Three latest poetry collections have garnered attention from critics and readers alike - Namanlagh by Tom Paulin, Foretokens by Sarah Howe, and Maryville by Joelle Taylor. In "The Best Recent Poetry – Review Roundup", these poets are praised for their thought-provoking works that tackle complex themes such as depression, genetics, time's relativity, becoming a parent, lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights.
In Namanlagh, Paulin's 10th collection, the poet has delved into depression and recovery in his work. The language is straightforward, unadorned, and more affecting for its simplicity. His reflections on recent shifts in Northern Irish history and politics are imbued with bite, particularly when discussing the cost of liberation. A poignant moment stands out: "Heed my cadences then and live only for now. / Don't ever bother about tomorrow. / Just pluck, today, life's full-blooded roses."
Sarah Howe's Foretokens is a reaffirmation of her sharp intelligence and ability to layer telling detail in her poetry. This collection takes on the biggest subjects - genetics, time's relativity, becoming a parent – as well as re-examining her mother's occluded history in Hong Kong. An anger has emerged in her tonal range, bringing a pleasing sharpness to her investigations: "child of a hoarder / I am not immune / to this mania this malaise / this inherited dream / of an archive / so complete nothing / could ever hurt again." Foretokens is a remarkable return.
Joelle Taylor's Maryville is a sweeping, 50-year history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights. The book frames itself as a television series because, according to Taylor, "I want you to see us". Urgent and memorable language permeates the poems, which are accompanied by screen directions. A tenderness for her protagonists lingers; she knows that liberation never comes without cost.
Nikita Gill's Hekate is a retelling of the life of the Greek goddess of plants, witchcraft, and more. The verse novel propels the reader through the story, though at times exposition contorts the poetry into flatness. However, moments of insight surface. A poignant pause stands out: "the shifting sands of time took my father from my features. Is that all ageing is? Leaving things you knew and once loved behind to become something brand new?"
Lastly, Phoebe Giannisi's Goatsong compiles three recent books, united by a rigorously intellectual style that grounds the poems in physicality: "I open my mouth to speak / but my teeth clench / you a seashell / a hidden word." The poetry does not give up its charms easily. Its oddity and opacity put it in mind of W.H. Auden's The Orators. In Goatsong, Giannisi is saying something important: "I say take me / in your embrace / in your violence / and gently / let me go".
In Namanlagh, Paulin's 10th collection, the poet has delved into depression and recovery in his work. The language is straightforward, unadorned, and more affecting for its simplicity. His reflections on recent shifts in Northern Irish history and politics are imbued with bite, particularly when discussing the cost of liberation. A poignant moment stands out: "Heed my cadences then and live only for now. / Don't ever bother about tomorrow. / Just pluck, today, life's full-blooded roses."
Sarah Howe's Foretokens is a reaffirmation of her sharp intelligence and ability to layer telling detail in her poetry. This collection takes on the biggest subjects - genetics, time's relativity, becoming a parent – as well as re-examining her mother's occluded history in Hong Kong. An anger has emerged in her tonal range, bringing a pleasing sharpness to her investigations: "child of a hoarder / I am not immune / to this mania this malaise / this inherited dream / of an archive / so complete nothing / could ever hurt again." Foretokens is a remarkable return.
Joelle Taylor's Maryville is a sweeping, 50-year history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights. The book frames itself as a television series because, according to Taylor, "I want you to see us". Urgent and memorable language permeates the poems, which are accompanied by screen directions. A tenderness for her protagonists lingers; she knows that liberation never comes without cost.
Nikita Gill's Hekate is a retelling of the life of the Greek goddess of plants, witchcraft, and more. The verse novel propels the reader through the story, though at times exposition contorts the poetry into flatness. However, moments of insight surface. A poignant pause stands out: "the shifting sands of time took my father from my features. Is that all ageing is? Leaving things you knew and once loved behind to become something brand new?"
Lastly, Phoebe Giannisi's Goatsong compiles three recent books, united by a rigorously intellectual style that grounds the poems in physicality: "I open my mouth to speak / but my teeth clench / you a seashell / a hidden word." The poetry does not give up its charms easily. Its oddity and opacity put it in mind of W.H. Auden's The Orators. In Goatsong, Giannisi is saying something important: "I say take me / in your embrace / in your violence / and gently / let me go".
These new poetry collections are giving me so much to think about! I love how each one tackles big themes like depression, genetics, and identity. Tom Paulin's Namanlagh is really resonating with me - his words just feel so honest and raw, you know? Like he's speaking directly from the heart.
their work is like a conversation we need to have. I love how Namanlagh just tackles depression with no fuss, it's so refreshing. And Sarah Howe's anger is totally justified, her collection Foretokens is like a breath of fresh air 
I mean, Tom Paulin's Namanlagh is so powerful, it's like he's yelling all the things we need to hear about depression and recovery. And Sarah Howe's Foretokens? Forget about it! It's like she's finally unleashed a ton of emotional intensity that's been building up for years.
I love how she wove all these different threads together to create this epic history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights. Phoebe Giannisi's Goatsong is also giving me LIFE 
- it's like she took all these complex ideas and turned them into poetry that's both beautiful and brutal at the same time.
And Nikita Gill's Hekate? The story of Greek goddess is so cool, I need to read more about it ASAP!
but I'm still waiting for some real depth 
. Like, where's the source on these supposed "thought-provoking works" tackling complex themes? Is it just a bunch of critics throwing around buzzwords or are there actual studies to back this up? 
. Her poetry seems like a mix of intellectual posturing and genuine emotion, but I need more concrete examples to believe it. What makes her genetics and time's relativity poems so unique? Can we look at some peer-reviewed research or reviews from actual experts in the field?
. A sweeping history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights is a big deal, but how does she actually support her claims with evidence? What kind of sources has she used to craft this book?
. "Intellectual style" doesn't necessarily mean it's good poetry 
. Can we look at some actual literary analysis or reviews from critics who aren't just trying to fit in with the current trends?
. like, i'm so grateful to see women's voices taking center stage and tackling such heavy topics with such nuance and care. paulin's namanlagh is really resonating with me - his simplicity is what makes it so powerful. Howe's foretokens is like a breath of fresh air, her anger and intensity are infectious 
. joelle taylor's maryville is like a love letter to the lgbtq+ community - it's so urgent and memorable 
. what's really impressive is how these poets are tackling big themes without shying away from the complexity of them all. can't wait to dive into more of their work 
. Nikita Gill's Hekate is all about them ancient Greek vibes - a slow burn that might not be everyone's cup tea, but trust me, it's worth the trip to Mount Olympus 
. And Phoebe Giannisi? She's like the cool aunt of poetry - weird, wonderful, and will make you feel all the feels 
. Goatsong is like a puzzle with no easy answers, but that's what makes it so bloody brilliant 
.
. Nikita Gill's Hekate is also giving me life, retelling the story of this powerful goddess in verse novel form 
. These poets are pushing boundaries and taking risks, and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
while nikita gill's hekate is like a mythological journey 
and phoebe giannisi's goatsong is like trying to decipher an ancient code