Social Closeness

Introducing Rhymes_n_Roses

by Sharron Green

Review by Heather Moulson

I was lucky enough to acquire this beautifully designed collection from Sharron Green at the Cranleigh Arts Festival.    Introducing Rhymes_n_Roses is an anthology of twenty poems revolving around English life, and the life-changing gates that we enter, if we haven’t already. We cannot lose with this collection. Everything is covered from weather, nightclubs, shopping centres, Love Island, Ebay, Fitbits, and my favourite, The Menopause.

These rhyming poems are in neat and trimmed blocks, and are deceptive with their underlying emotions, and random shades of anger. The discreet quirkiness goes at a regular pace.

The amazingly detailed The Tree Lined Village Square, opens up like a theatrical production with very personal reflections on how we embrace our birthplace. Plus how often we tend to return. A whole story of who and what we grew up with emerges with this first piece.  Our Weather shares our feelings, and the valid question of where it is actually going. And where will it take us? The reflective Walls scrapes deep and tenderly to our own home memories, carrying us on a vivid and emotional journey. Those often painful, but blissful stages of life are seeped in these words. A tender decoration.

But then, we enter the oasis. The Oasis Nightclub can come across sordid, bringing up uncomfortable memories. Did we all wait in that queue during the misery and anticipation of youth? Cynical – or is it? Sharing sweat, and intimacy between strangers. Isn’t this also very human? The Oasis Shopping Centre is painfully descriptive in its rituals, for some an ordeal, for some it’s freedom. The poet sums up the emotions and competitiveness and true friendship of people who exist within these familiar buildings. The clever Oasis Spa has quite a savage beginning with predatory, single women but pans out the reflections and needs of these strangely enticing characters. There is an air of ambivalence about these pampered surroundings.

Child of our Times succinctly puts the contrast between our own childhoods and how children are brought up today. We’re pushed into uncomfortable territory. The pang of nostalgia will be familiar, plus the cynicism of helicopter parents and kid gloves upbringing. Something is truly lost. One of my personal favourites, Stolen, is a beautifully detailed lifespan from a young woman taking that relevant journey to motherhood. Sit back and enjoy the ride of no return. An absorbing and tentative piece on how much life can change.  Another favourite is The Menopause, the ultimate and natural further stage for women. Lack of choice? Nature being cruel? Or an exciting new phase in life? Painful, quirky and humorous.

Then we’re taken  The Roundabout Way to a detailed life lesson, bordering on philosophical. Strong and deep questions arise.

The well-structured Poetry cleverly covers the endless aspects of this elusive art form that the most experienced poets still chase after. It is so very succinct and well laid-out.

There is also the glamour of Rose, colourful yet dusty. Sad almost, I reached out to her.
Saving our Earth naturally goes into eco territory but the message is clear and relevant. We can also relate to the stunning beauty of Chants for Nature, vivid, simple and yet complex.  Then the tender The Tale of Buddy Green, an ode to the poet’s much-loved dog. His lifespan and highs and lows are heart-warming.

There is such strong human love in this anthology, a strong collection, and a joy to read.

Heather Moulson
June 2020

Introducing Rhymes_n_Roses
by Sharron Green
Book Printing UK (www.rhymesnroses.com), £5.00, 28 pp
ISBN 978-1-5272-4878-6

Photography by Justin Holmes, Rod Boston and Jennifer Soames