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'John De Laine uses contemporary language and images in poems that require the readers to dig deep within themselves. For those willing, the rewards are there. The soft sweetness of his collection's title is mocked by the tartness of the poems, wherein most relationships are full of tension and hurt, and where introspective moments bring no calm.
'Alison Manthorpe's poems about the sea and sailors and their people on shore are strong and evocative. She has an acute ear for the rhythms appropriate to the poem's moment. Her poems of observation and memory avoid the trap of mere description. Instead she reflects on and draws from the experiences recorded in the poem.
'Ray R. Tindale's collection begins with a lush mid-life crisis food-and-seduction sequence that has something in common with an up-market cooking show. Then follows a love-in-the-garden sequence written with similar ease and delight. A group of farm and outback poems are freshly imagined and keenly observed.' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Comprises three individually titled sections: 'Rain Falls on the Garden' (John De Laine, pp. 1-32), 'Fish Star Glinting' (Alison Manthorpe, pp. 33-63), 'Maiden Voyage' (Ray Tyndale, pp. 65-95).
Contents
- Rain Falls on the Garden, selected work poetry (p. 1-32)
- Miragei"Hands sift a channel cut into", single work poetry (p. 4)
- It's a Girli"She waits in a corner", single work poetry (p. 5)
- The Defectorsi"A woman and a man hold two of the furthest outposts", single work poetry (p. 6)
- Love Birdsi"Traffic drones its endless hum", single work poetry (p. 7-8)
- Who Speaks for the Lemon Tree?i"As ideas are still the lightbulbs", single work poetry (p. 9)
- "The bad social butterfly" After Five, single work poetry (p. 10)
- Made to Fiti"Sandals were never in trend", single work poetry (p. 11)
- The Human Moviei"comes in over-budget too short", single work poetry (p. 12-13)
- Declare Wari"on loneliness", single work poetry (p. 13)
- Steeli"In shadows of a skyscraper", single work poetry (p. 14)
- Plazai"The terrace flagstones cool", single work poetry (p. 15-16)
- Good Groomingi"From her navel is plucked", single work poetry (p. 17)
- A New Leafi"Merry-go-round past", single work poetry (p. 18)
- Cleaning Romei"Soon after the sundial passes", single work poetry (p. 19)
- Italian Girli"Her eyes are dark and deep", single work poetry (p. 20)
- Gentle Poweri"Today she's bathed in a giant", single work poetry (p. 21)
- Blind Foreplayi"His offer of balls ripe", single work poetry (p. 22)
- Lover and Wifei"He likes his wife", single work poetry (p. 23-24)
- Seedsi"Nature is on the telly", single work poetry (p. 25)
