POETRY SPOTLIGHT: 'Sclerophyll' by Mike Ladd

This week's Poem of the week comes from Mike Ladd's collection Invisible Mending, which features photographs by Cathy Brooks.

Invisible Mending ranges across genres including essay, memoir, short story and poetry. Based loosely on the ideas of scarring and healing, Invisible Mending extends from family intimacies to connection and disconnection in the Australian community, environmental damage and repair.

Post written by Poppy Nwosu

I decided to take a look at Invisible Mending by Mike Ladd this week because we actually received a nice email from Mike letting us know he had recently recorded his poetry from this collection, which has now been released in audio by Drums Records! Listen to the recording here.
I am really glad this book was brought to my attention, as I really enjoyed delving into it this week. With its eclectic mix of poetry, photography, memoir and short fiction it really takes you on a journey!

The poetry in this book particularly got under my skin. I think it is so beautiful and evocative, sometimes sad, always filled with emotion, yet somehow still very direct and clean feeling, without over-statement. I am only an amateur poetry fan, so I struggle a little with descriptions of poetry, but I hope the following example reflects my meaning.
 

'My Father at the Clothesline'

Another thing I really liked about this collection was the photography by Cathy Brooks.


This week's feature poem is 'Sclerophyll'. While it's a short piece, I found myself struck by the power of the imagery Ladd has used.

'Sclerophyll'

Find out more about Mike Ladd and Invisible Mending on our website.

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