The Friday Poem

A poem every Friday

Pamphlet Reviews

Blue and white illustration, possibly a lino cut showing a blue cup on its side with spilt liquid. The cup has an illustration that looks like Lewis Carroll's Alice.

Stuffed Monkey and Other Considerations

Helena Nelson reviews After the Rites and Sandwiches by Kathy Pimlott (Emma Press, 2024)
The word 'MISSING' in white block capitals superimposed on a photo of the back of a red brick house, two sash windows, overgrown with foliage from the garden.

Oboes, pine cones, pangolins

Jane Routh reviews Missing the Man Next Door by Annie Fisher (Mariscat, 2024)
Purple cover with yellowish feathers drawn on. bit like wallpaper. There is an ostrich, and the book title.

Dunna wittle, it’ll be reet

Isabelle Thompson reviews Ostriches: Ten Poems about My Dad by Jeanette Burton (Candlestick Press, 2024)
The title of the book in seraph font on a an apricot background. Could do better.

In the ‘quiet coach’

Annie Fisher reviews Surprising the Misses McRuvie by Eleanor Livingstone (Red Squirrel Press, 2023)
Black background with geometric shapes in orange, mostly triangles.

Nothing left to carve but the eye

Helena Nelson reviews Exposure by Eric Yip (Ignition Press, 2024)
Two book covers, one yellow, one green.

A commitment to honour women

Khadija Rouf reviews A Coalition of Cheetahs by Doreen Gurrey and Spin by Laurie Bolger
Painting of leaves on a gold background, There is bay, and possibly corn.

Alive as the bay tree

Mat Riches reviews Variety Turns by Christopher Arksey (Broken Sleep Books, 2024)
What looks like a painting in two panels. Both show an abstract wave breaking. On one side the sky is blue, on the other side it is black. The bottom of the 'sea' is red.

The Ark wasn’t always a toy

Karen Smith reviews Noah by Penelope Shuttle (Broken Sleep Books, 2023)
Close up of a doorknocker on a large old wooden door. The knocker is metal and shows a pig or boar with a ring in its mouth.

The Leeds Mummy abandons his chariot

Tim Murphy reviews A to Z of Superstitions by Ian Harker (Yaffle Press, 2023)
Part of the words "Many Professional Wrestlers Never Retire" in white italic script font on a purple background.

The Heavyweight Champion of the World

Hilary Menos reviews Many Professional Wrestlers Never Retire by Dane Holt (The Lifeboat, 2023)
Part of the text "Collecting the Data" in red serif font on a turquoise background.

Each brief puncture of the incoming tide

Isabelle Thompson reviews Collecting the Data by Mat Riches (Red Squirrel Press, 2023)
Blurred black and white photograph of a woman walking with an umbrella.

Sunset over Sky dishes

Maggie Mackay reviews 20 by Holly Magill (Drunk Muse Press, 2023)