Happy New Year...
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| Candlestick Press 2021 My thanks to the lovely people at Candlestick press for my copy of this pamphlet |
This poetic version of this much-loved companion features a beautiful poem for each month of the year – from the forward/backward-looking days of early January to the darkness of “the year’s husk” in December.
There’s plenty of weather, of course, alongside poems that take stock of the world from indoors: from a stair beneath a window or a bedroom full of sunlight. We also find ourselves in a city street and on a high-rise balcony where birds arrive to forage for crumbs.
Everywhere we find a sense that days, months and seasons are to be noticed and relished, whether they bring with them peace or drama:
“The days go out with shouting; nights are loud;
Wild, warring shapes the wood lifts in the cold;
The moon’s a sword of keen, barbaric gold,
Plunged to the hilt into a pitch black cloud.”
from ‘Mid-March’ by Lizette Woodworth Reese
Poems by John Clare, Tony Curtis, Tishani Doshi, Helen Dunmore, Jenny King, Norman MacCaig, Lisel Mueller, Justin Quinn, Lizette Woodworth Reese, Arthur Symons, Sara Teasdale and Derek Walcott.
Cover illustration by Clare Curtis.
📖 My thoughts...
I can think of no better way to start a new year of blogging than to share one of the wonderful poetry pamphlets which the lovely people at Candlestick Press create so lovingly.
Almanac: Twelve Poems for 2022 gets the year off to a wonderful start with a selection of poems which take us through the year; from the dark days of winter, to the promise of spring, sharing the warmth of summer and the crisp, cool feel of autumn. Each of the selected poems bring something fresh, new and vibrant to the collection, some by recognised poets - John Clare, Sara Teasdale and a special December poem about Dunnocks by the late, Helen Dunmore, whose works of fiction I have particularly enjoyed. Amongst the collection twelve, lesser known poets, but equally talented, also share their words and wisdom, bringing the year to life in a very special way.
I particularly enjoyed January First by Justin Quinn, which is especially appropriate for today-
"A clean break. The light
is sharp and cold and new.
The house dwindles from sight.
The cars are far and few."
Oh, to be on roads where cars are far and few !!
In our busy world, which seems to get all the more complicated, I find retreating into a world of poetry such a comfort and I am sure that I shall revisit this lovely almanac throughout the year and allow the beauty of words, beautifully expressed, to offer that still small voice of calm.
Almanac: Twelve Poems for 2022 is a such a special collection of poetry which starts the new year off so beautifully. I have no hesitation in making this lovely anthology my Featured Book of the Month for January.
Candlestick Press is an independent publisher based in Nottingham, UK. We’ve been publishing poetry pamphlets since 2008 not only for people who already love poetry, but also for those who will love it but perhaps don’t know that yet. Our ‘instead of a card’ pamphlets make an ideal alternative to a mainstream greetings card and are a small gift in their own right. They have matching envelopes and bookmarks left blank for your message, and are excellent companions on journeys or for a bedtime read. By supporting us, you help an independent press and our supported charities at the same time as treating yourselves, your friends and family to some wonderful poems.
Twitter @poetrycandle
You can order these pamphlets directly via the Website
or find them in good book retailers.
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