P. J. Kavanagh was a poet, prose writer, and columnist whose work explores human connections and the search for meaning in the everyday. His poetry, often described as substitute poems, is characterized by keen observation and a reflective tone. Kavanagh's engagement with diverse art forms and travel experiences informs his prose, weaving personal history with broader cultural and historical contexts. His writing excels at finding profound truths in ordinary moments, offering readers both solace and contemplation.
Written with a poet's precision, The Perfect Stranger is a funny, absorbing and brilliantly portrayed rite of passage. Driving the narrator is a desire to recount the effect of a singular young woman; the love of her and the loss of her.
Poems chosen by listeners to Poetry Please - ballards, satires, songs or prayers - for every mood and taste.