Illustration: Oriol Vidal
‘I am born
in the storm
of each second that we waste.’
(I am here p, 112)
Although poetry means a great deal to me and I read it often, I am only very occasionally moved to review poetry books for young readers. They need to stand out strongly to excite me enough to write them up. However here is one such stand out title, a collection whose apparent simplicity overlies keen perception and emotional depth.
Vignettes of life
Now a grandfather myself, but still cherishing dear, if distant, memories of my own ‘Grandpa’, I was particularly affected by the poem Blackbirds; it captures perfectly a grandchild’s feelings about a relationship that is so often precious but inevitably ephemeral. However this is not the only gem here. Again and again Matt Goodfellow fixes in skilfully words particular moments and thoughts from young lives. Here are the very real joys and losses of those growing towards adulthood, but. thankfully, not yet there. Many of the experiences reflected are extraordinary in their ordinariness - as young lives are. Others explore the trauma of difficult relationships and painful loss. (Darker Now is one of many sensitive and deeply moving examples.) They are poems with which many will identify; they will help young readers deal with their own feelings as well as developing empathy and understanding of the feelings of others..Yet overall Matt Goodfellow’s message is positive. He emphasises the joy and freedom that is to be found - if the young only look for it.
Adolescence
I think of this collection as adolescent poetry in a very positive sense, filling a vital gap in the available offerings. Not only does it hit very pertinently many issues of this age group, surely making it easy for a young audiencfind themselves there. It also bridges a gap between the lightheartedness of much children’s poetry and the challenge of many adult poems. This is to say, Matt Goodfellow skilfully crafts pieces that are short and accessible, yet are real poetry, not just entertaining verse. His poems are sometimes funny, sometimes surprising, but always communicate experience that feels deeply true. I would say that he repeatedly hits the nail on the head, were not that particular phrase so totally inapt for the subtle and sensitive way in which he captures the thoughts and feelings of the young. He is a refiner, a distiller of gentle spirit, and never hammers home his points. When he plays with words and form, which he often does, everything is cleverly employed in the service of what he has to say. And he has a great deal to say, even, and perhaps especially, when he says it simply.
Lose to find
The attractive cover and internal illustrations by Oriol Vidal reflect the spirit of the poems whilst also remaining strong and clear, adding to the accessible mindfulness of the whole.
This collection is subtitled Poems to lose yourself in; but even more these are poems for young readers to find themselves in. It has the potential to touch many young lives - and affect them for the better.
Were I still teaching (children of 10+ say) this is a book I would most certainly want close to hand. I never approve of young readers being force-fed books, even good ones, but this is a little volume that should discreetly be put in their way, in the hope that many will find it for themselves.
Note:
It seems that a new book by Matt Goodfellow is to be published this coming September, a verse novel called The Final Year. I am now looking forward to it keenly.