What should poetry address itself to in the 1980’s? Joe Smythe gives his own answer to the question in this new collection of recent work. Using a variety of styles, he explores the discontents and disturbances of the times, from inner-city riots to apartheid in South Africa. Joe Smythe also takes a fresh approach to more traditional poetic themes, such as love, time passing and the appreciation of the natural world. Running through all his work, though, is a streak of satirical humour, which crackles away even through the most serious of these well-crafted poems.

Publication date: 1986