Only Air
Published on 1. March 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
100 pages
978-1-911570-59-2 (ISBN)
Description
Only Air is a deeply personal collection of poems which explore what it is like to go through a life changing accident and then to re-exist in a world that is suddenly unfamiliar. It is a story of making sense of a new way of surviving and beliefs once held whilst trying to overcome barriers, prejudices and labels. Sometimes moving other times a wry humorous account of memories, this is part biographical with a healthy mix of reflection. This collection considers what it means to be part of a family, being alive when you don't conform, and making your journey when the way you perceive yourself is often very different to the ways others observe you. At its very core, this is a discovery of what it means to be normal and to regrow.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight
97 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-911570-59-2 (9781911570592)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
In 1996, aged 16, Stephen experienced a life changing accident when he hit a tree whilst sledging in the snow. He is now paralysed from below the waist. In 2016, twenty years after the accident, he started writing poetry about his life as a wheelchair user.
He has since spoken at events across the UK in venues such as the Watershed, Arnolfini and Tobacco Factory in Bristol, the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool and the Poetry Cafe and Rich Mix in London. He dreams of reading in his Northern accent in New York.
Through a diverse range of courses, workshops and mentoring Stephen has benefited from the knowledge and expertise of some of the UK's most respected poets and he has tried to put all he has learned into his writing.
He will always be grateful to his mum for taking him to see Roger McGough in Accrington, Lancashire, when he eight years old and sparking a lifelong love of poetry. Stephen hopes to eventually meet Roger in person and say thank you. He can be found on most social media channels via @spokeandpencil. Only Air is Stephen's first poetry collection.
He has since spoken at events across the UK in venues such as the Watershed, Arnolfini and Tobacco Factory in Bristol, the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool and the Poetry Cafe and Rich Mix in London. He dreams of reading in his Northern accent in New York.
Through a diverse range of courses, workshops and mentoring Stephen has benefited from the knowledge and expertise of some of the UK's most respected poets and he has tried to put all he has learned into his writing.
He will always be grateful to his mum for taking him to see Roger McGough in Accrington, Lancashire, when he eight years old and sparking a lifelong love of poetry. Stephen hopes to eventually meet Roger in person and say thank you. He can be found on most social media channels via @spokeandpencil. Only Air is Stephen's first poetry collection.