i am ill with hope: poems and sketches by Gommie

by Gommie

In 2019 poet-artist Gommie began walking the coastline of an England with nothing but a backpack, a tent and an unusually large collection of pens. His aim? Searching for hope during increasingly hard times. 



From losing his way on the Dover Hills to bankruptcy in Rhyl and wild camping in Scarborough, Gommie’s extraordinary journey is still ongoing, and his findings, a deeply moving mixture of texture, illustration, poetry and verbatim conversations, are a gentle homage to the often-overlooked places we inhabit and the frequently forgotten voices we hear. Follow him @gommie_poem on Instagram.

Genres: Poetry

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intimate, personal and moving I Am Ill With Hope is exquisitely simultaneously painful and uplifting to read. Gommie has created found poetry that speaks for us all, but especially the lonely, the ordinary person and those who still believe in hope and love. I found reading I Am Ill With Hope gave me a physical sensation in my chest as if my very heart were being squeezed. There’s both a literal and metaphorical connection with humanity to be found here. I didn’t actually read the introduction until after I’d read the poems and when I did I found myself quite undone by Gommie’s hoest, self-deprecating words.

The presentation of the entries in I Am Ill With Hope truly affects their meaning. I especially loved those where I had to search amongst the illustrations to find the words – in much the same way as Gommie has searched across England and Wales to find those whose voices echo through the poems. More affecting still is the way the poet searches for himself along the way. We are all always looking for meaning in life and Gommie’s collection shows that so effectively.

The illustrations add depth and poignancy. I know absolutely nothing about art, but they seem simultaneously to have an intensity and a looseness so that they feel emotional and immediate, as if Gommie has taken the time to look closely at things others see only superficially and record their transience.

There’s something profound about how the ordinary or the marginalised in society have been given a sense of status and, indeed, immortality through I Am Ill With Hope. The collection is precisely of its time and yet also timeless, touching on themes of human connection, mental and physical health, loneliness and love, identity and belonging. I found it touched me deeply. I really recommend others to read it because I think they will find a little part of themselves they didn’t even realise was lost. I did.

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent an advance review paperback copy of this poetry book by the publisher, Salamander Street in exchange for an honest review – thank you very much!

The book “i am ill with hope” contains poetry and incredibly detailed pencil drawn sketches which often contain small poems hidden among the pencil strokes of the picture.
The sketches are all beautifully drawn and I found myself looking at each sketch carefully, taking in all of the hidden details.

Often the poems are simply snippets of conversation overheard by the poet during his adventure, walking the coastline of England starting in 2019. Other examples address emotions such as love, loneliness and fear – they often appear to have been sparked by opinions concerning the Covid pandemic, which would have been a major topic of conversation among the population during the timeframe of this endeavour. There is also a strong thread of anti-Conservative feeling and the book can be seen as a mirror held up to the consciousness of the British public during these confusing and frightening times. The poet often urges the reader not to panic, to seek out love and overall to hold on to hope.

I really love the artwork contained in this book and appreciate the poetry as well. It is mostly very accessible to non poetry readers and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys art.

[fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

honest and beautiful

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2019 Gommie, a poet artist walked the coastline of Britain seeking out people and their experiences.
This book is full of poems, illustrations and poet art that helps you visualise the people that Gommie came across on his travels and their real lives are illustrated in his work.
The illustrations are so detailed and you find yourself looking at them for some time.
The poems are little gems that give you the realism of the diffculties and the love in peoples lives.
I loved all of the parts of this book and know it will be one I will return to again and again.
It was such an honour to be allowed to read and review this book and many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Rebecca Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't claim to be massively into poetry but I was intrigued by this one. In 2019, artist and poet Gommie began walking the coastline of England and Wales. On that journey, he spoke to people, wrote his thoughts in poem format and illustrated them based on his surroundings.

Every image inside the book is stunning and I could honestly sit and stare at them all forever. Beautiful.

The poetry is, I want to say, candid. I have my favourites for sure but in my mind, poetry is totally subjective and down to the reader. I found I Am Ill With Hope to be a nice book to flick through. I smiled on occasion, whilst reading others I had to read a couple of times to analyse.

[Karolien ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to the title and premise of the book. The title “I am ill with hope” resonated with me a lot. And while I do think the book contains poems that I felt a connection to and that filled my expectations, I felt too much of the book was filled with filler poems or poems that I as a young person maybe can’t fully connect to. It’s a shame but that did affect my reading experience.

But I do want to give a big compliment to the use of illustration. It really adds a lot to the poems in my opinion and challenges the reader to interact with the poems in a creative manner.

[i · Rating 2 out of 5]

I receive the free copy from Edelweiss in exchange of honest review.

This one was kinda hard to read for me. The sketches are good, some poems hit close to home, but it's just all. Nothing much special about it.

[jamiereads92 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really really enjoyed it it was like a window into someone else’s brain and experience
“so, i go, as slow, as i can, and find, that i, still, have time.”
this book makes you want to be everything and nothing and everywhere and nowhere

[Amy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a thoughtful companion. A spacious contemplation which reminds me of life during lockdown, of the golden goodness of connection, and the joy of being open and curious.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some really good stuff, but I struggle to connect to the shorter poetry

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“so, i go, as slow, as i can, and find, that i, still, have time.”

[Loz Darwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off Thank you so much Salamander Street for my copy of I am ill with hope to read and review.

This is the first poetry book I've read since my teens, something that after reading Gommie I must change.
I am ill with hope gave me a beautiful and sometimes heart tugging look at peoples thoughts and feelings about the pandemic and lockdown at the time. Then at other times had me chuckling at the British humour.
His sketches along side were lovely too, the postcard that accompanied this book is sitting on my bookshelf 😊

[Eli Toyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Gommie at The Other Art Fair earlier this year and was immediately captured by his work. The simplicity yet poignancy of his work, alongside the delicate ink drawings surrounding his poetry. No unnecessary embellishments just words that should be said.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance readers copy of this book.

I Am Ill With Hope is a beautiful book that’s full of poems, illustrations and art that really helps you feel connected to the people that Gommie meets along his travels. Each page feels like you get to really experience other people’s lives.

The illustrations are detailed and lovely. They are the kind that you want to frame and hang on your wall. Whenever I opened the book, I found myself staring at the pages as I wanted to be able to take in every little detail.

Each poem feels like you’re meeting a new person. You can feel the realism of each conversation that the poems are based on.

I am so honoured and happy that I was able to read this book and I want to say a huge thank you for the author and publisher.