In this gracefully written book, Fred Johnston reminds us of an Ireland "Before the coming of the condom" where abuse was kept silent. It is no wonder, then, that he is scathing about poets and poetry whose "middle name is Silence", where "No poet worth a travel-grant Dare sound the warning bells". Fred Johnston is not such a poet. He makes his choice "in the uttered word" and writes formally and "prayerfully" of a world he has created in "The sound of the miraculous Break[ing] like a wave over the ordinary". In a world whose poetry is largely forgettable, this volume stands as a reminder of what poetry can be. Gabriel Fitzmaurice. Launch in Dublin at Poetry Ireland; press releases and review copies including leading Irish journals and media. www.cinnamonpress.com
Publisher: Cinnamon Press There is an immediate sense as you read this collection that the poems are grounded in confidence and knowledge, as each piece unfolds another aspect of this poet’s talent. This is an extensive collection full of irony, humour and seriousness and he handles his subject matter with art and precision. He creates a variety of engaging works. Fred Johnston’s poems are strongly structured and conceived. ‘Lines Written after a Poetry Festival’ has a steady momentum and reflects deeply on today’s society. Another of the best examples of his ironic humour comes through in ‘The Kafka Prize for Poetry’, where he uses the lines of the competition criteria to compose the poem. There is a sense of tranquillity in poems such as ‘Balancing Act’ and an active and fluent use of language throughout the book. The collection concludes with a stunning group of poems, including the Ireland based ‘An Traonach I Bhfolach’ regarding the disappearance of the corncrake. There is immense depth to all of these poems; they are many layered and striking. This satisfying collection amounts to a very extensive and astute body of work by this poet.
Clare Maynard @ www.gwales.com