Three Feet Above the Ground by Heather Goddin
Heather Goddin's second collection of poetry concentrates mainly, but not exclusively, on the theme of memories. Written over the course of the last 35 years, some poems are based on distant memories, others on recent. Three Feet Above the Ground explores themes of love and loss, hope and resignation, and people and places. This anthology explores different places, recalling the poet's memories of visits to a variety of destinations, including Scotland, Malta and Sweden. Amongst the more exotic locations, Heather has also included her retirement in Suffolk in the collection. The tone of the poems in the collection are as varied as the settings, ranging from sad to funny, from serious to downright ridiculous. Spooky recollections of an ancient haunted house in Malta and an archaeological site on the Solway Firth are contrasted with the quirky happenings in rural Suffolk. Heather's own experiences over 35 years have heavily influenced her writing, though she also draws from other peoples' memories to inform her poems. Inspired by Edwin Muir, W. B. Yeats and Carol Ann Duffy, Heather's poems have previously been described as travelling from the heart to the heart. Three Feet Above the Ground will appeal to fans of poetry that reflects life experiences and will resonate with all readers. It will also be enjoyed by readers of Heather's first collection, Before the Frost.