The Red Kite and other Poems
by Paul Bura
“The most brilliant and comprehensive collection of poems in this poet’s repertoire to date. From his poem ‘JEW’, a powerful and moving piece, to his narrative poem ‘REVENGE’. But worry not, folks, his brilliant humour is alive and very firmly intact and is here in abundance!”
RU ELLIOT, poet and storyteller.
The best way for me to describe this new book of poems is that each poem is a personal Experience! It’s an experience capturing life in all its aspects, covering a vast array of emotions, which take you on an inner journey and lead you to discover delightful new perspectives. Reading Paul Bura’s poems brings me into the Now, the present moment and allow me the freedom to let myself experience feelings as they are, from intense human emotions to a transcendental state of being which is part of something much greater. They are real and endearingly honest. I find his work very perceptive, moving and brilliantly unique.
Fif Hugenholtz. Writer. The Blue Mountains. Australia.
“I wondered whether you’d be interested in recording a couple of your poems for the program [Poetry Please]. I’m sorry we didn’t quite make it last time. One of the producers (Paul Dodgson) would like to include your poem ‘When I was an Arcade Cashier’ [THE DRUNK ON THE TRAIN collection] in a Poetry Please edition that we’re planning? There is another request for one of your poems: What Can You Do for Me, Young Man? [THE DRUNK collection] which we would like to record as well – and I still like: The Drunk on the Train, so perhaps we could do that as well. Give me a call and we’ll sort something out.”
SARAH LANGAN for Poetry Please, BBC Radio.4.
“The Drunk on the Train was the first poem I read of Paul Bura’s during a silent retreat on Skye and I spent the entire evening reading anything else of his I could lay my hands on. If I had come away from that retreat with just Paul’s poetry in my hand, I would have been far richer than I had expected. For this man’s work is an experience that demands your full participation, whether you like it or not. It is priceless, a jewel amongst contemporary poetry! At the very least it is impossible not to be moved by the wonderful humour which animates his words!”
STEPHANIE SORRELL. Writer and poet.
“Paul Bura is a poet with a ‘voice’ which is distinctively his own. His words, apparently simple, explore the deepest thoughts and feelings. I admire the controlled language and the deep penetration of his thought, plus the marvellous sense of good humour with which he celebrates life in all its infuriating complexity. These are poems which are a joy to read aloud – whether to yourself or to an audience.”
NORMAN HIDDEN – ex editor of ‘New Poetry’ and former Chairman of the British Poetry Society.
Friday, March 14, 2008
I started my Pause for Poetry series about two weeks after I started blogging. That was a year ago. The first P for P was kicked off by a wonderful poet and friend of mine, Paul Bura, who has been writing poems for centuries, perhaps even longer.
He has published about 10 anthologies of poems as well as a novel and a thought-provoking book about crop circles.
His latest anthology of poems hot off the press is The Red Kite. If you know and love Paul’s poetry then you’ll love this book. If you’re new to his work then you’ll also love this; and then you will want to seek out his previous tomes.
Spike Milligan was a fan and wrote:
“Paul Bura is a straight down-the-line poet. He is sensitive and emotional, a journalistic poet with a good sense of imagery”.
In a foreword to an earlier anthology, Brand New, I wrote:
“And yet he is more than just a journalistic poet, although he himself writes that he strives to be “just a poet”. His talent lies in his deceptively simple style that lures us so effortlessly into his world. He leads us down paths we never imagined existed; he can also take us down well-trodden paths we know and make us see them anew. Knowing Paul, he would probably add he sometimes leads us up the garden path as well . . . He’s a poet who cares . . . Just another poet? I don’t think so.”
Christy Brown enthused:
“I laughed out loud in my midnight room at some of his tough, witty descriptions of childhood, smiled sadly at his love encounters, and groaned when he struck a certain all too responsive chord within myself. He has a voice that would make Dylan Thomas growl in his grave with envy”.
Ian Dury said:
“This geezer says it the way it is”.
But don’t just read our words about this unique poet – go buy his books and find out for yourself!
JULIAN YOUNG Paris, France.
Julian Young is an editor for The International Herald Tribune.
“The poem ‘Jew’ was in my head when I woke up. I don’t think I’ve read any poem more stark and visual, commanding and dramatic. If there were any prizes going in a competition this would take the top first prize! ‘Modern Master’: I liked this, a comforting piece. ‘I Heard God Walking’ Review Theatre would welcome this. I might use it as a recitation piece and dine out on it sometime. Splendid! ‘The Jeremy Paxman Interview.’ Ha! Ten out of ten! ‘Boy on a Tricycle’. Rather touching as was ‘Billy Boy’.
Oh I should have mentioned ‘Regrets’: a serious scene pictured: then the poem surprised me with its gentle/mature twist! Also ‘Cornfield’ but in a more personal way. And ‘Men Don’t Notice’…I had to smile!
FLORENCE CAIN-DAVIDSON. West Sussex.
Many thanks for The Red Kite...
It's really well produced and feels good. Great cover! Really good new poems too...also some old favourites. I find myself simultaneously moved and amused and all things in-between as I go from poem to poem, which is something I've always liked about Paul Bura’s verse. It never leaves you in one place for long.
I'm biased, I know... but he’s my favourite poet!
ANDY THOMAS Lecturer and writer, author of VITAL SIGNS and co-author of QUEST FOR CONTACT [with Paul Bura] and many others!
I'm very much enjoying your latest poetry collection. What a lovely variety of subjects and styles are included, one is laughing one minute and weeping the next. Bravo!
How honest and brave you are to share such personal stuff, very reassuring to other poor mortals.
To date I am particularly drawn to:
Cornfield,
Right there in the River: (familiar of course from our lovely evening at Bangor Cathedral)
The Pumpkin: ( I get rather possessive about mine!)
Modern Master: which continually makes me laugh!
Fields...beautiful
J P interviews: which is so clever and funny
I love the book, Paul. Thank you!
love Jenny xxx
PS did the Croppies ever use your work for a calendar? [Yes they did!]
JENNIFER PORCAS. MUSICIAN (OBOE)
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