Bloodlines is an exploration of Sarah Wimbush's own Gypsy/Traveller heritage, a journey made by piecing together fragments of distant stories and a scattered language. Along the way, we meet people who are 'tethered to the seasons'; voices that reverberate with a sense of family and resilience, and always with that constant wonder of being part of something colourful, untamed and rare.
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(Seren Books, 1 January 2020, paperback, 30 pages, bought from the publisher direct)
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I bought a copy of Bloodlines because some of the poems were featured in an issue of MsLexia when the pamphlet was announced as the winner of their pamphlet competition. I enjoyed all of the poems in this book. I've since read the poet's full length collection Shelling Peas with My Grandmother in the Gorgiolands which deals with similar themes and have become a fan. I love the cover of this book. It made me want to read the poems. I enjoyed all of the poems which deal with the themes identity and personal history. I especially liked Bloodlines, Breakfast, The Calling Basket and Lizzie. I'd recommend this.
