Verses (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780994462022)

A collection of contemporary poetry by independent author, Chris Gill. Penned over the course of a decade, Verses details the writer's journey into adulthood, as he reflects on his past, present and future. It also makes observations about the world on a social, political and spiritual scale, which will leave you deep in thought and often able to relate.

The collection is split into six parts that tackle issues on both a macro and micro scale. Kicking off with the confessional Catacombs, the book promises to take its reader on an existential trip as the author picks apart fragments of his memory. The book then continues with Escape to the Docks, a darker, even haunting section that presents the reader with a narrative of the writer's student life. Expect themes ranging from hedonism to suicide.

The third part of the book, titled Home, reverts back in time to the author's childhood. Here we're given an intimate insight into the poet's early years through dream-like prose. The fourth section of the book, Wires, sees the experimental writer turn far more outward as he openly expresses his political views and concerns about the environment. This section includes the epic poem Wires, which takes the reader on a powerful exploration into the author's inner psyche.

The final two parts, Oracles under City Lights and The Other Side, follow Chris' life in both London and Sydney, with all the lessons taught along the way through the people he encountered and situations he found himself in.

If you think poetry is dull and outdated, Verses will open your mind and give you a taste of how contemporary poetry looks, sounds and feels. It proves that poetry, just like any other art form, exists to provoke emotion and empathy within its reader; leaving you enthralled and wanting more.