Taking it In

Some poems, it may be said, dwell on their length for an overall impact, albeit have a tendency to ‘wander’. Not so here, where C.P. Stewart makes each word earn its place, with a brevity that is lucid, clean and precise. On reading these poems the message therein is akin to a laser beam carving letters into rock. Indeed, these forty-three poems become little jewels, polished and compact as bullets. Here is a poet imbued with love – love of life, love for his family and wife, whose work has previously been quoted: ‘these poems are the goods’ and ‘short, taut snapshots’. Moreover, it’s their sheer gravity that holds the most impact, and especially in that last killer line. Yes, be it pastoral, ethereal or simply flesh and blood, each brief sojourn is a whisky and ice. So why not open these pages, and swallow?

Comments on Taking it In:

“ These poems are the goods. ” — John Whitworth, poet.

“ I have seen only a handful of C.P.Stewart’s deceptively slight poems,  but was delighted by the precision with which they nudge ajar a tiny door into large stories of relationships past, imagined or to come. ” — Charles Johnson, Editor, Obsessed With Pipework magazine.

“ I simply love these poems ” — Gerard Rochford, poet.

“ I have a genuine appreciation for this artist’s work. The fluid words and  smokey images in this collection find their way into the empty spaces of  the psyche, shining a light on faded and long-forgotten memories, reshaping  emotions until they are no longer his – they belong to the reader, completely. ” — Nadia Giordana, Editor/Publisher, Mississippi Crow.

“ C.P.Stewart’s short, taut snapshots. ” — Paul Sutherland, Editor of Dream Catcher magazine.

The Quarry

Again you tracked me down
to my lair by the river,
white as the absent moon,
and hollowed out by sorrow.

And I winced as you lay back
upon the frozen earth, to see
the skin caved in from your ribs
and pelvis, like an abandoned tent.

But I pushed myself in, rejoicing,
for snow was falling all around,
and I was in my pomp.




The Invited

The words will come —
it is early yet.

The fire is laid and the table set.
There are lilies in the window and a view to the sea.
The rain is gentle, the moon propitious.

Soon I will release your absence from its rosewood box.

And the words will come —
it is early yet, but the words will come —
if only to make their excuses.

Bio: C.P.Stewart lives with his family in North Yorkshire. Formerly singer/songwriter with the cult band Laughing Gravy, his poetry has been widely published in England, Canada, Australia and the United States. He is currently the Poetry Editor for Sotto Voce arts and literary magazine.
 

For more information visit www.cpstewart-poet.co.uk