The Clock Flower

by Adrian Rice

"...Along with the poetry comes a growing awareness of the 'independent airs' of radical Belfast, of the great dissenting tradition of the past, of an integrationist stance. Birds flying in and out of The Clock Flower poems- blackbirds, sparrows, hawks, jays-put us in mind of John Hewitt's lines about staking his future on 'birds flying in and out of the schoolroom window.' Hewitt, and beyond him the nineteenth-century Dr. William Drennan (subject of Rice's MPhil thesis), are exemplars for this poet. But Rice's voice is distinctively his forthright, colloquial, wry and persuasive." -Patricia Craig, Times Literary Supplement

Genres: Poetry

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book of poetry that is rooted firmly in the Irish tradition. In this collection the poet examines life in Northern Ireland yet celebrates it drawing from his own memories and experiences. He also writes about his life in a small town in the U.S. as well, taking us along on his journey from Belfast to Hickory, NC. A wonderful collection of work!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loooooved the first two sections of this collection. The first -- The Moongate Sonatas -- in particular were quite beautiful and lovely.

The last third wasn't as interesting to me -- the poems became very long and very full of lists.