Only Air

by Stephen Lightbown

Only Air is a deeply personal collection of poems which explore what it is like to go through a life-changing accident and then to re-exist in a world that is suddenly unfamiliar. It is a story of making sense of a new way of surviving and re-evaluating beliefs once held whilst trying to overcome barriers, prejudices and labels. Sometimes moving, other times a wry, humorous account of memories, this is part biographical with a healthy mix of reflection. This collection considers what it means to be part of a family, being alive when you don't conform, and making your journey when the way you perceive yourself is often very different to the ways others view you. At its very core, this is a discovery of what it means to be normal and to regrow.

Genres: Poetry

76 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Nancy Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story told through poems, not quite chronological, but always ticking up, toward hope. Down-to-earth and funny, pleasantly stubborn. This is Lightbown's debut collection and I plan to read all that come next.

[Alex Calver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poems about life as a wheelchair user, complete with raw honesty and stunning imagery. A must-read!