Irregular Images

by Edward Ahern

Edward Ahern's poems have been individually published and republished in over a hundred and fifty magazines and anthologies. Irregular Images gathers a hundred of his best poems into one book. The mix is eclectic—formal and free verse, micro and page length, humorous and melancholic. His poetry is unambiguous and approachable, a pleasure to read without undue strain.

122 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2019

About the author

Resumed writing after forty odd years in foreign intelligence and international sales. Original wife, but after fifty years we are both out of warranty.

Have had a couple hundred short stories and poems published so far, and three books. A collection of my fairy and folk tales, "The Witch Made Me Do It" is published by Gypsy Shadow Press. A novella, "The Witches' Bane," is scheduled for republication in June of 2018, and my collected fantasy/horror stories, "Capricious Visions," from Gnome on Pig Press. A chapbook of individually published poems is currently being shopped around.

Speak German, French and Japanese in that order of fluency. Lived in Germany, Japan and England, and visited over seventy countries. Dissipate my free time fly fishing and shooting.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Masumian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for a book of Ed Ahern's poetry to come out, and it was worth the wait. This collection, Irregular Images, is thought-provoking and fun to read.

Poems that explore feelings of regret, the dichotomy of the good self and bad self, the effect ancestors have on us, and other intriguing themes fill these pages and keep the reader totally engaged. Among my favorites are "Firelight," "Dining Alone," "The Wake," "The Layer Cake," "O'Leary's Drive-Thru," "A Movement in the Shadows," and "Legacy." Some tell a story, some present a fascinating image, some cause a snicker or giggle. Ahern, we come to see, often writes with a twinkle in his eye.

Most interesting is the impression of regretful reminiscences that define some of the poems, a glimpse into past failings, hints at nearly hidden fears and past hatreds, and suggestions of sleepless nights. All in all an enjoyable set of poems.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the poems in this volume are metaphysical in outlook, yet some of my favourites are those that tell a story, like The Wake, in which a man tells another, silently, how much he despises him, and Telling a Fortune, which reveals the fortune-teller’s point of view. And, some are darkly humorous, like The Urchin Response and O’Leary’s Drive-Thru. There's something here for every mood.

[David Anthony Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward Ahern's collection of poems, "Irregular Images," bears reading, but the quality is indeed irregular. His "At the Cottage" is a fine example of a sestina and "The Shoal" has a simple eloquence. You do have to read through others that are less engaging or not up to the same quality of craftwork.