Black Mascara (Waterproof)

By Rosalind Easton

In Rosalind Easton's lively and inventive debut collection, everyday objects are invested with glamour and drama: a mascara wand and a pair of peacock suede stilettos are brought to life in poems exploring the complexities of relationships, and a Mayfair lingerie store provides the setting for a transformative bra fitting experience. A diverse range of literary and cultural references inspires several poems, with the poet's grandmother coming back to life as a book to 'play intellectual drinking games with Shakespeare', and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor taking over the running of a secondary school. In other poems, Tilda Swinton's magazine photo shoot as David Bowie sparks an exploration of the relationship between history and identity, and a night at the Shepherd's Bush Empire with Suede becomes a celebration of the enduring power of teenage memories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Poetry Business
• Release date: Jan 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781912196517

Book preview

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Published 2021 by

Smith|Doorstop Books

The Poetry Business

Campo House,

54 Campo Lane,

Sheffield S1 2EG

Copyright © Rosalind Easton

All Rights Reserved

ISBN 978-1-912196-41-8

ePub ISBN 978-1-912196-51-7

Typeset by The Poetry Business

Printed by People for Print

Smith|Doorstop Books are a member of Inpress:

www.inpressbooks.co.uk

Distributed by NBN International, 1 Deltic Avenue,

Rooksley, Milton Keynes MK13 8LD

The Poetry Business gratefully acknowledges the support of

Arts Council England.

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Contents

Found in Translation

Campagnolo Super Record

Did I Dent Your Car with My Head?

Girl as Bike

Bra Fitting, Mayfair

Lunchtime on Threadneedle Street

The Light Museum

Drinks Party, London Skyline

The Music Stand

The Microphone

The Undiminished Magnificence of Brett Anderson

Tilda Swinton as David Bowie

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor Take Over the Academy

Backstage

Closet

Peacock Suede Stilettos

Black Mascara (Waterproof)

for my nieces

Anabel, Georgia and Margot

Found in Translation

i.m. Nora Newton (1929–2015)

A grandam’s name is little less in love

than is the doting title of a mother;

they are as children but one step below …

Richard III

Of course I should have realised you’d come