Words From The Wild

“Dedication to conservation is vital for our species to survive and we thank Mark for his contribution via his rare talent in poetry. Part of our awareness in ‘Demand Reduction’ campaigns is: visual art, theatre, music and dance, with words and motions displayed in fitting performances. In this case the ‘Words’ speak for themselves and hopefully will stir readers of this book into action.” Grant Fowlds, Conservationist, Author, Amakhala Founder
Mark Graham, the author of Words from the Wild, has written poetry in support of charities both in the UK and South Africa. This, his second book, is written in support of the Amakhala Foundation which provides conservation education to communities around the Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, SA. Many of the poems are humorous; all, it is hoped, are educational. The book is intended to act as a vehicle to raise awareness of the plight of South African wildlife and wildlife in general.

Weirdo Tales for the Littlie Mind

dear reader,

i must warn you that the following may entice you to a collection of stories that could leave you feeling curious and even a little odd. in these pages you will meet the part of me that is still a littlie, who often played alone finding solace in the sanctuary of imagination, yet struggled with the desire for a friend. don’t be fooled by the seemingly ordinary plot lines, there is more to these stories than meets the eye. within these pages you will find contentious topics that challenge societal norms, or stories that encourage children to think critically and form their own opinions, all in the hope to provide a neo-pedagogy-of-mutual-child-adult-parenting-experience. 

while these stories are perfect for littlies who may be eager to explore the weird world of the self, this children’s book is for all.

and while the tales may seem strange, they are full of magic, dreamy adventures of self-discovery and journeys of growth, hope and renewal. you’ll learn the joys of decluttering the mind from dull forgettable thoughts. you’ll witness the magic of watching something grow and thrive. you may learn the lesson that true comfort can come in the simplest of forms. the endless, arduous journey to search for true friendship is matched by the raw emotional struggles of our weird and wondrous mind. 

so if you are brave enough to venture into the world of the weirdo tarot, i invite you to turn the pages and explore the mysterious and peculiar, weirdo tales for the littlie mind.

yours weirdly,

the weirdo tarot

(be weird it’s normal)

Wavelengths

‘Wavelengths' is an exploration of light, colour and form through the creation of transfigured natural images.

The result is a series of multi-layered image-scapes exploring the spectrum of visible wavelengths and my fascination with refraction and the interaction of light and glass, taking the images through the colours of the rainbow.  

These images are linked to a selection of poetry that provides a sidelight on the images.

One does not illustrate the other, but gives a different departure point for interpretation.

The poetry is chosen to have some relevance to the facing image  -  in a variety of styles, from 18th century to modern poets, and from well-known favourites to unknown poems.

Voyager

This poetry anthology provides reflections on a variety of topics ranging from nature, family, and transformative experiences. The experiences contained are not earth-shattering or unique, but everyday stories that could be told by everybody. Heather Riches has encapsulated these in a thoughtful but respectful way, and they will strike a chord with all who absorb them.

Verse and Worse

This book of poetry will appeal to those who can see life from a different perspective; for example, the author’s poem on Trousers, reflecting a different view of these everyday garments. His writing is both innovative and sometimes intense whilst also being humorous, such as Knickers and Bras and It’s the Dog that gets the Blame. His writing can also be political and controversial like his poem Black is White and can contain clear messages for political leaders.

The author’s insight into the lives of different people, as shown in Actors and Disability, shows a refreshing and informative view of life. His love of the countryside is clearly demonstrated in Beauty of the Countryside and in other poems. His writing is more punchy than mellifluous, reflecting his unique style of composition.

This collection of poetry is a worthy addition to the genre.

Unwavering

Opening the Window Into a Soul:

Confidence

Loneliness

Grief

Liberation

Power

Finding hope

Anguish

Tragic Relationships

Insecurity

Inner Torment

Revenge

Alienation

Love

Loss

Manipulation

Because What is Simple About Being Human?

Twenty-First Century Renderings

Twenty-First Century Renderings is a first collection of poems about love, culture and poetic influence from a new British poet, Christopher Dadson.

In this collection, Christopher explores themes of change, constancy and conflict through a broad range of forms and styles, from traditional sonnets and ballads through lyrical and dramatic monologue, to free verse and longer narrative styles.

His poems are straightforward on the surface but contain echoes of English and Spanish language poets through the ages, resulting in a contemporary collection that draws equally on early modern poetic tradition and present day experience.

To Fall and to Rise

The author puts his entire world on trial with the hope of breaking free from the shackles of his past. He desperately seeks a path that will see his dreams and desires fulfilled but must confront his fears, failures, and an unwilling mind along the way. 

Thoughts on Paper

These intriguing and immersive collections of poetry are the literal thoughts of the author on paper. They cover a (myriad) range of topics and sentiments, and the author hopes they evoke an emotional roller coaster for the reader.

This Soul of Mine

This book is a pocket universe, a small representation of life and what it means to experience it. Life is full of experiences that are worth celebrating. This book explores the sadness, tough times, and crippling moments that we encounter in life. From heartbreak and mental health struggles to the moments we look back on with regret, this book explores these moments, because we need to feel them.

This book explores the times when life is confusing and the times when we face experiences and feelings that are new to us. This anthology of poetry aims to navigate these experiences.

The Urban Narratives: Untold Stories

Presented through the reflective lens of a strong-minded psychological therapist, a quirky misfit turned poet, who embarks on a life-changing journey to collaborate with a community immersed in the legacy of slavery, to gain a deeper understanding of the daily lived experiences of black men in order to work together to make a difference.

An emotionally vulnerable and unflinching search for self-transformation, The Urban Narratives: Untold Stories asks searching questions about love, relationships, conflict, the cultural depictions of black men, toxicity, and how anger is both expressed and resolved to restore healthy relationships in black communities. This collection of poetry is inspired by reflections on real situations, conversations and life events, and will prove to be profound and inspiring for readers of all backgrounds.

The Spark: An Ode to Life

Through this book of poems, I wanted to express the dynamic mystery that is existence, as well as the innate essence of life that we each carry in us as human beings, and show how language can be a medium for pure desire, as well as the desired. Through this book, with verses that flow like dance and rhythms that silently echo as music, my wish is to bring the above to life, and to highlight a sense of magic upon you, the reader.

The title, The Spark: An Ode to Life, accentuates both the wild and calm nature of fire, and the words written on each page are like sparks ignited, celebrating creativity and possibility.

Upon these lines I strive to linger for moments upon the edge of the cliff, and then soar someplace within myself. Come, fly with me.