THE WEST MIDLANDS READERS’ NETWORK
& Poetry on Loan

May is Hand In Hand, an anthology of love poems, edited by Carol Ann Duffy. Carol is one of the nation’s favourite poets, was born in Glasgow in 1955. She now lives in Manchester, where she works as a freelance writer.

Read on....

No, Go On

For years, he’s gone over her parting words,
the ones she couldn’t pack. They are printed

in the circles under his eyes. They come to mind
each night at 5 a.m., when the first trains start

and the moon bottles itself outside his door.
He is caught like a wheel on her shimmering track.

Over breakfast the rush hour begins and he wants
me to wait, starting another sentence that he just

lets fall away. And I’m saying: no, go on, finish what
you were about to…I’m with you. I’m following so far.

Maura Dooley

Here are some comments from the anthology's readers:-

‘What a smart idea for an anthology – thirty-six poets choose a love poem they have written, then choose one written by the opposite sex. I leapt across centuries and continents, making dizzying connections and enjoying every line.’

‘An ideal way in to poetry, if you don’t like it or never read any. Whatever sort of love you’ve experienced, or maybe only dreamed of, you’ll find poems here that celebrate it.’

‘I loved the format of this book. I could dive into this whatever mood I’m in, and always come up with a pearl.’

‘A superb invention, a great way to collect different sorts of poems from different times together, but linked by a common theme.’

‘At first I was dubious about this device – love poems are at once the most accessible and the most susceptible to over-sentimentality and cliché. So for me the best poems here are the most direct; those that avoid the slushy and are honest with themselves.’

‘This book not only introduces us to unfamiliar poets but lets us know what the chooser is thinking and perhaps what has influenced them. It has the same fascination as a good episode of Desert Island Discs.’

 Especial Thanks To The Reviewers of May:

Susan Fearn, Simon Fletcher, Di Neoh, Jeff Phelps.

Want More....

If you find anthologies particularly user-friendly, you will enjoy browsing in two recent anthologies-with-a-twist: Short and Sweet:101 Very Short Poems, edited by Simon Armitage (the longest has 13 lines and the shortest has no lines at all), and 101 Sonnets from Shakespeare to Heaney, edited by Don Paterson (worth reading for the quirky, learned notes alone).

Another unique anthology is Last Words, a collection of new poems commissioned by the Salisbury Festival from leading poets especially for the last year of the last century. And for a breathtaking selection of international poetry from the last 50 years, try Emergency Kit (edited by Jo Shapcott and Matthew Sweeney) – you’ll be dipping into it for years.

More Picador Poetry reviewed by our readers…..

Samarkand by Kate Clanchy:

‘Anyone keen on DIY, but unfamiliar with new poetry, could begin by reading the section called The NewHome Cabaret. By the time they’ve read it they’ll be hooked and will want to start at the beginning.’

‘I love her clear, crisp writing. An agile book – bounding from the commonplace to the surreal, from the humorous to the shocking, and throughout, her insight never falters. I know I’ll return to this again and again.’

A la recherche du temps perdu by Craig Raine:

‘A poet who pulls no punches. In this single long poem, a long-ago affair is commemorated and relived. I was resistant at first, but started to find it compelling – so intense.’

‘A disturbing book: reading it made me feel like an intruder into a private world.

Panoramic Lounge-Bar by John Stammers:

‘Bizarre titles like Where is the rest of my horse? and I Put Away My Ears drew me in. Funny, daring, over-the-top, and surprisingly readable.’

‘Some brilliant and beautiful poems.’

 Destination: Further…..

Reading groups: Many of the reactions to the poetry in this leaflet were written by members of reading groups. Reading groups are a way of sharing the pleasure you get from reading. They offer you the chance to meet with other readers who also enjoy talking about the book they’ve read. Most groups are free, meet monthly, and have up to fifteen members. Group members decide what they want to read and talk about – meetings are informal and everyone’s opinion counts.

If you are interested in joining or starting a reading group, ask at your local library or bookshop. They may already run a reading group. If they don’t they should be able to give you information on your nearest group, or advice on starting one yourself. The West Midlands Readers’ Network supports readers and readers’ group in the region – check out your local library, lit-net's writers and readers page or e-mail handinhand@cwcom.net for details of your nearest group.

Lit-Net (http://www.lit-net.org) is the West Midlands’ own books and reading website. A lively, constantly changing site including book reviews, discussions, and details of events for readers and writers.(I should cocoa, Lit-Net Ed)

Poetry On Loan West Midlands is a network of 20 libraries in the region which specialise in the promotion of contemporary poetry. The six libraries participating in Poetry Book of the Month are Poetry On Loan members. All have a special Poetry Place within their libraries, with information, collections of poetry, etc. Click here for details of other Poetry On Loan libraries.

The Poetry Society helps poetry thrive by promoting it through a range of work including publications, competitions, education work, and a website (http://www. poetrysoc.com).  It is a membership organisation open to all and offers benefits to members. Contact: Membership, The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX.

The Orange Reading Groups Guide (free, Book Trust, 1997) contains everything you need to know about setting up a reading group. Phone 0973 150 720 to order a copy.

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For more details about Poetry Book Of The Month & Poetry On Loan
e-mail Christine Bridgwood at handinhand@cwcom.net