Review of 2024: Part Three

Autumn of 2024 was busier than ever for Wheelsong Books. This is part 3 in our review of the year. Part one can be read at this link and part two can be viewed here.

August

As August began, Wheelsong's next publication was released. It was Storming Oblivion by the mercurial New York poet Peter Rivers. This book was Peter's first full collection of published poetry and it certainly caused a small storm with its moody cover design and extraordinary poetry. 

Writing about his debut collection, Peter says:

This collection represents a journey through my own expression, recognizing the potential value within my own voice. Storming Oblivion will present tales of love, loss, fear, doubt, feelings that lack reciprocity and more. Travel with me on my road to self-discovery as I share the deepest parts of my soul with you in my quest for self-acceptance.

September

As the summer drew to a close and the leaves began to change colour, Wheelsong Books published an amazing collection of poetry titled Stealing Fire.  Written by Irish poet Tyrone M. Warren, Stealing Fire is a radical departure from much of Wheelsong's previous offerings. Tyrone is a poet with a difference. He speaks from his own experience about a number of challenging issues including domestic abuse, urban alienation and addiction. His writing is visceral, stream of consciousness style and it utterly captures your attention. Tyrone lived in London for many years but recently made his home in the idyllic Cornish countryside.

He says about his own writing craft:

It’s been a hard graft starting from scratch again and I feel a sincere gratitude to have had this opportunity like God heard my heart and I had the clarity to see and read the signs.

October

The much awaited Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 5 was published as Autumn decended. Edited by myself, with able assistance from Brandon Adam Haven and Charlene Phare, WSPA5 features poetry from all six continents, and has become just as popular as all its previous siblings. The cover art is a photo I took from street level of skyscrapers in Manhattan while working in New York in 2015. 

Containing poems in many styles and diverse themes, WSPA5 is an excellent addition to anyone's poetry collection, and features a number of new poets previously unpublished. 

As ever, sales of every book contribute to Wheelsong's charity donations, with more than £6,500 ($8,100) so far being given to Save the Children to help feed, provide health care and educate children in crisis. Wheelsong will continue to create these books for as long as there is an audience to read them. 

November

The final book of 2024 was published in November and it was quite a pleasant surprise to many poetry fans. Circus of Circles by young Irish poet Aoife Cunningham caused quite a stir, not only due to its fiercely vibrant cover art, but also because of the way the book created a new dimension for Aoife's dynamic and powerful spoken word performances. 

Much of her work in the book derives from personal mental struggles and dark, painful places, as well as life in a lage Irish family, but as ever it is all delivered with her inimitable wit and humour. Aoife presents her art with grace and style, always infused with the unmistakeable culture and charm of the Emerald Isle. 

We hope to hear a lot more from this talented young poet in the coming years. 

December

In the final month of the year Invisible Poets reached the significant milestone of 50,000 members. Less than 2 years old, the group thrives from a range of activities including several regular live shows from the UK, USA, Brazil and other countries, energising experimental poetry exercises and engaging writing challenges, many of which yield a diverse range of poems and creative works shared on the site. 

To celebrate reaching 50,000, Wheelsong has created a special T-Shirt which presents the slogan 'Poetry Against Poverty'. Needless to say, every sale raises a fair amount of money to support children in crisis across the globe. In the new year, Wheelsong has plans to establish an online store selling a range of merchandising that will further support Save the Children. Watch out for announcements on the group sites!

Previous parts of this annual review are available:

Review of 2024 (Part One)

Review of 2024 (Part Two)

Steve Wheeler

Synecdoche and Metonymy: Poetic Devices

Poetry is often hailed as the ultimate art form, I can understand why people say this. It has the power to evoke profound thoughts and emotions in both the writer and the reader. Two essential poetic devices that contribute to this are called synecdoche and metonymy. While these terms may initially seem daunting, they are actually quite simple and, with practice, can be easily incorporated into your own body of work. I was quite surprised that I have been using these methods even before I knew they were poetic devices and what they are called. These techniques can definitely enhance your poetry.  Synecdoche and metonymy are basically figures of speech that involve using a word or phrase to represent a larger concept or idea. In this blog, I will delve into the definitions of both these devices, provide examples of their usage within poetry, and explore how they enhance poetic expression. 

Explaining Synecdoche:

Synecdoche is a common literary device that involves using only a part of something to represent the whole or it can be vice versa. This can also involve using a specific member of a category to represent the entire group. The effectiveness of synecdoche lies in its ability to convey complex ideas or emotions in a concise and impactful manner. By focusing on a specific detail, the poet can provide a deeper and symbolic insight into the larger context.

Example 1:

"Nice wheels, George Jones ."

In this example the phrase "Nice wheels George Jones.” is used as a synecdoche to represent an entire car. The word "wheels" is used to refer to the whole motor vehicle. See how clever and witty Synecdoche can be. 

Example 2:

"All hands on deck, except Donald Dole” 

The initial part of this phrase is commonly attributed in various shows and books , this one in particular employs the synecdoche of "hands" to represent the entire group or team, instead of fleshy human hands. It implies that everyone is needed for an assignment, a particular communication or task at hand… well except for poor Donald Dole that is as he was left out perhaps due to his shenanigans. 

Explaining Metonymy:

Metonymy is practically a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted with another word or phrase that is directly associated with it. Unlike synecdoche, which focuses on parts representing wholes, metonymy involves using related concepts or attributes to represent a larger idea. This device allows poets to add layers of meaning and create vivid imagery through indirect associations.

Example 1:

"Brandon you need to hit the gym”

In this example, “Brandon you need to hit the gym” is a slang phrase that incorporates metonymy because this is implied that Brandon needs get off of the couch and go to the gym and exercise rather than put on a boxing glove and literally punching the gym, which can be painful as you all know. The word hit is used symbolically for exercising. 

Example 2:

"Steve Wheeler brought down the house in Live Poets Society tonight."

Here is another clever use of Metonymy. Here this implies that Steve Wheeler put on a great performance compared to him crumbling a house literally on all of us. The term house symbolizes the audience.

There’s many benefits of Using Synecdoche and Metonymy which can expand the writers communication toward the reader by communicating complex ideas and feelings in a memorable way. This can also enhance the imagery of your poem, more effective use of symbolism and can add different layers of meanings in the writer’s composition.

Synecdoche and metonymy are powerful poetic devices that allow for concise and impactful communication. These figures of speech enable poets to represent complex ideas or emotions by using a part to represent the whole or by associating related concepts. By employing synecdoche and metonymy, poets can enhance their imagery, convey layered meanings, and create powerful symbols. The use of these devices enriches the reader's experience, making poetry a vibrant and profound art form. I encourage you to experiment with these methods and poetic devices, and I look forward to reading your articulations that implement these techniques.

Brandon Adam Haven 

A Book Review Of “This Broken Home” by Brandon Adam Haven

A presence engulfs the room… a shadow of darkness unidentifiable save for immense gravity weighs down upon your weary soul. Yet beyond the darkness, a light of hope beckons close within your grasp… which shall you finally embrace?

This struggle of balance between dark and light is at the heart of “This Broken Home”, the newly published Wheelsong work of Brandon Adam Haven. A complete dark thriller exploring the darkest stygian depths of despair at the surface, an undercurrent of redemption lies at the heart of the book. Written with such an exemplary and exciting emotive spirit, this tension perpetuates the turning of the page to see what is next!

“This Broken Home” elevates emotional themes started within Haven’s last brilliant work “Into The Grey”. His life experiences overcoming crippling addictions, near death health issues, and diminishing personal loss fuel his poetry into a supernova like heat that often burns with every word. Haven’s effort is both captivating and relevant to anyone coping with this existence.

In addition to poignant poetry, the book explores haunting themes within three entertaining short stories as well. Adding a surprising dimension to the writers work, quick zingers such as “The Tale Of Marybelle Lynn” suggest shades of Edgar Allan Poe within a tragic haunting love story of a troubled man and a beautiful apparition. 

“The Orchard of Montery ” is a complete to be continued frightfest of a demonic scarecrow that harrowingly murders a family moving into a haunted house. Also, “The Cleansing Of Monieden” offers a quick tale of an island kingdom that celebrated its own health by drowning the disabled, only to have them return from the dead to vengefully return the favor. 

Haven’s ability to capture suspense by delightful yet frightening uses of characterization and detailed actions within extremely creepy settings make his macabre stories fabulously enjoyable.

His assembly of poems carry the book to even higher heights with offerings like “Where Time Froze”, which extends the metaphors of the book’s title with lines like:

This crumbling home so bare and amort

Succinct with frozen smiles and imputed faith 

They endure through time spoken softly

Denigrating to the core with silent decay

The use of words like “decay” “faded” and “grey” continually reflect the authors affected condition throughout the book in poems such as “Back Into The Grey”, “The Necropolis Of Solitude”, and “Lost In Time”.  The complexities of reconciling loss are explored in diverse angles as well in gems like “The Glowing Cinema” and “The Carousel Of Dreams”.

Havens poetic imagery and superlative emotional navigation continue to soar with ambitious forays into expression like “Far Harbor” and “”Amber Night”, the latter which glimmer with the following golden nuggets lines:

I dashed to earth the summer air

Charmed by light, whisper and motion

Let me dwell by the frenzied lair

As I continue forth my notion 

The succinct dark poetry breathes so heavily throughout this work, it almost supersedes the other more prevailing elements of hope. A redemptive spirit begins to take shape from the middle to the end of the book in such showstoppers as “Visions Of Angels”, “Scarlet Leaves”, and “Afraid Of Dying”.  

More than merely poems, Haven’s diverse turns captivate the reader with what the author no doubt experienced nearly dying upon a number of occasions . They come out of his own relations with life and death and all the shattering realms in between.

Stand out redemption poems such as “Awaken”, “The Amorist”, and “New Day” solidify an unseen foundation on which the author built the dark structure of this collection. The following phrases from “Awaken” suggest an ascent from the prevailing abyss…

I loathe rise and glow in such a glimmering shine

Love and hope, chisel away the stone of my heart

To many tears lately I’ve shed

Now for hopefulness to embark

In addition to the next level poetry and prose Brandon displays, the accompanying illustrations accentuate each poem and story. Pictures taken by the author himself provide a focused visualization into an image of what each work symbolizes. These images really carry the book, and excite the imagination.

“This Broken Home” not only illuminates Haven’s elevated progress with narrative and poetic forms, it also allows us an insight into even higher heights he has yet to achieve. Brandon’s is a completely original style that is not only enjoyable to read, but challenges the limits of our very souls with masterful expression and extensive  knowledge of the poetic craft.

For Brandon Adam Haven, this book represents just another riveting halt along a long winding road of original perspective and interpretation of what life has to offer… with many stops to come of awe-inspiring views of life along the way. These voluptuous vistas of future work will be well worth the wait, as Haven continues to grow and mature to the enjoyment of today’s modern poetry world.

Matt Elmore

You can purchase your copy of Brandon's new book by clicking on this link or by emailing Wheelsong Books.

Behind The Scenes: Live Poets Society

Steve Wheeler’s Live Poets Society has become quite a hit on Facebook, and continues to draw a bigger audience each week. I have hosted a few shows, my favorites with fellow poet colleague and friend Brandon Adam Haven. Brandon being at the helm has given the show even more of a boost with his fluid talent and extensive, yet humble, expertise.

Together, we currently tackle the duties of putting on a quality video poetry broadcast for Invisible Poets, Steve’s show being the flagship of Live Poets Society. Steve named to title as a tongue in cheek nod to the Dead Poets Society movie with Robin Williams. 

Fellow Wheelsong author and alumni Charlene Phare has also enjoyed quite a following with her “No Holds Barred” program of similar tone and content. We can’t wait to see her at it again soon!

Reading of the poems lies within “performing” them… giving them all breath and life… with inflections on key words. 

Reading poems is only a small part of the effort to make this kind of show possible. It is the selection of poems that makes the job a challenge. It starts with allowing for a negligible size, format, and content as Steve pointed out in his last blog. Should you have an interest in being on the show you MUST  check it out in this link… 

 https://wheelsongbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/how-to-get-your-poem-read-on-live-poets.html?m=1

Promoting the best poets is what we do… only next level poems make it on the show. With the growing number of Invisible Poets Group memebrs on Facebook, we’ve found that it takes two shows to do all the poets justice. I don’t believe any other group that I know of is doing two shows a week of this magnitude on social media. Invisible Poets is becoming a premiere poetry group!

Incorporating humor is also an essential element of this particular show… as Steve has his occasional “cleaners” dropping in… or poet dog barking up a soliloquy. For Brandon and I, it is our rap names of BDizzle and Big Stack, or aliens behind me, or whatever is happening around us. We love to be silly and serious both. It gives the show wings. 

I personally believe if the show is a joy to host, which it really is, then it will be a joy to watch, which it has been for poets and poetry admirers both. 

Please join Brandon and I live on Tuesdays at 8 PM UK & 3 PM USA Eastern Standard time… and catch the mothership with Steve on Fridays at the same respective times. Join us and hear quality poetry done up right.

Matt Elmore

Wheelsong Books Review of 2023

2023 has been an amazing year for Wheelsong Books. I established the company in 2020 during the early months of the pandemic, basically for something to do. I set it up as a not-for-profit company to promote new and emerging voices in poetry, and also to raise much needed funds for Save the Children - a global relief charity. 

What did Wheelsong do in 2023? 

January saw the publication of the first book in the Symphoniya de Toska trilogy by American writer Marten Hoyle. Its January 19th publication coincided with the birthday of one of his favourite poets, Edgar Allen Poe. Marten's second publication was released on April 9th, the birthday of Charles Baudelaire, and the final instalment was published to coincide with the birthday of another of Marten's favourite dark writers, H. P. Lovecraft, on August 20th. How's that for symbolism?

In late February, together with my good friend Charlene Phare the Facebook group Invisible Poets was launched. The name was an ironic swipe at the fact that most poets go unnoticed and uncelebrated even though they may actually be quite brilliant (and in many cases better than those who are well-known, highly visible, published poets. The group quickly flourished, and now, at the time of writing this post, has reached 15,000 members. 

Also in February, Tunisian bard Rafik Romdhani released his third book, Vapour of the Mind through the Wheelsong Books label. As in previous books, Rafik excels in the use of rich imagery, metaphor and awesome insights into his life in North Africa. 

In March Wheelsong Books announced the call for poems for Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 2. The anthology was published in April with a stunning cover photograph (courtesy of Kerry Cole) and sold quite nicely, raising around £450 ($565) for Save the Children. As with all Wheelsong Books, it is still available on Amazon and other online outlets worldwide. In the same month I published a book called Nocturne, which featured a lot of poetry about the night, sleep and dreams, and darkness. 

In June, Matt Elmore's first poetry collection, the sublime Constellation Road was published and this was followed closely in July by Imelda Garcia's debut collection Beyond the Pyre for Wheelsong. Both books contain some stratospheric poetry, and both deserve a wide readership for their brilliance. 

September saw the publication of Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3, which featured a stunning image by photographer Lynda Clifton. Containing over 200 poems from more than 100 poets, Anthology 3 has already sold 400 copies and continues to be available. We have so far donated £750 ($940) to Save the Children for their relief initiatives from the sales of this book.

December saw the publication of Brandon Adam Haven's second poetry book, This Broken Home, which is a darkly gothic collection of somewhat disturbing poetry and horror flash fiction. If you intend to read this book alone, I strongly advise you to keep all your lights on. 

We also relaunched Live Poets Society, which now goes out live twice each week, on Friday at 8pm (UK time) and on Tuesday at 3pm (US Eastern time). Viewing numbers have been on the increase, which this shows a healthy interest in the spoken word and live performance poetry.

The Wheelsong Books blog was also launched in the summer, with regular posts about poetry from me, alongside Matt Elmore, Brandon Adam Haven and Charlene Phare, alongside guest posts. It has so far attracted almost 30,000 views and there are some amazing, thought provoking posts on all aspects of poetry and creative writing. 

That was 2023. Let's raise a glass to the coming year and do our best to keep poetry remains alive and kicking. Wheelsong Books has a long list of publications waiting in the wings, including two more anthologies!

Steve Wheeler

The Rhythmic Magic of Syllable Counting

Poetry with its rich tapestry and variety of words, have the ability to captivate and move us in very profound ways. One of the essential elements that contribute to the beauty and musicality of poetry is its rhythm. Syllable counting, a technique employed by poets across various cultures and eras, plays a vital role in creating a mesmerizing flow within a poem. I’ve been experimenting with this especially very much lately and I’ve been quite impressed with some of the rhythmic qualities and outcomes articulated. Thus in this blog we will explore the rhythmic effectiveness of syllable counting in poetry and how it enhances the overall flow, lending enchantment to the written word.

1. Establishing a Meter:

Syllable counting helps establish a meter, which is the underlying rhythmical pattern of a poem. By assigning a specific number of syllables to each line or stanza, poets create a consistent beat that guides the reader through the poem. Common meters include iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables) and haiku (three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern). This rhythmic structure enhances the flow and musicality of the poem.

2. Enhancing Musicality:

Syllable counting contributes to the musical quality of poetry. The deliberate arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables creates a natural ebb and flow, resembling the rise and fall of musical notes. When younger I used to be gripped by the melodies crafted into many of the works of Robert Burns. Syllable counting is a very alluring reason why I was captivated and inspired at an early age to poetry itself. This rhythmic interplay adds a melodic quality to the poem, engaging the reader's senses and creating a captivating auditory experience.

3. Controlling Pacing and Emphasis:

Syllable counting allows poets to control the pacing and emphasis within a poem. By varying the syllable count, poets can create a faster or slower tempo, influencing the reader's reading speed and breath. Shorter lines with fewer syllables may quicken the pace, while longer lines with more syllables can slow it down. This manipulation of rhythm adds depth and nuance to the poem, guiding the reader's emotional journey.

4. Achieving Poetic Balance:

Syllable counting helps achieve balance within a poem. By adhering to a specific syllable count, poets ensure that each line or stanza receives equal attention and contributes to the overall harmony of the composition. This balance aids in creating a sense of completeness and unity, allowing the poem to resonate with the reader on a profound level.

5. Enhancing Visual Aesthetics:

Syllable counting can also enhance the visual aesthetics of a poem. I have been finding this out more and more lately with my own compositions. Masterful poets often arrange their lines on the page in a deliberate manner, creating visual patterns that complement the rhythmic structure. The symmetrical placement of lines or the alignment of syllables can add to the overall beauty and impact of the poem, engaging the reader's visual senses alongside the auditory experience.

Syllable counting is a powerful technique that contributes to the rhythmic effectiveness and flow of poetry. By establishing a meter, enhancing musicality, controlling pacing and emphasis, achieving poetic balance, and enhancing visual aesthetics, syllable counting adds a layer of enchantment to the written word. Whether adhering to established poetic forms or experimenting with unique syllable patterns, poets can harness the magic of rhythm to create poems that resonate deeply with their readers. So, let the syllables dance and the words sing, for in the realm of poetry, the rhythmic flow holds the key to unlocking the beauty of language and I encourage everyone interested to give this handy technique a try. 

By: Brandon Adam Haven 

Photo by: Brandon Adam Haven 

Beat Poetry

 

Beat poetry emerged in the 1950s as a rebellious literary movement that challenged traditional norms and celebrated the freedom of expression. With its pulsating rhythm, authentic voice, and a very experimental spirit, beat poetry opened new doors for creative exploration. In this blog, we will explore the essence of beat poetry through various examples, inspiring poets to embrace their own unique voices.

The Rhythm of Rebellion

Beat poetry's distinctive rhythm, initially influenced by jazz music, captures the spontaneous energy and emotional intensity of that era. Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" embodies the beat generation's restlessness and thirst for adventure. Here’s a example:

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”

On the Road 

Authentic Expression:

Beat poets expressed themselves honestly, much of the time drawing inspiration from personal experiences. Diane di Prima's "Revolutionary Letters" channels the spirit of rebellion, urging readers to question authority and imagine a transformed world.

A example of this: 

“The value of an individual life a credo they taught us
to instill fear, and inaction, 'you only live once'
a fog on our eyes, we are
endless as the sea, not separate, we die
a million times a day, we are born
a million times, each breath life and death”

Revolutionary Letters 

Experimental Exploration

Beat poetry encouraged experimentation with form and structure. Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "A Coney Island of the Mind" blends vivid imagery, social commentary, and fragmented narratives.

“Here lies love

The ring dove love

In lyrical delight

Hear love’s hillsong

Love’s true willsong

Love’s low plainsong

Too sweet painsong”

A Coney Island of the Mind

Beat poets often used vivid imagery alongside provocative language.

Beat poetry's rhythm, authenticity, experimentation, and imagery continue to inspire poets even in the modern day. Let us embrace the rebellious spirit of beat poetry, unleashing our creative voices to redefine the boundaries of the art form with every line we write.

Brandon Adam Haven 

Photo by: Brandon Adam Haven