GEORGE NEWS - Acclaimed poet, surfer and long-time resident of George, Archie Swanson, launched his 4fourth collection of poems, of clay, at the George Library on Saturday 26 November.
The collection's first launch was at the McGregor poetry festival earlier this month.
Wolfgang Schrader, visual artist and owner of Blue Forest Books, was at hand to interview Swanson and unpack some of the treasures contained in this exquisitely crafted collection that ranges from meditations on the war in Ukraine and ecological issues to the inner corners of the poet's private world.
"My fourth collection has a great emphasis on the environment and the state of our society presently, including issues like war and exploitation of people," said Swanson.
"The book describes the fragility of our current situation. The mining of mineral sands on our coast, the dumping of toxic barrels on our beaches, overfishing where seals are dying. What's going to happen next?"
Dr Mike Hagemann calls Swanson's fourth collection "the work of a master poet, resound[ing] with wit, wisdom, and pithy observations that will challenge and delight readers in equal measure".
Dr Wamuwi Mbao, an essayist, literary reviewer and cultural critic who teaches English at Stellenbosch University, had the following to say:
"Swanson's poetry is expansively open to the world, yet resolutely introspective. It casts a net outward and asks us which meanings we will draw closer to shore. This collection celebrates the many quotidian textures that make up everyday life, reflecting these with understated lyricism and recasting what can be said in a deeply profound way".
Copies are available from Clarke's bookstore online (www.clarkesbooks.co.za) or via the poet, Archie Swanson (archie@migratus.net) at R150 a copy.
Swanson reading from of clay at the George launch of his book on Saturday.
Local poet Archie Swanson's fourth collection of poems, of clay.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
