#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Thirty. “The Bird Room” by Dawn Gorman.Tender meditations on the relationship between father and daughter. Dawn sees through her late father’s binoculars. Heart tugging poetry. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

The Bird Room https://amzn.eu/d/0GwrC0P

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-nine. “The Whiskey Mule Diner” edited by David L O’Nan. Absorbing anthology of works inspired by the music and lyrics of Tom Waits. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

The Whiskey Mule Diner Anthology: Inspired by Tom Waits https://amzn.eu/d/8nIGslc

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-eight. “A Census of Preconceptions ” by Oz Hardwick.Once described as a writer of “neo-surreal prose poetry”, Oz takes us into the wonder filled world of ordinary worlds of blended genres full of humanity. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

A Census of Preconceptions https://amzn.eu/d/6qBTJyZ

Thankyou, David L O’ Nan for this “A Feature Poetry Showcase from Paul Brookes” that highlights my poetic journey so far, including my first published poem in 1987, and a recently composed seven sonnet monologue called “A Brandished Knife”. Love a woman to record this monologue, as it is written with a woman’s voice in mind.

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-seven. “Postmarked Quarantine ” by Kushal Poddar.Reading the pandemic backwards, Kushar surreally explores a day by day account of how the pandemic progressed. Its seeming unreality, the way time became a fog for some. .Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-six. “Zoetrope ” by Hilary Otto. Unexpected turns of phrase. Hilary’s poetry never ceases to surprise. Repays endless rereading.Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

Zoetrope https://amzn.eu/d/9r4qGZ9

“Created Responses To This Day” Karen Pierce Gonzalez responds to one of my This Day images. I would love to feature your responses too.

Hanging Droplet by Paul Brookes

 It is a drop

 

spilling over

what this pond can hold -

 

its mouth

still open

for more

Karen Pierce Gonzalez

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-five. “The Telling ” by Julia Webb. Every poem holds that visceral otherness, amongst the relatable. Reader becomes totally absorbed in the intensely personal language world of each poem.Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

The Telling https://amzn.eu/d/gkBGa3m

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-four. “Transition Thunderstorms ” by Beth Bonness. Stunning poetry that encapsulates and describes inside the mind of a stroke victim. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

Transition Thunderstorms https://amzn.eu/d/70Z2xHH

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-three. “Angel Fur and other stories” by Csilla Toldy. Tales that put the magical into magical realism. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

Angel Fur: and other stories https://amzn.eu/d/gCRdHaG