I was very excited when this beautifully put together hardback arrived on my doorstep, and the contents did not disappoint. The poems, the illustrations, the typeface – everything works together to create a really pleasing collection.

Peeking Cat Poetry Magazine had the honour of being the first literary magazine James’ work appeared in, with “New Year’s Resolution (Poem)” published in the April issue. Another of his poems will appear in the Peeking Cat Anthology 2017.

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the collection’s title, Everything Becomes a Poem fits perfectly with the Peeking Cat aesthetic – we love to find the poetry in everyday things through observation, and to publish poetry that is accessible for everyone.

Speaking of accessibility, what stood out for me in particular was the simplicity of poems such as “Time / Space”, “What to Tell You When You Wake”, “Ave Atque Vale”, and “The Grief of Small Things Breaking” – extract below:

We bought the shoes 
They went with the suit 
The ties 
The bold striped socks 
I wore them 
In an office life 
Which Like the suit
 No longer fits

I love these poems because although they are straightforward, they are thought-provoking and there is just as much left unsaid. There is poetry in the gaps as much as in the words. I also very much like the curious titles of “We All Agreed About the Salmon” and “The Museum of Hideous Bridesmaid Dresses”.

Everything Becomes a Poem was published by Nemeton Press in 2016, and it’s available to buy on Amazon.

Sam Rose ​