The Friday Poem

A poem every Friday

Matthew Stewart

Close up of a parchment coloured map showing Spanish place names written in italic script.

Holding on against the ebb

Christopher James reviews Whatever You Do, Just Don’t by Matthew Stewart (HappenStance, 2023)
A section from what could be a stained glass window; it shows a central diamond shape with a blue background and a yellow horse silhouette standing on a yellow crown. There are diamonds of dark and pale red and yellow around.

Hydra heads of rebellions

Matthew Stewart reviews The Kentish Rebellion by Robert Selby (Shoestring, 2022)
A paper cutout of the front steps to Steven Spender's house. It is a blue townhouse and stone steps lead to the front door. Leaves are on the ground, giving an autumnal air.

A single umbrella is enough to start a revolution

Matthew Stewart reviews The Storm in the Piano by Christopher James (Maytree Press, 2022),
abstract image of a blurred blue head on a blue background with yellow red and green leaf like paint splurges running down the left hand side

One kid looking on in wonder

Matthew Stewart explores Ben Wilkinson’s poetic development and looks at his new collection, Same Difference (Seren, 2022)
A ripe Camembert a bottle of Gaillac red wine with a poem on the label and a half full glass in front of a yellow window. The poem is Zaleo Premium by Matthew Stewart

Beyond the Bubble

Matthew Stewart asks how poetry can reach out to a wider readership
head and shoulders photo of Mike Laskey looking a bit poetic in a red jumper and black beret (Breton rather than Basque, going by the dimensions) against blue sky and a bit of beach and sea

The outsider who writes from within

Matthew Stewart looks at the work of Michael Laskey
The Friday Poem 'Las Ciguenas' by Matthew Stewart

Las Cigüeñas

by Matthew Stewart — The storks’ nest teeters on floodlight pylons, / bushy hair over thirty-two white eyes / that shine against the darkening skyline. // Just seconds left, the home team's pressing hard / for a winner