REVIEW OF THE BARDS
1, 2 AND 3
BY JOHN LIGHT
THE BARDS is a series of A4 folded sheets each presenting a selection of poems by one poet.
No. 1 has 8 poems by AC Evans. These describe the present as already nearly the future - at least, that's how it seems to me but perhaps that's because I live in Berwick-upon-Tweed where the present may still be the past, or maybe vice versa. The images in these poems are sharp, the language is urgent and in places uncomfortable: the author's world is not a cosy one - it is too much like the real one. This pamphlet is worth more than the ten pence plus SAE asked for it.
No. 2 contains 9 poems by Geoff Stevens. Enigmatic and ironic, sometimes angry, they illuminate life from the side and throw bits of it into unfamiliar relief. This is another selection that is well worth the money - never mind the length, luxuriate in the quality!
No. 3 has a beautiful cover by AC Evans and the 9 poems are from Chriistopher Brewer. the language of these is more straightforward than in the other two collections, the beauty of it is different to theirs and there is rhyme, an aspect of poetry now often derided, but when skilful and not forced, it makes the poems sing in a way that blank or free verse never can.
If you buy all three of these, it would cost you 30 pence (and only one stamp) and not only would you have an introduction to or reminder of three accomplished poets, but a miniature celebration of the diversity of contemporary poetry. More pamphlets are planned.