Gap in my education

I'm a member of the Scottish Poetry Library and regularly borrow books from their wonderful collection. I recently borrowed Jean Valentine's Door in the Mountain and I must admit to being completely blown away. I have never read any of her work before, but I find her style and use of language astounding and compelling.

Adrienne Rich says of her, "This is poetry of the highest order, because it lets us into spaces and meaning we couldn't approach in any other way. The known and familiar become one with the mysterious and half-wild, at the place where consciousness and the subliminal meet."

I particularly love this poem Inkwell daybreak

and

The Hawthorn Robin Mends With Thorns, which isn't on line, but begins:

Talking to Mary about 1972:
like a needle
through my 25-years-
older breast my years thinner rib....

If you get the chance read her work, you won't be disappointed. And take a closer look at her site on the link I provided, which includes readings and pdf's of some poems in this collection.