A bit of Byssus

Not sure why it has taken me so long to read Jen Hadfield's Byssus but wow it was worth the wait...I love the language, the clear emotion and the versatile form - including lots of wonderful prose poetry.

This is the Shetland-based poet's third collection and you can see it being recommended all over the place. And no wonder. Not just for Christmas! You can find it here http://www.picador.com/books/byssus

When spring comes it's all too bright and spiteful: blinding sky, blinding sea, daffodil shaws and laverick song. So I shut my eyes and spoot out my neck and hoop it like a swan and arch it for the blinding, bright-white sun to bite and smile the 'sex-starved smile'.

Writing the North

An opportunity to write the map of Shetland and Orkney. A call for poetry and other writing geographically located in these islands of the North. All you do is find your location and add your poem.

Don't try to submit on our graphic above! We know you are too techie for that. Find out more here http://www.writingthenorth.com/writing-the-map/