by Mike Johnson (Thynks Publications)

One of the reviews on the back of this book says ‘I really love these poems – they are so full of ideas.’ This is from a primary school teacher. And she’s right: Ideas for writing poetry (lots of shape poems) and ideas about life. They are also full of wry and witty humour. Mike’s biography tells us that he has a PhD in poetic semiotics. My dictionary tells me semiotics are the study of sign processes and meaningful communication. Aha, well that’s what many of these poems are: meaningful, and on several different levels. They’re clever. I think the layout and typeface of the books could be better. Bigger type perhaps. But that’s just by the by. A good collection.

TUC