Our featured publication for March and April is Palmer by R. M. Francis, published by V. Press.

“These poems offer what feels like a privileged insight into the poet’s intense and sensitive spirituality, and his view of the world around him. Personal yet ambitious in its spiritual reach, this poetry captivates the reader with its close attention to detail and language. It reminds us of the natural relationship between religion and poetry, and is a compelling poetic experience.” Sally Read

“R. M. Francis’ Palmer is a vestry where the choral chanting of sainthood echoes off the walls. His poems are burning votive candles to sacred spaces and experiences while wearing the vestments of humanity; the body, attention, parenthood. These poems are lovingly put together and are ultimately ‘kissing in the presence of’ the divine, saints and being human.” Roy McFarlane

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Palm Sunday

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Feet Washing

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Empty Tomb

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Marriage

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R. M. Francis is senior lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing at the University of Wolverhampton. He’s the author of novels, Bella and The Wrenna, poetry collections, Subsidence and The Chain Coral Chorus, and short story collection, Ameles / Currents of Unmindfulness. He was the inaugural David Bradshaw Writer in Residence at the University of Oxford and served as poet in residence for the Black Country Geological Society. His academic work has been published in journals and edited collections. He is Reviews Editor for the Journal of Class and Culture. His latest poetry chapbook is Palmer, published by V. Press.

Copies of Palmer are available to purchase from the V. Press website, here.