Prominent Armidale writer, Michael Sharkey, gave the launch speech for A Door in the Forest, the new book by Armidale poet, Yve Louis, at the Trax Restaurant in the Railway Hotel, Armidale last week. A vibrant crowd of literary enthusiasts attended the launch, which was timed to coincide with Poetry Week, the national event held through the first week of September each year.
Mr Sharkey spoke of “highly imaginative poems that transport the reader to places that are strangely familiar”. He said, “To speak of forest is to speak of, among other things, an imaginary place, a mirror of the mind, like the world of speech where one chooses or creates a path that may bring happy surprises, or bewilderment, terror, and even death.”
Ms Louis said A Door in the Forest is the sixth book of poetry that she has published, adding that it represents years of work.
“Many of the poems touch on the importance of story in our lives; particularly the gathering together of the fragments of our own personal story.”
The 64-page book was typeset by Susan McMichael and its cover was designed by Fara Williams.
A Door in the Forest is available from Armidale book stores. Future readings may be heard at Poetzinc (see www.poetzinc.com)
