Half-life

Lucid narratives of family dramas, global warming, and conversations with Death make a riveting new collection from this prize-winning poet.

The poems swing between Mexico City, New York, the Peloponnese, a Staffordshire village and home - their engagement with the church, art and natural beauty provide sure-footed travelling companions.

In an extended sequence, Death relates stories of her encounters with people and culture.

This is not to suggest the poems make for comfortable reading: each poem's subject provides an opportunity to challenge and question its integrity.

By turns mischievous and assured, this collection becomes more engrossing the more you read.