He does this in The White Clock.
Marshall's poems are full of understated and wry thoughts. He mines history, literature and his own memories to produce poems that simply make the world a better place.
Sometimes these poems have a ring of ''write a poem about ..'' but Marshall usually gets it right. He has been around for a long time.
I do like how he can be reflective, touching and vital.
''Evening'':
Now it is evening.
Ambitions of the morning
have been rescinded and modest
accomplishment, or less, tacitly accepted.
Now it is evening.
There have been voices and
colours, minor travails and triumphs
fragrances that usher essential memories.
Now it is evening.
Unclench the imagination, accept
the tally sheet. Each day is a small life
drawing to its close of embracing darkness.
Grahame Sydney's painting Ida Valley Moon looks brilliant on the cover of this classy book.
- Hamesh Wyatt lives in Bluff. He reads and writes poetry
