Poor Rude Lines features reviews, essays and recommendations from the world of contemporary poetry.
Featured review
Claire Booker’s Pedestrian in the Multiverse is a multiverse of its own. In the fissures between – and within – its poems, it is possible to catch glimpses of infinity, and to see ‘eternity in an hour.’
Recent Reviews
Lang’s powers of observation are forensic and, as a result, his poems ring with truth and radiate warmth. The Oasis is an affectionate portrait of a city and its people but tackles division and confrontation head-on.
That Broke into Shining Crystals is ravishing. From page to page it delights with its riot of forms and witty, suggestive, intoxicating language. It’s confessional poetry at its finest and to read it is to receive a priceless gift.
To look a thing in the face, to call it by its name and, through some alchemical miracle, to turn life in its joy, its mess, its pain, into gold – that’s the calling of the artist, the musician, and the poet. Richard Meier’s poems are of this class.
I’m a reader, not a writer of poetry.
Poor Rude Lines started in 2012 and it led to an invitation to speak and blog at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival (now Poetry in Aldeburgh). From there, I was asked to offer readings of single poems and whole collections for the Forward Prizes. In 2014, the Poetry Book Society asked me to write about some of the Next Generation Poets – and, on behalf of the T.S. Eliot Prize, I have reviewed every collection shortlisted for the Prize since 2015.
If you have something that you think that I would enjoy reviewing then please get in touch: @johnfield1.bsky.social