Atlantic Memoir Comments

Atmospheric stanzas brushed lovingly across the page creating visual scenes. The language is rich and beautiful. This was my favorite stanza: We were little clots under the stars, our faces agog with the sun’s last glow. We sat over backgammon while he braved the void, his face pitted with meteor thoughts. Fantastic imagery used here. I do believe I've found another wonderful poet here. I certainly have found a wonderful poem. I plan on reading more of your work. Fantastic. Ashley

I'm with the undernamed who point out that this one opens up with further reads. I wondered about the first verse but was convinced and awed by the remainder on the first turn through. On the second I struggled to understand why I had doubts about that first stanza. There are many stunning lines in this Martin, where the profundity of observation is perfectly matched by the imagery. But the strength of so many individual lines doesn't in the least undermine the coherence of the whole. I was reminded of Conrad's power to transport the reader directly into the scene.

A delicious feast of sumptuous language. A pleasure to read and reread.

Extraordinarily luscious delineation from the capa to the coda. The four lines Wendy pointed out, are the poem's finest in my estimation too. I also thought 'his face pitted with meteor thoughts' and 'lapsing in an immense, perjured still' were rather spot on. This is the genuine article, Martin and I look ahead to enjoying more of your renderings. Kindest regards, Greg.

I have read this again, and it grows richer with each reading. I agree with Anne Leaver.

Atlantic Memoir is a great piece, worthy of the Faber Book of Modern Verse. Delightful reading. To be read again and again. I have to read all your poems very carefully and savour each stanza.

Martin The test of time makes a poem for me, and this one gets better every time I read it. Anne

We talk to each other through our books. And in the morning the city is still there. I misread: We walk to each other through our books -hmmm-- Well, this hurls that horrid realization of existence into our sense of the magical. I love it and hate it! Anne

Excellent, atmospheric, evocative piece Martin. But I notice you put the title into the text space when you are loading your poems....