NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW
An independent small press poetry review
 WEBBED SKYLIGHTS OF TALL OAKS Thirty-six years of the Pennine Poets Fighting Cock Press 45 Middlethorpe Drive York YO24 1NA UK ISBN 0 906744 24 5 £4.95        Web design by  This page last updated: 10th December 2007. |
WEBBED SKYLIGHTS OF TALL OAKS | |
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This anthology celebrates 36 years of the Pennine Poets. Its members travel great distances to meet in Heckmondwyke at the home of Mabel Ferrett. The opening poem NOW AND THEN by Josie Kildea: Then below the bulge of a twine-luggage rack were watercolours of the coast, Cromer, Blakeney, Fakenham, Wells-next-the-Sea.shows the group is not stuck in a narrow geographical area but take their inspiration far afield. Mary Sheepshank's poem about a kingfisher is also a poem about writing poetry, whilst Catherine Emberson's PALETTE is based on the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh: Black crows hovering fatal corn and troubled skies your soul is laid bare.Ian Emberson stays at home and paints a word-portrait of Pendle Hill from above Wycoller whilst Gerald England is CALIFORNIA BOUND spreading wobbly marmalade at 29,000 feetClare Chapman brings a taste of modern reality with a poem about the aftermath of thieves kicking down a woman's door. In slight contrast, Mabel Ferret enlightens us about history with two poems about Towton and Pontefract. In THE FIRST POEM FOR AGES, Christine England writes: The early morning promise did not fulfil itself. Dull grey drizzle and mist all day. Then, unexpectedly, a night sky Full of brilliant stars.Jim Kempster provides some humour with THE ORANGER PORRINGER whilst Ed Reiss has trouble with placenames. Altogether this is a varied and well put together collection of interesting poetry. | ||
| reviewer: Martin Grampound |