We reviewed Darren’s first collection of poetry, Honey Dew, earlier this year. His latest collection, The Machinery of Life, engagingly explores the idea of love through many perspectives; presented with an impressive range of characters, including the questioning self, Sid Vicious, Nietzche and the classical gods.
Many of these poems successfully negotiate the central oppositions of emotional disturbance and the affirmation of recovery. Rich in sentiment, they are never sentimental; delineating the heart’s vicissitudes with original, energetic imagery and an eye for pertinent and striking detail. Also some delightful playfulness: ‘ Blocked Heart ‘ ends; ‘ I put in a call to Dynorod / for my heart ‘.
Published as an ebook, please contact D.Beaney@bsms.ac.ukfor more information.
