The Lake
“All of writing is a huge lake. There are great rivers that feed the lake, like Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky. And then there are mere trickles, like Jean Rhys. All that matters is feeding the lake. I don't matter. The lake matters. You must keep feeding the lake.” Jean Rhys
Inspired by Jean Rhys’ imperative, The Lake is dedicated to publishing all forms of poetry by new and established poets, highlighting the best of contemporary poetry and reviewing the best of the new books.
February Contributors
Peter Cashorali, Mike Dillon, Catherine Edmunds, Angela France, Martha Ellen Johnson,
Tom Kelly, Kate Noakes, Marion Oxley, Jenny Robb, Kerry Ryan,
Hannah Stone, A. R. Williams.
Reviews
David Mark Williams reviews Roger McGough’s Collected Poems: 1959-2024.
Hannah Stone reviews Bob Beagrie’s Romanceros.
Charles Rammelkamp reviews Oksana Maksymchuk’s Still City.
J. R. Solonche reviews Stephen Cramer’s Shakespeare Redacted.
One Poem Reviews
Mridul Dasgupta, Sarah Dixon, Alan Price.
Reviewed in future issues:
JOHN MURPHY’S NEW BOOK NOTES.
Available soon on this website.
The poems in this book focus on artists and producers in the music industry, covering all major genres: rock, jazz and blues as well as influential record producers. Some of the twenty three artists in the poems; Joni Mitchell, John Mayall, Cleo Laine, Chuck Berry, Brian Wilson, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Paul McCartney, Tubby Hayes, Phil Spector, Blossom Dearie, Graham Nash, and more.
'Notes' interweaves two of John Murphy's loves drawn from a lifetime as a poet and musician. This engaging, eclectic collection spans best-beloved songs, singers and producers in a personal homage to the power of popular music. Choosing exemplars from Doris Day to Dylan his writing honours its massive contribution to contemporary culture.
Pippa Little, author of Time Begins to Hurt
More than a collection of poems, 'Notes' takes us on a journey of appreciation of some of the key figures who made significant contributions to popular music in the 20th century The poems themselves vitally and vividly capture essential aspects of the artists and producers he has chosen to write about.
David Mark Williams author of The Odd Sock Exchange and Papaya Fantasia.
Murphy’s ear is true, as he “lowers the needle into the groove”, striking a chord with lovers of twentieth century popular music. “Honey-slick with the truth”, he re-animates the great singers and songwriters, in his own affectionate tributes.
Hannah Stone, editor, Dream Catcher