Straight Ahead

by Oliver 'dip' Welch

These poems capture intimacy, loss, fragmentation, and delight - being alive in all its colors. The book follows the trajectory of a life through childhood, breakdown, and love, recording on the way the million sufferings and hopes of everyday life. The poems move rapidly between contrasting experiences and emotions, from violence to madness, yet are held together by Clare Shaw's ever-present love of language, her celebration of sound, rhythm and imagery. Shaw has personal experience with mental instability, having suffered frequent admissions to psychiatric wards in her young adulthood. These experiences motivated her to fight to improve mental health services. Through work, postgraduate study, publications, and activism, she has become a recognized voice on women's mental health issues.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published February 15, 2006

Reviews

[J Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Clare and all their work.