There's... Continue Reading →
Like Fire
Like fireLike flame Like waterLike breathing Like faithLike hopeLikeSomething to believe in Like ashLike rubbleLikeRuins of a city Like slaughter Like laughterLikeDrowning, absolutely Cease fireCease firePleaseEvacuate civilians This ireLike fireHas alreadyMurdered millions
The Howling
The children to feed;all the bills still to payand the howling. The emails to answerthe things I should sayand the howling. "Remember tomorrowforget yesterday"says the howling: "You carry such sorrow?Then give it awayto the howling." Wind, sound, surrenderthe trees' dreadful swayto the howling Whisper, "Wake with the soundof a pure poetry"called the howling. With thanks... Continue Reading →
Word Rich, Cash Poor
Word rich, cash poor: some kind of way to live,don’t want that mental load weighing me down;to feel I have a world of wealth to give,yet possess little I might call my own. A whisper in the heart blooms on the lipsand greets the air in unforced exhalation, inspires the hand to flex the fingertipsin Hallelujah... Continue Reading →
Advance Review of ‘All Grown Up Now’
With three weeks to go until the release of Kim M. Russell's poetry pamphlet, All Grown Up Now, I bring you an advance review from Freya Pickard, author of The Kaerling. "A landscape of scents""Kim M Russell has a distinctive voice in this auto-biographical collection of poems. What struck me most were the olfactory descriptions... Continue Reading →
Free Verse Revolution Issue X Out Now!
Congratulations to editor Kristiana on the publication of Issue X of Free Verse Revolution, Oleander. It is an honour to have my poem, The Distaff Side, included in this issue. I am in the company of many talented authors, and the issue looks absolutely beautiful, as always. It is available as a digital download, or... Continue Reading →
Praise for ‘In The Shadow of Rainbows’ & further Publishing News!
With only two weeks to go until launch, praise for Selma Martin's debut poetry collection has been coming in thick and fast. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed and proofread the book in advance of publication. Thank you also to photographer Kathryn A. Leroy for the beautiful cover photograph. Selma has noted that, with... Continue Reading →
Cover Reveal: In The Shadow of Rainbows by Selma Martin
As I have said before, the presses at EIF barely stand still, and, hot on the heels of Re-create & Celebrate by Cindy Georgakas comes the debut poetry collection from Selma Martin, In The Shadow of Rainbows. About The Author Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of teaching children ESL. She... Continue Reading →