We are a bit dinosaury sometimes, we poets. We like things like reading from paper. Laying on a bit of warm wine and saying words to a “poetry crowd” of 8 people in the back room of a bookshop. I mean, these are good things (well except for the warm wine). BUT.
It’s 2022, and we have a whole bunch of tools at our disposal. In this respect (and others I’ll come on to), I’m in awe of S Reeson. Her pamphlet Flammable Solid, just released by Flight of the Dragonfly Press, is an interactive experience. Firstly, you get to make your own pamphlet using the sticker set provided. (Mine now has a blurb from Kim Moore on the front and one from Damien Donnelly on the back, making a perfect poetry sandwich). Secondly, you can watch the live launch on the Internet of Words website which is an audiovisual feast INCLUDING SOUND EFFECTS (and me, yes I’m in it I’m afraid). Lastly, the pamphlet comes with a QR code allowing you to access extra notes and thoughts tied to each poem. This is a genius idea, and why isn’t everyone doing it?? I love gaining insight into a poet’s thoughts. It gives the poems SO MUCH MORE.
Anyway, you think all that is why I called this post Poetry in 3D? It’s not. The title is about the poetry, which when all is said and done is the most important thing. These poems leap off the page in streams of consciousness which take you straight into the poet’s mind. And wow, it’s not always linear in there, thank God.
Allow me to pick some examples.
“Between Mr Einstein and Cake” swings between the massive, the quantum, the personal and… cake.
“Obsession’s uncanny masking plus ability to consume wedges of sponge towers without whom history would be stark hollow dark facsimile…”
“Above Below” encompasses the whole of time whilst telling us it is inadequate to do so:
“Poetry again fails to encompass everything that sits / enduring / long after chattering ape girl’s been and gone.”
“Sunday 9.15am” expresses the internal turmoil even a simple lie in can generate:
“How can I be simultaneously everywhere, and here, where nothing always seems a waste?”
And there is more of this, far more. Personal experience, social injustice, family, BLACK HOLES… these are poems that demand to be read and re-read. And they will give you more each time. And talking of “More”… the final poem (called “More”) about the joy of writing is wonderful, but I’m not including any spoilers on that one.
So… watch the launch. Enjoy your sticker project. Delve into the sister website. But above all, read the poems. Read them. But don’t blame me if you fall right in.
https://flightofthedragonfly.com/shop/
