Explore the enchanting realm of Selkies, mythical creatures that can transform from seals into humans. Delve into their captivating stories that blend folklore and magic, revealing themes of identity, love, and the struggle between two worlds. Experience the rich cultural tapestry surrounding these beings, as their tales intertwine with the lives of those they encounter, highlighting the beauty and complexity of their existence.
Featuring 40 psalm-poems, this collection encompasses a range of themes, including praises, laments, and reflections on creation and ascent. It also includes a black-and-white reproduction of the medieval Psalter Map, adding a historical dimension. Accompanying the poems is a study guide designed for small groups, facilitating connections between the poetry, scripture, and personal spiritual journeys.
Exploring the theme of birth across diverse cultures, this collection of poems offers a unique perspective from a midwife's viewpoint. It captures the intimate moments of welcoming new life in various settings, including homes, hospitals, and birth centers in the U.S., Uganda, and the Philippine Islands. Each poem serves as a heartfelt address to the newborns, celebrating the universal experience of birth while highlighting the distinct practices and emotions associated with it in different parts of the world.
Medieval Literary and Cultural Contexts for the Transformation of Genre
Delving into the 14th-century Middle English poem, the analysis presents a multifaceted reading approach, suggesting it operates on four distinct levels: elegy, allegory, consolation, and revelation. By integrating medieval and contemporary genre theories, the work engages with ongoing scholarly discussions regarding the poem's significance. Additionally, it explores folktale elements and modern psychological insights on grief and trauma, advocating for a deeper appreciation of the poem's interpretive richness and its potential for new meanings.
Exploring themes of identity and connection, the poet embarks on a journey through America's cultural landscape, weaving in the Cherokee Creation story through imagined dialogues between Sky-Woman and First Man. The narrative reflects on childhood memories of a blood bond with a Cherokee friend and the profound significance of the birth of that friend's son, Usquaniqdi, whose name symbolizes a miracle. This work combines personal reflection with rich cultural heritage, highlighting the interconnectedness of past and present.
As Streatham, South London, still reels from the riots in neighbouring Brixton, Graham Jones, an ordinary father, grows fearful for his teenage daughter Judy who faces a world where the pace of change appears to be accelerating. But even he cannot predict what will happen next. A series of events is about to be unleashed over which he will have no control, and the lives of his family will change forever. When Judy claims to be seeing visions he will call it a miracle, and, to his wife’s horror, the hungry press will label their daughter ‘The Miracle Girl.’ Elaine, present when she came close to losing her daughter a first time - knowing it was the paramedics and surgeons who saved her - will demand a medical explanation. But Judy, refusing to become caught in this emotional tug-of-war, is adamant. She must tread her own path, wherever it takes her. Delusion, deception, diabolic…or is it just possible that Judy’s apparitions are authentic? ‘A brilliantly imaginative and quirkily fresh take on the world. Brimful of originality and creativity.’ The Literary Consultancy ‘An elegant and understated prose style with a very satisfying rhythm. This is really very good writing indeed.’ Debi Alper ‘Leaves one panting to read more.’ Jill Foulston
When you look in the mirror and ask the person staring back, Who are you? do you know the answer?At the age of forty-six, Anita Hall knows exactly who she is. She has lived with partner Ed for fifteen years and is proud of all they’ve achieved. They go out into the world separately: Ed with one eye on the future in the world of finance; Anita with one foot the past, a curator at Hampton Court Palace. This is the life she has chosen - choices that weren’t open to her mother’s generation - her dream job, equal partnership, freedom from the monotony of parenthood, living mortgage-free in a quirky old house she adores. The future seems knowable and secure.But then Anita finds herself standing in the middle of the road watching her home and everything inside it burn to the ground. Before she can come to terms with the magnitude of her loss, hairline cracks begin to appear in her perfect relationship. And returning to her childhood home in search of comfort, she stumbles upon the secret that her mother has kept hidden, a taboo so unspeakable it can only be written about.The reflection in the mirror may look the same. But everything has changed.Authentic and heartbreaking, Davis’s intoxicating new novel is an exploration of identity, not as a fixed point, but as something fragile, shape-shifting and transient
Exploring themes of nature and spirituality, this collection of poems captures the journey from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains. It reflects on the beauty of birds, the cycles of love and loss, and the emergence of new life, all while maintaining a deep awareness of the divine presence. Each poem invites readers to connect with both the physical landscape and the profound emotions that accompany such a transformative journey.
Exploring themes of childhood, blended families, and the complexities of relationships, this poetry collection delves into friendships among women, connections with men, and the profound bond between the poet and her God. Each poem reflects on personal experiences and emotional ties, capturing the essence of love, faith, and the journey of growth through various stages of life.
The collection explores the transformative journey of the butterfly, symbolizing personal growth and soulmaking. It captures the stages of this metamorphosis, from the initial greening as a caterpillar to the introspective cocooning in chrysalis, culminating in the joyous emergence and flight. Each poem reflects the beauty and freedom of self-discovery, inviting readers to embrace their own paths of transformation and celebrate the lightness of being.