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Briny
Briny reflects the poet's passion for the sea, whether lapping the shores of the northwest Highlands where she lives or afloat on the wild waters of the Minch. The poems throng with sealife, from barnacles to bow head whales, charting sailing passages and swims, drawing deeply on intimate lived experience of the marine world. A sharp, clear lyrical voice sings here with seabirds and seals.
"A wild, joyful book of sea-longing and sailing from Assynt to the Arctic with a beloved skipper, immersed in the mysteries and glories of a salty world full of seals, otters, dolphins and gannets. This book is a astringent and effervescent as the northerly lochs and seas it celebrates. Wise and infused with a wry, slant glint which Norman MacCaig would have enjoyed, this book refuses to romanticise the sea and its perilous state yet celebrates the utter freedom and joy of sailing from loch to outer sea and on to the Arctic." Pippa Little, author of Time Begins to Hurt, Twist and Overwintering
"This collection is a sailor’s logbook of observations, aware that time is running out for our species if it continues to abuse its home. Yet the language has the energy of optimism whether in the exuberant ‘Sky socks’ or the refined ‘Zen-gardener’, all brimful of love for stones, animals and selected humans. Here is a poet who can hear and heed good advice from the birds. Hope appears as suddenly as flocks like ‘crumbs shaken from a tea towel' or ‘ash from a burned-out fire’." Ian Stephen, author of Maritime, Waypoints, A Book of Death and Fish and Boatlines
"A wild, joyful book of sea-longing and sailing from Assynt to the Arctic with a beloved skipper, immersed in the mysteries and glories of a salty world full of seals, otters, dolphins and gannets. This book is a astringent and effervescent as the northerly lochs and seas it celebrates. Wise and infused with a wry, slant glint which Norman MacCaig would have enjoyed, this book refuses to romanticise the sea and its perilous state yet celebrates the utter freedom and joy of sailing from loch to outer sea and on to the Arctic." Pippa Little, author of Time Begins to Hurt, Twist and Overwintering
"This collection is a sailor’s logbook of observations, aware that time is running out for our species if it continues to abuse its home. Yet the language has the energy of optimism whether in the exuberant ‘Sky socks’ or the refined ‘Zen-gardener’, all brimful of love for stones, animals and selected humans. Here is a poet who can hear and heed good advice from the birds. Hope appears as suddenly as flocks like ‘crumbs shaken from a tea towel' or ‘ash from a burned-out fire’." Ian Stephen, author of Maritime, Waypoints, A Book of Death and Fish and Boatlines
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 19, 2024
As a fellow thalassophile, living in the Scottish Highlands, this book fully resonated with me.
The lyrical rhythm of the waves suffuses this collection, drawing us down into the sea. Whether swimming, sailing or walking, it reminds us that the sea is our home and we share it with other creatures. Tender and calming, there is an undercurrent here too, pulling at us, compelling us take notice, acknowledge the otherness and ‘us-ness’ of the sea.
The lyrical rhythm of the waves suffuses this collection, drawing us down into the sea. Whether swimming, sailing or walking, it reminds us that the sea is our home and we share it with other creatures. Tender and calming, there is an undercurrent here too, pulling at us, compelling us take notice, acknowledge the otherness and ‘us-ness’ of the sea.
February 20, 2024
My mom bought me this book of poetry in Scotland. I was a little worried about not being able to fully understand all of it but that wasn’t the case. In fact when I started reading this it wasn’t even on Goodreads yet! So glad that it is! Plus I have a signed copy!
February 19, 2024
I'm biased, obviously, but this book of sea poems is my best so far. It has been longlisted for the Highland Book Prize.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews