Living Weapon

Living Weapon is a poetry book that examines the meaning, morality, and musicality of poetry. It is a love song to the imagination, a new blade of light homing in on our political moment, and a language of grace and urgency. It reveals the limitations of our vocabulary and shows that our platitudes are inadequate to the brutal times we find ourselves in, but through interrogation of allegory and symbol, names and things, time and musicality, a language of grace and urgency is found. It is a piercing, flaring collection from a virtuoso poetic voice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2021
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Living Weapon is a captivating exploration of the essence, morality, and musicality of poetry, presented through the lens of a living weapon. Author Simon Phillips engages in a profound dialogue with a diverse array of historical predecessors, who breathe life into his examination. Through his eloquent and persuasive conversations, Phillips delves into the profound meaning, ethical implications, and artistic beauty of poetry, highlighting its transformative power.

This poetic masterpiece is a love song to the imagination, a beacon of light illuminating our political reality. Within its pages, Phillips weaves a tapestry of vivid imagery, capturing the essence of contemporary life. A winged man plummets from the sky, four police officers enter a phone store, and concrete pavements loom overhead. Through his poetic reflections, Phillips explores the intricate connections between violins, violence, hatred, pleasure, aging, and the ultimate question of existence itself.

Living Weapon challenges the limitations of our vocabulary, revealing the inadequacy of our platitudes in the face of the brutal times we inhabit. It forces us to confront the harsh realities of our world and to seek a language of grace and urgency that can adequately convey the depth of our experiences.

Yet, even in the midst of darkness, Living Weapon offers hope and survival. Through the interrogation of allegory, symbol, names, things, time, and musicality, Phillips uncovers a profound language of grace and urgency. His poetry serves as both an indictment of the world's ills and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

In conclusion, Living Weapon is a must-read for anyone who seeks to deepen their understanding of poetry and its profound impact on our lives. Simon Phillips' virtuosic poetic voice shines through every page, transporting readers to a world where words hold the power to transform and inspire. This collection is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to illuminate the darkness and bring forth hope for a better future.

Weight: 110g
Dimension: 130 x 195 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571366279
Edition number: Main