Over the Moon by Imtiaz Dharker. Bloodaxe Books, Eastburn, South Park, Hexam, Northumberland NE46 1BS. 160 pp. £12 paperback.

Dharker was recently awarded the Queen’s gold medal for poetry so it seems almost redundant to say how much I recommend this generous and accessible book.

The first poem, “Like That Only”, is one I’ve heard Dharker read twice, to great applause. It epitomizes her easy multiculturalism, her warmth, and a lightness of touch that makes it seem almost indelicate to point out how moving and profound her poetry can be. The setting is the entrance to a Ganesh temple where entrants must … Continue Reading