A Dreamingis Andrew Martin’s fourth publication and follows in the footsteps of his debut collectionShoals of Starlings,which combined beautiful fractal imagery with powerful minimalist poems, ostensibly to do with birds but also suggesting strong psychological underpinnings. It was a masterly introduction to the work of an impressive contemporary poet/artist.

A Dreamingis a single long poem using wordplay, word-association, alliteration and rhythmic dexterity to keep the ball rolling but it’s also considered and reflective. Chance associations meet careful editing and some of the imagery here is simply astonishing. Take the following by way of example:

angels dream in black and white

pigeons dream of peacocks

kingfishers dream of clown fish

wearing crowns

starlings murmur in their sleep

as they dream of the choreography

dreamt up by storms

The last three lines here are mind-blowing!

This is a poem that build and builds and bears a lot of…