Rhys Milsom (Accent Press)
This collection of poems explores family, Welsh identity and disconnected emotions. Although all of the poems seem to touch at least one of those themes, The West Coast of Wales captures them all. It shows how people have become disconnected and unemphatic to the world around them. This is a common idea in today’s society and is usually blamed on the advancement of technology, however Milsom blames nothing but human nature. If anything, the description and inclusivity of nature suggests that humanity’s inability to feel emotions for things that are not attached to them is part of the earth’s natural balance as well as our own narcissistic personalities.
Many of the poems in this collection are from an extremely personal focal point. Because of this, although the texts are beautifully crafted, they did not create an opening for others to join in and experience these ideas collectively.
Prince: £9.99 Info: www.accentpress.co.uk (MM)