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Verses
Many see poetry as an outdated form of expression. In 2011 however, London-based writer Chris Gill set out to prove this is not the case in his powerful debut collection of poetry, Verses.
Penned over the course of five years, Verses presents the young author’s journey into manhood reflecting on his past, present and future through an emotive compilation of carefully crafted verse.
The collection is split into four sections that tackle issues on both a macro and micro scale. Kicking off with the confessional Catacombs, the book promises to take its reader on an existential trip as Chris picks apart fragments of his memory leaving you intrigued and often able to relate.
In the opening chapter, the author describes his trials and tribulations as a young man making his way in a big city with a “pocket full of dreams”. The book then continues with Escape to the Docks, a haunting section that presents the reader with a narrative of the writer’s student life. Expect themes ranging from hedonism to suicide.
The third section of the book, titled Home, reverts back in time to Chris’ childhood. Here we’re given an intimate insight into the poet's early years in a dream-like tale.
The final chapter of the book, Wires, sees the experimental writer turn far more outward as he openly expresses his political views and concerns about the environment. This section includes the epic Wires, which takes the reader on a powerful exploration into Chris’ inner psyche.
If you think that poetry is boring and outdated, Verses will open your mind and give you a taste of how contemporary poetry looks, sounds and feels. It proves that poetry, just like any other art form, exists to provoke emotion and empathy within its reader; leaving you enthralled and wanting more.
Penned over the course of five years, Verses presents the young author’s journey into manhood reflecting on his past, present and future through an emotive compilation of carefully crafted verse.
The collection is split into four sections that tackle issues on both a macro and micro scale. Kicking off with the confessional Catacombs, the book promises to take its reader on an existential trip as Chris picks apart fragments of his memory leaving you intrigued and often able to relate.
In the opening chapter, the author describes his trials and tribulations as a young man making his way in a big city with a “pocket full of dreams”. The book then continues with Escape to the Docks, a haunting section that presents the reader with a narrative of the writer’s student life. Expect themes ranging from hedonism to suicide.
The third section of the book, titled Home, reverts back in time to Chris’ childhood. Here we’re given an intimate insight into the poet's early years in a dream-like tale.
The final chapter of the book, Wires, sees the experimental writer turn far more outward as he openly expresses his political views and concerns about the environment. This section includes the epic Wires, which takes the reader on a powerful exploration into Chris’ inner psyche.
If you think that poetry is boring and outdated, Verses will open your mind and give you a taste of how contemporary poetry looks, sounds and feels. It proves that poetry, just like any other art form, exists to provoke emotion and empathy within its reader; leaving you enthralled and wanting more.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2011
16 people want to read
About the author
Chris Gill
3 books111 followersChris Gill is the author of LGBTQ+ mystery novels The Nowhere and Boy Fallen. The Nowhere was published in 2019 and went on to become a Lambda Literary Awards finalist the following year. Boy Fallen is out now through PRNTD Publishing.
Chris was born in Eastbourne in the UK to a British mother and New Zealander father. He moved to New Zealand with his family at age two where he spent over six years growing up in Auckland. It was during this time that Chris’ love for reading and writing began, spending his early years penning hundreds of short stories his mother still has tucked away.
Upon returning to the UK, Chris lived in a small town in Sussex. These years went on to inspire many of the themes in his novels, such as coming of age, small-town homophobia and isolation. Chris moved to Hampshire at age nineteen to study journalism at university.
Upon graduating, Chris moved to London and began a career in copywriting. In 2011, he published his debut book of poetry through his co-founded publishing company, PRNTD.
Chris relocated to Australia in 2014 and released his LGBTQ+ coming-of-age novel The Nowhere in 2019. His New Zealand mystery novel Boy Fallen is out now.
Chris lives in Sydney with his husband.
Chris was born in Eastbourne in the UK to a British mother and New Zealander father. He moved to New Zealand with his family at age two where he spent over six years growing up in Auckland. It was during this time that Chris’ love for reading and writing began, spending his early years penning hundreds of short stories his mother still has tucked away.
Upon returning to the UK, Chris lived in a small town in Sussex. These years went on to inspire many of the themes in his novels, such as coming of age, small-town homophobia and isolation. Chris moved to Hampshire at age nineteen to study journalism at university.
Upon graduating, Chris moved to London and began a career in copywriting. In 2011, he published his debut book of poetry through his co-founded publishing company, PRNTD.
Chris relocated to Australia in 2014 and released his LGBTQ+ coming-of-age novel The Nowhere in 2019. His New Zealand mystery novel Boy Fallen is out now.
Chris lives in Sydney with his husband.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 12, 2019
A poetical work of art in its own right - this book is a sentimental and intimate insight to Chris's personal life; honest, sincere, and evocatively revealing, it flashes between descriptive memory, and modern views on society, and how we connect with one another.
It reads as a necessary release and closure, as Chris evolved between childhood, adolescence and adulthood; picking up the hazy imagery of each moment that shaped and sculpted him into the man he is today.
A beautiful read.
It reads as a necessary release and closure, as Chris evolved between childhood, adolescence and adulthood; picking up the hazy imagery of each moment that shaped and sculpted him into the man he is today.
A beautiful read.
August 30, 2019
Woah!!! Everything Chris Gill touches turns to gold , i swear. This perfect little gem- Touched on so many things we need to recognize and understand on this plane of existence. For our planet and for our most authentic truth. I can’t express enough how thought provoking these collected poems are, give yourself the gift of expanding your world and heart by diving head first into Verses!
January 29, 2020
There are not enough words to express how much I love Gill's writing style.
There is just something about the way he forms words on a page that makes my brain tingle (in a good way not the bipolar way it usually does).
These poems are a bit of a wave of emotions but one that I felt I was prepared for.
It goes on the shelf next to Tarjei Vesass.
There is just something about the way he forms words on a page that makes my brain tingle (in a good way not the bipolar way it usually does).
These poems are a bit of a wave of emotions but one that I felt I was prepared for.
It goes on the shelf next to Tarjei Vesass.
February 14, 2022
Nice collection of poetry from a talented writer. Would love to see this rawness carried through into his novels. The presentation here is clean and simple which showcases Gill's writing. Personal favorites include Pencil Marks, Blur, Nostalgia, The Other Side, and Paradise.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews