Failing Light

Poems by Gerard Rochford

Thursday 31 March 2011
6.30pm–8pm

Books and Beans
22 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JH

Admission free

Gerard Rochford launches his new collection Failing Light, with guests Bryony Harrower and Louise Counsell. Failing Light is a handcrafted publication from Embers Handpress, whose previous authors have included Sylvia Plath, Lorca and Basho. The evening will also include open mic opportunities.

◊

These quietly startling poems surprise with their precision and imaginative richness...

Michael Dennis Browne, poet and professor emeritus, University of Minnesota

◊

...explores love and loss, separation and connection... delicate and often witty observations of birds and animals... sensitively observed human relationships. An engaging collection.

Magi Gibson, Makar: City of Stirling

◊

The ghazals [in this collection] leap across the space between poet and reader and root inside you. You won't forget their power and insights.

Lorna Crozier, poet and chair of writing, University of Victoria, British Columbia

◊

I read "Failing Light" in one sitting. I will return. This poet takes the reader to dark, joyful, troubling, tender places with a great sureness of rhythm, word and cadence.

Olivia McMahon, poet

◊

...an amazing new collection — perfectly edited and toned, real, natural, heartbreaking at times... makes you feel you're actually there... moments brought to life by a very insightful poet. Brilliant!

Grant Fraser, poet

◊

Gerard Rochford's previous publications include Eating Eggs with Strangers, The Holy Family and Other Poems, and Figures of Stone (Koo Press). He is included in Janice Galloway's selection of Best 20 Scottish Poems of 2006, for the Scottish Poetry Library. A featured poet on Poets Against the War, he is currently Makar for the online political and cultural affairs magazine Scottish Review.

Visit the Embers Handpress website.

Visit the Scottish Review website.

Thanks to the staff of Books and Beans for hosting this event.