Blog

27th May, 2022

Friday Poem – ‘On Suitors’ by Katrina Naomi


This week’s Friday Poem is ‘On Suitors’ by Katrina Naomi from her collection Wild Persistence.

This cover shows a black and white photo of three dancers in 1940s style dress jumping with toes pointed. They are facing each other in a circle with their arms stretched out. The text reads: Wild Persistence, Katrina Naomi

Katrina Naomi’s this collection Wild Persistence is a confident and persuasive collection of poems. From the first poem we are warned to be on guard for the off-guard, to suspend our expectations of pure realism and to stay awake for what comes next. Though never didactic, the poetic voice convinces us of the need to live well, to take time to celebrate, dance, make love, embrace the outdoors, muse over the biography of someone admirable, make a stand for feminism.

On Suitors Emily Dickinson had the right idea speaking with her suitors through a door seeking to be swayed not by gifts or looks but by the qualities of a voice – what a person has to say, the essence of intonation, distilled with wit and intelligence. To listen, to listen only, and imagine the kind of man or woman outside. And I think of Skype, the similarities of talking without pixilation’s dull entreaties to see and be seen. I am freeing myself in this lovely prison of my making. I prefer isolation. And when they come, I stay in my room, leave them at the foot of the stairs; I stay alone, I’m not being rude but I choose to listen to the syntax, the accent, the colour of a voice, not to be wooed by a suitor, how they choose to show themselves, how they modify or allow their words to be uttered, whether they are found worth listening to, whether they listen in return. There are those who’ve tried thrusting photos under doors, onto screens. The good looking I won’t tolerate, let alone the rest. I do not discriminate. I’ll allow a suitor to ruminate – briefly. I want to fall in love with a voice and then – only then – decide on a face. You’re welcome to whisper at a keyhole, to speak by the pale green wall. Without mystery there can be no drunkenness of love. And you may have guessed – like Emily – I’ve no real interest in release.

Wild Persistence is available on the Seren website: £9.99

Create your free Seren account and enjoy 20% off every book you buy from us.

Watch Katrina Naomi read ‘Poem in Which She Wears Her Favourite Wedding Dress’

More news

17th August, 2026

Laura Wainwright shortlisted for the Laurel Prize

11th August, 2026

Guest Post: Sarah Johnson reflects on the IPA Congress 2026

10th August, 2026

Maggie Harris wins Guyana Prize for Literature Poetry Award

21st July, 2026

Guest post: Eoghan Walls on writing ‘Elsa & the Wolfman’