Jenny Bradley

Sibling poets Jenny Bradley

This unique collection of fifty poems and short prose pieces, twenty-five by each of the authors, is bound together in a very unusual way - by genetics.; Sister and brother Jenny and Jonathan share many things, including the desire to write. Their styles and approaches are often different (but aren't any two poets?). What binds and underlies these poems is their shared family experiences. Some are written in free form and others in traditional forms such as the sonnet; some rhyme, and some use other means of enjoying the beauty of language to convey emotion or atmosphere. There is one poem in French, and pieces about many different countries and places.; The deep pull of the sea, a spell in France, a love of nature and adventure, together with enquiring minds through family trips, holidays and debate: these were their inspiration. There are poems on all of these subjects, as well as one composed by each of them on being siblings.
Jenny and Jonathan lived as young children in the North East of England. They then went with their parents for several months to the USA and Canada. Later they lived in Marseille and Paris before returning to the UK. Their parents spent some years in Belgium and all members of the family travelled widely in many parts of the world.; Both accomplished in their own right as published authors, they have now worked together to produce an entertaining and varied set of poems ranging from humour to deep grief, from Cambodia to Cornwall. There is often reflection in these poems, particularly in response to events such as lockdown. Overall a far ranging and thought-provoking collection.