POETRY
2000

New Hope International Publications

ISBN 0-903610-25-6

36 pages

Available from the author.

UK £8.00

Selected reviews:

‘An exceptional collection of poems, each one a little gem in itself, but like a song cycle taking us on a journey... No review can do full justice to the high quality and absorbing content of this book. Like me you will want to read it again and again - for each time new pleasures will be discovered.’ Poetry Monthly (John S. Mercer)

‘Journeys especially are caught vividly, but there is also poignant social comment.‘Handshake (John Francis Haines) 

‘This is poetry of remarkable quality, enriched with metaphorical detail and assonant balance of word and phrase; cadence is appropriately linked to change of mood and situation. There is lyricism in Graham High's poetry, whether in rhyming stanzas or in those poems which adhere to no particular verse-form, and I most readily and unreservedly give this fine publication the thumbs-up. It is a truly commendable collection.’ Reach (Tony M. Jackson)

NEGATIVE/NOT NEGATIVE is one of the best poems in the booklet. Mr. High has a cold fascination with Russia as shown in some of these lines — The grey light seeps into one's bones, — The sky glares down like a constant question. — The comparison of rooks and stars is well observed, but the last three lines sum up the poem beautifully — ..The Russians are a grey people,// living in the thin penumbra... — As a whole, WOLF ON THE THIRD FLOOR is an accomplished body of work, with certain lines that ring and echo in one's head. Each poem reveals a little more of itself at every reading. There is the added interest of Mr. High's introspective views of Russia — a land strange and forbidding to most of us. It is a startling collection on an unfamiliar theme. Pennine Ink (Laura Sheridan, Editor)

‘As fine a collection of work as I’ve seen. ‘WOLF ON THE THIRD FLOOR is an accomplished body of work, with certain lines that ring and echo in one's head. Each poem reveals a little more of itself at every reading. There is the added interest of Mr. High's introspective views of Russia — a land strange and forbidding to most of us. It is a startling collection on an unfamiliar theme.’ Pennine Ink (Laura Sheridan)

‘There is much beauty and intelligence in this poetry. There is a feel in some of the work of Osip Mandelstam and of that indefinable sense inadequately describable as a "Russian soul". The depth and subtlety in this collection is satisfying.’ Weyfarers (Stella Stocker)

‘Formidable poems .. High's work is honest, intelligent, and tender. He loves and is intimidated by the hard-bitten Russia he evokes so feelingly in these formidable poems.’  Iota Tony Grist

‘I enjoyed the leisurely pace and the stark uncluttered phrasing.’ Krax (Andy Robson)

‘lasts in the memory due to its highly polished language-music. High is quite capable of understanding a foreign consciousness, and rendering it in verse — not an easy task. I'll be on the lookout for more from Graham High in the future.’ Pulsar (Blair Ewing)

‘Beautifully produced as one would expect from NHI. ... Exceptional imagery and a fine economy of words ... A collection I'm happy to own.‘ CPR International (Tom Lewis)