Colin Bramwell’s debut collection, Fetch (And Other Stories, £14.99), explores the nuances of translation and human experience. Recognized for his translation of Fernando Pessoa into Scots, Bramwell engages deeply with themes of identity and existence. The poems range from solemn to humorous, incorporating influences from Russian poets such as Osip Mandelstam and Anna Akhmatova. Lines like “Death is certain, but back then I was too young for that shit” reflect a profound sense of wisdom and an eventual acceptance of life's complexities.
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Eve Esfandiari-Denney's collection, Girling (Fitzcarraldo, £12.99), captivates with its lyrical beauty and poignant topics, including the transition from girlhood to womanhood and the interplay of illness and wellness. The work melds various prose forms with lyric poetry, producing striking imagery and emotions. One notable line reads, “I hope it’s ok to die. I can become something like actualised metaphor,” encapsulating the collection's engaging tone, which balances humor and depth.
Jay Gao’s collection, The Dead One, The Unconscious One, Thundering in Your Ear, Thriving Slumber (Carcanet, £12.99), pushes boundaries with its sprawling and daring approach. Gao’s innovative style often blurs the lines between form and content, using language reminiscent of natural elements, such as trees. The use of “splinters”—single words surrounded by dashes—adds a unique texture to the poetic experience, marking Gao as a distinctive voice in contemporary poetry.
Clementine Ewokolo Burnley’s Belling the Leopard (Bloodaxe, £14) presents a layered examination of colonial histories through vivid imagery. Each poem constructs a miniature world using specific names and places, weaving narratives of forced migration and cultural intersections. While some pieces may feel dense with information, the collection shines in moments where memory and lyricism merge, as seen in the lines about shared experiences of relational struggle.
Padraig Regan’s second collection, The Matter (Carcanet, £12.99), continues to evolve the thematic and structural elements established in their first book. Engaging with the material world—animals, minerals, and vegetables—Regan's work showcases rich imagery and provocative musings on existence. Lines from the poem A Venus Flower Basket exemplify their stylistic shift toward fragmentation, while explorations of natural phenomena allow for reflections on identity and the human condition. Regan's attention to detail creates moments of striking beauty, making this collection a compelling read.