Blue Twist

By Stephen Leake

The poems in 'Blue Twist,' are not only poems of memory and place. They concern the connections and disconnections of our inner emotions -subtly unfolding and untwisting in a deceptively relaxed style.

The title poem and indeed the whole collection began with a visit to Beachy Head in June 2004 and explores not only the physical power and beauty of the place but the position it has held in a multitude of lives, as a living passageway from life to death.

The poems in Blue Twist are concerned with transience; they are ever aware of our mortality. Obviously there is a link between the title poem and the longest work in the book 'Revenant,'(this being the physical environment where they both take place). However, the associations between other poems can at times seem less apparent.

The handful of poems contained 'In the Gallery,' were inspired by the Hopper exhibition at the Tate Modern, and again concern the sea. 'Lighthouse hill,' ( back to Beachy Head again!) leads onto a broader urban and human landscape which bridges the learning processes of everyday lives (as in Gina's Lesson), and faith through language and understanding (as in Snow Learner).

As with the poems in the author's previous collection (Beyond the Parasol), it is hoped that this second collection will engage the reader, without pretension.

These are poems you can trust. There's no attitude here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9781490792170

Stephen Leake

Stephen Leake was born in Blackpool, Lancashire; studying music from an early age. He furthered his musical studies in Leeds, Birmingham and London where he now works as a teacher and freelance writer. He divides time between homes in the capital and Brighton. After being recognised as a 'Spotlight Poet' by the Forward Press in July 2004, he continues to contribute work to various magazines including 'Poetry Now' and the 'London Poetry Review.' His success in 'Ottakar's and Faber's Eighth Annual National Poetry Competition,' inspired this current collection. As a member of 'The Poetry Society' (Covent Garden), he continues to enjoy regular readings. He is planning another collection for next year.

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Copyright 2005 Stephen Leake.

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ISBN 978-1-4907-9217-0 (ebook)

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BY THE SAME AUTHOR

Beyond the Parasol

CONTENTS

Exempli Gratia

Tryst

Gina’s Lesson

St. Saviour’s

Queens Road E17

Red- Light

Perilous

Thursday

First Light

Elemental

Walking

The Plumber’s Line

Blue Twist

Mixing It

In Agitation

Clearing Paths

Rejuvenation

Gone

Lost

Ennui

Objectives

Learning Curve

Neighbourhood Watch

In the Gallery

Duet

Embankment

Ptilium Pulcherrimum

One for That Road

Interior

Weekend Haunt

Invert

Word Search

Draining

Lapwings at Pendle

Snow Learner

Falling

Generation Gap

The Way Out

Revenant

Time Out

Tribulation

Brink

Resolution

Boxing Day

Until

Undone

Betrayal

Voice

Looking Back

Static

The Fringe

Your Way

Last Laugh

Lineage

Inclination

Autumn

Imperfect Pitch

Practise

Disconnected

Birthday

Diarist

Intimacy

Scenic Route

Deceiving

Solution

Telling

Hi-Xim Moon

Coverage

Suppose

Equilibrium

Feeding Time

Dropping the Hint

In Passing

Last Firework

Field Fair

And Finally

FOR A.C.WARD.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgements are due to: The Poetry Society, Northern Poetry Chronicle, Spotlight Poets and The Forward Press.

Thanks to Heather Killington, Alan Williams, Andrew Martin and my brother Martin who have