Memory Tree by Gareth Culshaw

Memory Tree is crammed with imagery, giving glimpses of the lives of dog walkers, cleaners, miner's wives, and builders. Culshaw's people are the locals - 'there's rain, there's sky dishes, small back gardens/ a neighbour who swops him a handshake'. Gareth Culshaw has an alert, original eye, and a tumbling, energising use of metaphor - 'There's a light behind each eye, maybe shines, or dims/ with each drag of his rollie'. This is a collection to savour. - Jean Atkin

Hendon Press