Sanctuary

“Angela Graham’s poetry collection ‘Sanctuary: There Must Be Somewhere is an interesting concept. As well as her own poems, it includes poems she wrote collaboratively with Phil Cope, Viviana Fiorentino, Mahyar and Csilla Toldy … the collaborative poems all allow the contributing poets’ voices to shine.”

“Angela Graham’s timely collection … unflinchingly addresses challenging issues of the current climate, from the pandemic to war in the Ukraine with a tender voice that is respectful of the subject matter… Through Graham’s collaboration with the five other poets who feature in this collection, the additional voices add to the exploration of what sanctuary is to each of us and how much this adapts and transforms in the face of upheaval and global turmoil… this collaborative approach only strengthens the message and quality of the work…”

“Angela Graham’s debut collection is both timely and welcome… Poem after poem brings a concentration of imagery, of language, of sound and pattern, of thought and situation from which the reader may draw uneasy and insightful conclusions… One of the things particularly significant in this collection is that it is also a collaboration… This creative exchange enriches the response to the theme. Each [poet} brings their own experience, some an imaginative response, borne of observation, research, and concern… This book is highly relevant, I recommend you read it for yourself; it offers urgent and vital food for thought, and action.”

I found the poems in this book finely written and thoughtful. Despite the intelligence and philosophical loftiness, which I sometimes feel prohibits poets from delivering into the dirt via language and image, Graham is a poet who doesn’t shy away from this, delivering, as well as literal bombs, the ‘f-bomb’ in one poem; neither is she one who is unable to explore or touch on concepts of divinity and use of the word ‘God’, which I find more f-bomb prone, gritty poets perhaps feel their own fear of and are less likely to address. Therefore, this comes across as an open-minded collection, and the poems, as mentioned, are very finely wrought, whether by Graham or by her guests. This is a generous inclusion, of course, but Graham is a poet who is skilled and sublime enough, I imagine, not to feel any threat from it or, indeed, from anyone or anything at all.

“Graham’s project is hugely experimental — few poets give space in their debut collections to others… as praxis, the project seems politically perfect, an unselfish poetic gesture underlining the ‘unevenness’ of sanctuary that is genuinely thought-provoking.” 

“The collection ends with a hopeful poem called ‘Home’ which concludes that ‘We are a home for one another./ And this holds true for everyone.’ This encapsulates what the poets who contributed to this collection try to endorse in many different ways: that humanity’s compassion creates sanctuary, and the lack thereof creates hell. This is certainly an idea worth considering when it comes to today’s treatment of immigrants and refugees, and the role of governments and citizens in making Wales, Northern Ireland and England a more welcoming place. If you want to explore sanctuary, identity and belonging, then this collection is a good place to start.”

“An urgent publication in times like these. Unfortunately, it is also urgent because sanctuary becomes a necessity for those who have to flee from their dwelling place. Seeking refuge, asylum and shelter from the fragility of  their homeland is indeed  their last hope  of survival.  Never was there more of a need — a need for the grace and goodness of strangers…” 

“The themes of evacuation, exile and alienation, dominate this impactful, emotionally-resonant, multicultural collection, with poems that convey longing for home, refuge, connection and personal fulfilment – “Rehearse your exit strategy/ – hopeless,/ yes, unless/ Some god would give you wings – / and never tell a soul about your study of terrain, / of martyrdom, of dying well”. Sanctuary conveys the “visions and visitations” of a group of writers in this finely curated, relevant collection.”

“These poems are challenging, immediate, generous, uncompromising, urgent interventions in present-day affairs. The poems are tough but humane, sensitive but fearless, alarming but reassuring: this collection reminds us that at a time of trauma poetry is not optional – it is essential.”

“In this wonderful collaborative collection there is work that variously provokes, soothes, challenges and affirms. Together, the poems provide a meditation on the meaning of ‘sanctuary’ at a time when the word’s relevance to our lives feels increasingly urgent. A vital and illuminating publication.”