#Poetry #Book #Reviews: “Sheep on the Somme, A World War I Pictures & Poetry Project,” by Frank Prem, @frank_prem

51 Comments

Your Next Poetry Book Read!

I’ve created a spot here on Word Craft Poetry for poetry book reviews. You’ll find this new category listed in the Navigation menu at the left of the blog. I’ll try to review a couple of books a month. Stay tuned.

Amazon.com (Hardcover or Paperback only)

From the Author

In this Picture Poetry collection, journey with the AIF, the ANZACS and the German and French armies at war on the Western Front during the Great War of 1914 – 1918.

Have your photo taken in a studio in Cairo, and your heart broken on a small street in Ballarat.

The bombs are falling in an endless fusillade of artillery fire from both sides of the conflict, turning the Somme into a clagging stew of slurried mud and maddened men.

Frank Prem has taken images of men at war and created verse stories to accompany them and to tell you that this war is hell.

Welcome. Welcome to the Somme.

Amazon.com

My Recommendation

Frank Prem takes his poetry to new heights in this thoughtful poetry/picture book inspired by a photograph used as the cover for a World War I history book titled, The Great War, and written by an Australian journalist, Les Carlyon. He shares how that one image deeply affected him and set him on a search through hundreds of images archived online in War Memorial Museums and State and National Libraries.

Frank Prem is known for his image inspired poetry, and this book was an emotional read. I could tell he responded to the images viscerally by the tone of his poetry. Each image told its own story to Frank, and he wrote from the heart.

This author writes freestyle poetry that mimics syllabic poetry in its brevity of words. Like the photos, his words are stark reminders of the horrors of war told from an Australian perspective. I wondered if he channeled the ghosts of those forever enshrined in those historical photographs. Sometimes it seemed as if they’d whispered their stories to him because his poetry seemed to capture their souls.

Many thanks to the author for providing me a PDF copy of this book. The photographs and the poetry moved me deeply. If you’re a collector of World War I memorabilia, this book would make a handsome addition to your collection.

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51 Comments

    2. Hi Denise. Thank you.

      I haven’t done a digital version. The thought of trying to tame so many images for digital was a bit much for me, and no guarantee they would end as an acceptable representation.

      If you’re interested, I have a number of youTube readings posted.

      Thanks again.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Colleen, Thank you so much for a wonderful review of Sheep On The Somme. I’m so glad you enjoyed the work. Those images are very transportive, I think, and affect me at a glance, even now, after working with them.

    I’ll reblog the review over to my place, to share with a few more folk. Maybe get them fired up a little over syllabic poetry!

    Frank

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Frank. I noticed how your own poetry has evolved into short thoughts… I like it. After the beginning of the year, I intend on interviewing poets on wordcraftpoetry.com to talk about their writing and poetic styles. I’ll email you when I get my next book finished. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. That would be lovely, Colleen, and I’ll look forward to it.

        I’ve just finished work on 2 collections that have been demanding time, but I think I will attempt to create my next book-form collection out of 17 syllable poems. I’ll make sure to get a copy to you if and when!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  10. Reblogged this on Frank Prem Poetry and commented:
    My thanks to Colleen Cheseboro for her wonderful new review of Sheep On The Somme.

    It is quite marvelous to realise that a piece of work – a labour of love for the author – resonates and affects others. Readers from all over. It is humbling and gratifying and inspiring all in a single breath.

    Colleen is a fine practitioner and proponent of syllabic and short poetry as well as being inclined to the faerie and the fey.

    I recommend a visit over to her place to read this and other reviews and to peek around to see the treasures for yourself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Frank’s book, Colleen. I have seen it a couple of other places with equally wonderful reviews. I think it needs to be added to my TBR list!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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