In 2019, Nine Arches Press launched their nationwide Primers scheme for a fifth time, in search of exciting new voices in poetry, with Jacqueline Saphra and Jane Commane as selecting editors. After reading through hundreds of anonymous entries, and narrowing down the choices from longlist to shortlist, three poets emerged as clear choices: Krystelle Bamford, Claire Cox, and Hannah Jane Walker.
Primers Volume Five now brings together a showcase from each of the three poets. At the core of these poems are the milestones and critical moments of our lives and, vitally, the ties that bind us to those we love: from childhood and daughterhood, through motherhood in its entire array of emotions and experiences, and to beloved brothers and fathers. From the tides of grief to surfing the wave of birth, these often courageous and candid poems are distinctive in their engagement with fear, loss and self-discovery, and how they emerge afresh, bold and illuminating. An essential, insightful collection of new work from some of poetry's most talented emerging voices.
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I miss your apple-bright pelt, my loaf, my oat, EPIPHANY, AGED THREE BY KRYSTELLE BAMFORD
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(@NineArchesPress, 30 July 2020, ebook, 72 pages, borrowed from @natpoetrylib via @OverDriveInc, edited by Jane Commane)
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The poets in this small collection are new to me. I really enjoyed the poetry on offer here and will try and read the other volumes at some point. I love discovering new poets. My favourite poems were by Hannah Jane Walker. Her work reminds me a lot of my own and the work of Claire Pollard. I really enjoyed the other poet's work as well but something about her poetry really spoke to me. I look forward to reading more of her work.
