NICK ARMBRISTER REVIEW OF ROSIE GARLAND BOOK AS IN JUDY

NICK ARMBRISTER REVIEW OF ROSIE GARLAND BOOK AS IN JUDY

Being a writer of poetry and fiction stories, I was happy to review As in Judy by Rosie Garland. His is the first book I’ve read of Rosie’s and I think it’s a good start. Why? It contains a variety of poems of mix in equal emotional and subject matter.

There are some poems of family situations seen thru the eyes of a little girl. Images abound here: a Ford Cortina with a sun roof; the poignancy of a funeral, even more so of possessions in a box; a sweetheart chin and button nose lead to the threat of wives stuffed and mounted on a hunter’s wall, an ex friend’s childish psychotic fairytales.

Other poems feature cancer. From questions asked to someone with cancer, to two women on a cancer ward joking about their shared disease, those types of poems make you think: this could be me. Powerful and memorable pieces.

Work covers lovers. The anticipation of future sex; what we all relate to including the ‘last goodbye’, actually sneaking out of the house and leaving a soon to be ex partner.

The poem on buttocks is simply superbly sublime!

The final poem is about a Greek myth. A long piece. Instead of being a wall flower escape and take charge of your life!

My favourite poems include:

Belief Systems where it lists many childhood myths like if you dig a hole and keep digging then you’ll reach Australia. Also included are kissing gets you pregnant. The poem ends with the line: ‘if you just do what he wants’. The things are of male control over women. Strong women defy the man!

Left. Right. A wooden box containing odds n ends from an old soldier now gone. There is discipline, order, many comrades, a war hovering in the background? The powerful almost mystical legacy of a soldier represented most powerfully by a single button. Also unsaid is what their generation did for Great Britain. Standing strong against the Hun.

Cocaine Mummy reminds me of the Dutch prostitutes I once saw on TV. Lazily sat behind a window with all on display, waiting for trade. Powerful imagery on the oldest trade.

Langsuyar is equal to classic Liz Hand horror, if she wrote dark gothic poetry. A bewitched femme fatale needs satisfying and her curse/spell lifting by all necessary means. A classic poem.

Funeral Songs is a nice honest poem about later, when we die. As the title says, funeral songs. What song/s will you want played at your funeral? Rosie says: Think about it and choose the songs now and sing them too.

One image I like is getting rid of the wood chip wall paper is good when redecorating a new house. Out with the 70s and in with a new life!

This book is very recommended. It’s funny, serious, erotic, gothic and much more. If Rosie’s book was described to me, I’d say it’s a rock n roll album, such is the content. Wicked stuff.