Monday, 11 November 2024

๐Ÿ“– Book Review ~ Ten Poems of Light from Candlestick Press



October 2024

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this pamphlet 

This celebration title offers light in many glorious guises, helping mark one million pamphlet sales for Candlestick Press. We encounter celestial light in the form of the sun, moon and stars as well as the miracle of the Northern Lights. There’s the dazzle of the sea and mysterious bioluminescence from the natural world.

The poems also explore what light can mean to us as humans, with its promise of hope and a happier future. And there’s lighting a candle in remembrance of a loved one:

“…a sign says, and say a prayer, so I do.
I light it for you, you who made the world
a brighter place, and leave it burning.’


from ‘Fire lit up the sky’ by Carole Bromley

We hope that this dazzling selection – which includes the winning poems in our recent competition – will offer moments of delight and lasting joy, a poem (like a candlestick) being a lovely bearer of illumination.

Poems by Shasta Hanif Ali, Carole Bromley, Jane Burn, Rosie Jackson, Rachel Jeffcoat, Stephen Keeler,Nairn Kennedy, DA Prince, Penny Sherman and Laura Theis.

Cover illustration by Rebecca Vincent.

Donation to Starlight Children Foundation


๐Ÿ“– My review..


Helping to commemorate the millionth poetry pamphlet sold by Candlestick Press Ten Poems of Light is the perfect way to celebrate this amazing achievement. We all need light during some of our darkest times and I found so much to enjoy in these ten brand new poems, nine of whom are from winners in a Candlestick competition and what a talented bunch of poets they all are ๐Ÿ˜„ 

I enjoyed Telling My Child About Light by Jane Burn especially this line :

-‘wherever you are in the world, somewhere there is light’

Whenever I visit a holy place I light a candle to remember those in my family who are no longer with me:

Light A Candle,
a sign says, and say a prayer, so I do.
I light it for you, you who made the world 
A brighter place, and leave it burning.’

Fire lit up the sky by Carole Bromley 

The final poem in the anthology, Things that hold light by Shasta Hanif Ali processes grief through tiny glimpses of joy in a hospice ‘When we fall, we are gathered’  - what a beautiful thought.

I’ve loved reading Ten Poems of Light, it’s beautifully presented, with a stunning cover and colourful inside papers which fit the theme of light perfectly. Each of the poems compliment each other, making this a truly special anthology and a wonderful celebration of a million pamphlets sold by this small publisher whose passion for each pamphlet, they so lovingly produce, shines like a beacon of light.


 About the Publisher



Candlestick Press is a small, independent press publishing sumptuously produced poetry pamphlets that serve as a wonderful alternative to a greetings card, with matching envelopes and bookmarks left blank for your message. Their subjects include Mountains, Clouds, Walking, Birds, Wine and Happiness. Candlestick Press pamphlets are stocked by chain and independent bookshops, galleries and garden centres nationwide and available to order online.


Twitter/X @poetrycandle






No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to comment - Jaffareadstoo appreciates your interest.