Edges

Many of James Aitchison's poems are about the natural world with its birds, fish and animals and the opposed nature of human technology. Varied memories from a long life also make his poems interesting. He writes in naturally rhythmic lines with meanings that suggest universal truths. James Aitchison's departure points are the suffering, errors, and monsters that might be ourselves, and he faces nature and humanity in language that has articulate energy. Sensitive to technological interventions in wild places, he writes with sympathy and anger for disappearing birds and animals, while devoting himself to the cultivation of fruits and flowers. He redeems instructive memories from personal sources that range from observations made long ago, through dream images of middle life, to the perceptions of older age. If we agree with William Carlos Williams that 'Memory is a kind of accomplishment', we might think too that James Aitchison, keeping to one memory per poem, achieves sound sense and vigorous conclusions. These poems will make many readers grateful, thoughtful, and ready for more trouble.