A collection of poetry from the poet/author guests of Robbie Cheadle on the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series on Writing to be Read in 2020. Open the book and discover the poetry treasures of Sue Vincent, Geoff Le Pard, Frank Prem, Victoria (Tori) Zigler, Colleen M. Chesebro, K. Morris, Annette Rochelle Aben, Jude Kitya Itakali, and Roberta Eaton Cheadle.
I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of Poetry Treasures in give my opinion freely and without bias.
My review
There is an introduction by Kaye Lynn Booth (Word Crafter Press,) followed by Sue Vincent’s beautiful contributions which are even more meaningful and poignant given that this lovely author, blogger, talented soul, dear friend and loved one has since passed and is dearly missed. I particularly love all Sue’s poetry in this collection. My favourites: Snow Drops, and Aflame.
This collection is a wonderful introduction to the poetic talents of many wonderful authors many of whose work I have read before with great enjoyment. I include them here with my favourite poem in brackets, Colleen Chesebro, ( The Weather Witch,) Robbie Cheadle, (How I See, ) Frank Prem, (Joe – Pretty Words,) Geoff Le Pard (The Coffee Machine, )and Annette Rochelle Aben (Yes – a tanka).
It was also a great way to discover more about Kevin, (Lonely Train, ) Tori (A Grain of Sand) and Jude (Darkness and Light) whose books I have not read before.
The poetry within shows versatility, a sense of the supportive community and the many differing styles of the poets.
Well done to all the contributors, a lovely collection and one I can highly recommend. It is one to read more than once!
I received an ARC and give my opinion freely and without bias.
I’m thrilled to announce the paperback of my poetry collection Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity has released and is available to buy on Amazon. I’ve been a bit slow of the mark in notifying my blog viewers about this as I’ve been busy editing my second YA Fantasy novel: The Curse of Time #2 Golden Healer.
More about that soon!
I’m particularly thrilled about the paperback release as I created the cover myself. The back cover also features ‘my face with pink hair,” designed by the multi-talented Sarah Northwood. I loved her image so much that I wrote a poem about it.
Here’s an excerpt of the poem from the book which gives you an idea of the quirky nature of the poems within…
Also, the reviews have been coming in! The latest which I’ve shared below is from author D.L. Finn, many thanks for the kind review. ❤
Reviews mean so much!
“Lockdown Innit” is a glimpse into the pandemic through poetry. There were various subjects and types of poetry, including going to the supermarket, driving, cancer, and books. I laughed when reading “SuperMarket Bozos,” it reminded me of my feisty grandmother. “ROAD RAGE DURING COVID-19” is an all too often occurrence, even during the last year. While “Little Library” offered a picture of something one could do during the stay-at-home orders, read. The collection ended with “THIS author longs for Pets,” and I admit jumping into a cat’s dream might be that perfect escape from the heaviness of the epidemic. This is a book I’d like to go back and read ten years from now as a reminder of this time in history because it gives a unique perspective into strange times.
This anthology and compilation is for everyone, wherever you live in the world. We are all experiencing the impact of COVID19 and lockdown. As writers, bloggers and creatives we express our thoughts and opinions in writing: in heartfelt poetry, pieces on isolation and the impact of COVID19 and the ‘new normal.’ There are twenty eight talented contributors, including the creative NHS Mask Making Fundraising Team of Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago Val. The contributors come from as far afield as Australia, Canada, USA and Zimbabwe, or closer to my current home in England – in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
It is as Willow Willers, a contributor said, ‘A piece of living history.’
This extraordinary and unexpected time period will be shared with future generations one day.
Compiling and editing this anthology has given me a purpose over the period of Lockdown and for that I am grateful.
It is an anthology and compilation of diaries, short stories, poetry and flash fiction set during extraordinary times. This Is Lockdown is written from many perspectives, including a writer’s perspective highlighting the day-to-day life and struggles experienced during such an uncertain and frightening time. It also gives a glimpse into the blogging, writing world. The book showcases several authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience ‘isolation’ as a writer. I discuss the handling of the pandemic and my opinion about what might happen next. In the final part of the book I share my latest short story: a YA romance set post lockdown along with poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.
This week we have a photo prompt from Denise. And a truly inspiring one it is. A lady in blue hugging a tree. Here is my take expressed in a series of haiku.
Thank you to Lizzie Chantree for this lovely book launch post for my new poetry Book, Lockdown Innit.
If you love poetry, then this is the book for you! I’m thrilled to be part of the launch of author M J Mallon‘s new poetry book, Lockdown Innit. M J is a big supporter of other authors and it’s great to be able to give something back.
Grab your copy of this interesting and thought provoking book here: Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit
The prompt this week is dreams…. I’m reading a romance at the moment, it’s getting steamy…. Lol.
Lips still tingling
Mouth kissed by sweet dreaming lies
I awake alone
Embracing the pillow’s curves
Longing for your tender touch
Hope you enjoy the tanka!
My new poetry collection is out!!
BLURB
Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!
Buying Links Lockdown Innit Released February 26th
From Colleen’s blog –BADGER HEXASTICH: The Badger Hexastich is syllabic and written in six lines with a 2/4/6/6/4/2 structure. It is unrhymed with optional rising and falling end-words, which I think is an interesting twist.
My latest book a collection of poetry, is due out on February 26th.
BLURB
Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!
It is available to preorder now:
Some advanced readers quotes:
Hope you enjoyed the poem about the waterfall. I have a fondness for waterfalls and all things water!
The synonyms this week are loose and tough. Sound tricky, thinking, thinking… what to write?
NONET: A nonet is stanzaic and written in any number of 9-line stanzas with the following syllable count per line: 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 syllables per line
Bless all manner of ingredients
Making something unique and free
Hard to decide what to use
But chili is a must
As is some red beans
By now you’ll guess
What I am
Grab a
Drink!
I’ve been having fun creating new recipes at home with my eldest daughter, Natasha.
The other day I had an urge to make some scones and we did. We weren’t sure what to use, one recipe said eggs, the other one omitted them, so in the end we decided upon adding the eggs (a Mary Berry’s recipe,) and the scones turned out really well.
Recently, we did our own take on the traditional Chilli Con Carne recipe. I’m planning to share this later in the year around Halloween… More about that to come!
We also had great fun making a Chinese Banquet for Lunar New Year, we made Roast Duck and Singapore noodles plus I bought a lot of dim sum. It was so tasty!
Such a fun thing to do. I’m really enjoying trying out new ideas with food at the moment.
Hope you enjoyed the nonet. Happy Valentines, I’m looking forward to my dinner tonight, hubby is making me his signature dish – steak!
I have a new book coming out soon… Lockdown Innit, Poems About Absurdity. It is available to preorder. Make this author really happy by ordering your copy on kindle today!
Thank you so much to Sally Cronin for this wonderful feature on her blog for my new release Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity (which is currently on pre-order on Amazon.) Releases February 26th.
Preorder Buying Links Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 