Eye of the Storm King. Portraits in Poetry

Book excerpt: Duncan Rouch first began writing poems as portraits of people who he met overseas, to remember and honour them. Here in this book are new poems of that portrait type. These poems also connect to the idea that it would useful to acknowledge the positive characteristics of people. This concept is a response to people in the public eye being generally criticised on and on and on, by the media. Also here are poems to reflect on challenges that people face in life, from both internal and external issues, including domestic and institutional violence. These poems, then, often have an emotionally darker feel, though often with at least a little light open for hope.