I’ve always liked Moira Andrew‘s clarity of expression, and this collection (Poetry Space), illustrated by Anna Popescu, is no exception. She captures moments wonderfully and although this is a collection for young people, addressing many childhood concerns, there are no concessions as to language, and there is much in here for those of us who remember what it’s like to be young! There’s only one thing I don’t like about it and that’s the font – Comic Sans. Here’s a sample poem:
Halloween
There’s always that shiver –
a catch of breath at the first taste
……of frost
and a slick of fear… what if?
What if that billowing shadow
is not what it seems, the yellow
……street light
a monster’s searching eyes?
And those menacing pumpkins…
what if they were to widen their
……toothy grins
and spit out a stream of curses?
There’s always that dread…
what if the undead wrap up
……in darkness
and follow Trick-Treaters home?
Halloween’s an in-between…
ghosts and ghoulies, apples
……silver coins,
autumn’s end, winter’s start-up.
© Moira Andrew
Poetry Roundabout 