11 Years in the Making: Unveiling My Latest Poetry Collection

New Poetry Collection ‘Neanderthal Boy‘ Explores Humanity’s Place in the World

Cork, Ireland – A new collection of poetry, titled Neanderthal Boy, is set to launch on September 25th at the Cork City Library. The book, penned after an eleven-year creative process, promises a compelling exploration of the human condition and our interaction with the world around us.

From Personal Reflection to Historical Voices

The poet states that, while a previous work focused on self-revelation, this new collection broadens its scope to examine humanity’s relationship with both the natural and built environments. The volume features a blend of personal poems alongside works told through the perspectives of historical figures. These include Oliver Cromwell, individuals impacted by conflict in Syria, and laborers from 14th-century England.

A Journey Through Time and Outlook

Central to the collection is the titular poem, neanderthal Boy, which embodies the voice of a young Neanderthal facing the rise of Homo-sapiens.This serves as a metaphor for contemporary global conflicts, questioning the self-destructive tendencies within humanity. Additional poems such as Homo Sapiens sapiens, Cro-magnon Woman, and Evolution, further dissect themes of human dominance and self-perception. The poem Evolution garnered praise in 2023 from The Friday Poem in England, noted for its insightful critique of human self-assurance.

Fellow poet Matthew Geden described the collection as “both personal and political,” praising its skillful weaving of past and present. He highlighted its ability to connect seemingly disparate elements and uncover beauty in everyday life.

A Shift in Focus: From Poetry to Poetryfilm and Back

The path to publication was not without its detours. Following the release of the poet’s first book, What News, Centurions? in 2014, a captivation with Poetryfilm – visual interpretations of poetic works – took hold. This lead to several impactful projects, including teaching film to students at Douglas girls National School for the Deaf, culminating in an award-winning entry at the 2024 Fís National Primary School Awards.

A return to a more conventional writing focus occurred in 2020 after a 30-year career as a chemical engineer. This allowed time to curate and refine the poems accumulated over the previous decade.

Overcoming Publishing Hurdles

The search for a publisher proved challenging, with the poet’s original publisher ceasing operations.Brexit-related costs also complicated a potential deal with an English publisher. Ultimately, the decision was made to partner with Wordsonthestreet, a company with deep roots in the Irish poetry scene. The cover art for Neanderthal Boy features a clay sculpture created by the poet’s daughter for her Leaving Cert art project, evoking the collection’s thematic depth.

Milestone	Date
first Book Published	2014
Shift to Poetryfilm	2011 (initial foray)
Career Change	Late 2020
Book Launch	september 25, 2025

The official launch of Neanderthal Boy will be held at the Cork City Library on Thursday, September 25th, at 6:30 PM, hosted by poet Anton Floyd. The collection is available for purchase at wordsonthestreet.com.

The Resurgence of Poetry in Modern Society

Recent years have witnessed a notable resurgence in poetry’s popularity. According to the Poetry foundation, poetry readership increased by 4.8% between 2017 and 2020, and continues to grow with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok offering new avenues for poets to share their work. This renewed interest highlights a desire for introspection and connection in an increasingly complex world. Poetry Foundation

Frequently Asked questions

What is ‘Neanderthal Boy’ about? ‘Neanderthal Boy’ explores the complex relationship between humanity and the world, using historical voices and perspectives to analyze themes of conflict, survival, and self-perception.

what inspired the title of the poetry collection? Matthew Geden,a fellow poet,suggested the title ‘Neanderthal Boy’ after reviewing the manuscript,and it resonated with the author’s vision for the cover art and the book’s themes.

How did the author’s background in chemical engineering influence their poetry? While seemingly disparate, the author’s background in chemical engineering provided a disciplined approach to problem-solving and observation, which informed their poetic process.

what role did Poetryfilm play in the author’s creative journey? Poetryfilm became a major focus for the author after their first book, leading to collaborations and educational opportunities, but ultimately paved the way for a renewed dedication to writing poetry.

Where can I purchase ‘Neanderthal Boy’? ‘Neanderthal Boy’ is available for purchase at wordsonthestreet.com.

What aspects of the collection’s exploration of history and humanity resonate most with you? Do you think the blending of personal and historical voices enhances the poetic experience?

What inspired the shift in your poetic voice from narrative-driven work to a focus on imagery and concise language in “Ephemeral Echoes”?

The Genesis of “Ephemeral Echoes”

This collection, titled “Ephemeral Echoes,” wasn’t born from a sudden burst of inspiration, but rather a slow, purposeful unfolding over eleven years.It represents a notable evolution in my poetic voice, moving from the more narrative-driven pieces of my earlier work to a focus on imagery, emotional resonance, and the power of concise language. The core theme revolves around memory – it’s fragility, its distortions, and its enduring impact on the present. I’ve always been fascinated by how the past isn’t a fixed entity, but a constantly shifting landscape shaped by our perceptions. This collection attempts to capture that fluidity.

The Writng Process: A Decade of Drafts & Refinement

The journey began in 2014 with fragmented thoughts and observations jotted down in notebooks. Initially, these were simply exercises in free verse, explorations of feeling without a clear destination. Over time, patterns emerged. Recurring motifs of water, light, and shadow began to surface, reflecting the collection’s central preoccupation with the ephemeral nature of experience.

Here’s a breakdown of the key stages:

1. Initial Drafting (2014-2017): Primarily focused on generating raw material.I experimented with different forms – sonnets, haikus, free verse – to see what best suited the emerging themes.
2. Thematic Consolidation (2018-2020): Identifying the core themes and beginning to shape the collection’s overall arc. This involved a lot of ruthless editing, discarding poems that didn’t align with the central vision.
3. refinement & Revision (2021-2023): Polishing individual poems, paying close attention to rhythm, sound, and imagery. I relied heavily on feedback from trusted fellow poets during this phase.
4. Final Sequencing (2024): Arranging the poems in a way that creates a cohesive and emotionally resonant reading experience. This was arguably the most challenging part of the process.

Key Influences & Poetic techniques

Several poets have profoundly influenced my work, including Mary Oliver, whose ability to find the remarkable in the ordinary is deeply inspiring. Sylvia Plath’s unflinching honesty and use of metaphor also resonated with me. However, I consciously strived to develop my own distinct voice, drawing on my personal experiences and observations.

Specific poetic techniques employed throughout “Ephemeral Echoes” include:

* Imagery: Vivid and evocative descriptions designed to appeal to the reader’s senses.

* metaphor & Symbolism: Using figurative language to convey deeper meanings and emotional nuances.

* Enjambment: Breaking lines mid-phrase to create a sense of flow and momentum.

* Sound Devices: Utilizing alliteration, assonance, and consonance to enhance the musicality of the poems.

* White Space: Strategic use of line breaks and spacing to create visual impact and emphasize certain words or phrases.

The Role of SEO in Poetry Promotion

As a writer in the digital age, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of book marketing with SEO. While poetry might not seem like an obvious candidate for search engine optimization, it’s crucial to make your work discoverable online. According to resources like WOW! Women On Writing (https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/90-FE-BookMarketingSEO-Heather-Lloyd-Martin.html), key-phrase research is vital even for creative content.

Here’s how I’ve approached SEO for “Ephemeral Echoes”:

* Keyword Research: Identifying relevant keywords and phrases that potential readers might use when searching for poetry online (e.g., “contemporary poetry,” “emotional poetry,” “memory and poetry,” “new poetry collection,” “poetry about loss”).

* Website Optimization: Ensuring my website (archyde.com) is optimized for these keywords, including in page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text.

* Content Marketing: Creating blog posts and articles (like this one!) that address topics related to the collection’s themes and incorporate relevant keywords.

* Social Media Promotion: Sharing excerpts from the collection on social media platforms, using relevant hashtags (e.g., #poetry, #poetrycommunity, #poetrylovers, #newpoetry, #ephemeralechoes).

A First-Hand Experience: the Power of Reader Connection

During a small reading I gave in 2022, a woman approached me after I read a poem about her grandmother. She shared a deeply personal story about her own experiences with grief and loss, and how the poem had resonated with her on a profound level. That moment underscored the power of poetry to connect people, to offer solace, and to create a sense of shared humanity. It’s experiences like these that make the years of solitary work worthwhile.This connection is what drives me to continue writing and sharing my work with the world.

Exploring Themes of Loss,Memory & resilience

“Ephemeral Echoes” doesn’t shy away from tough emotions. Poems explore themes of loss, grief, and the challenges of navigating a world