Sawing Fallen Logs For Ladybird Houses

By Dave Lewis

Dave Lewis is from Cilfynydd, South Wales. He has always lived in Wales except for a year in Kenya. He is founder and organiser of The Welsh Poetry Competition, an international competition which seeks to encourage and nurture talented writers that have been overlooked by the arts establishment in Wales.

Praise for 'Sawing Fallen Logs':
'From the first eponymously titled poem, we realise that Dave Lewis's work possesses an energy and freshness that lifts his imagery and empathy way above the work of many less ambitious poets. The element of surprise in each poem, however short, is even more startling coming as it does from such uncluttered writing. Last lines are an example, while phrases such as 'trees as tall as ships', 'a severe lack of hares', 'the brittle grass of misunderstanding...' will surely enhance the readers' own perceptions of the world around them. This collection's structure too, works well under its five separate headings, and the diverse forms used in several poems adds visual variety. A wonderful read. Buy it ' - Sally Spedding

'Dave Lewis is a vital voice of the Valleys, in touch with both the streets and the natural world. His free-flowing verse makes him a Welsh son of the Beats.' - Mike Jenkins

Review: 'From the moment you pick up a copy of Sawing Fallen Logs For Ladybird Houses SFLLH], you realize you are holding a piece of art. Published by Ponty Press earlier this year, SFLLH is gutsy, perceptive and experimental. Most of all it allows Dave Lewis to take us on a journey into all those nooks and crannies of life and love that most of us overlook. His keen eye and excellent usage of wit make this book one that I will come back to time and time again. For instance, in Outside the museum with Warren, Mr Lewis uses language and formatting so skilfully that we are instantly engaged in this encounter. Lines such as 'we held the moments as strong as a whale's heartbeat' grab the reader and refuse to let go. Throughout the book, Dave Lewis shares intelligent and comedic metaphoric snippets that not only fill the backdrop, but also carry us along with him frame-by-frame. Like any good director, Mr Lewis allows his audience to look through the camera just enough to make them want more. In Opium, his repetitive use of 'dab, dab' actually summons the scent up, which is exactly what authors hope for and readers demand. The poem is creative, as is the entire book, but, more than that, it stimulates us on several levels. Through exaggeration and sarcasm we see situations most of us can relate to all too well as in the case of A fly in the ointment, one of several pieces that made me laugh and nod my head in total agreement. Travel Text is a clever reminder of how we've shortened our conversations to such an extent that we may lose the ability to truly communicate. Poems like Car Accident are so potent that you might miss how cleverly the author has used understatement to grab you by the gut.'Train Lines provided me with a first-class ticket to a perceptive ride through the countryside I wouldn't have missed for the world. I have read each of the poems in this book countless times and each time was given a richer taste of Mr Lewis' fantastic feast. His lines are smooth and flow like ale on the palate on a hot summer day. I found this book refreshing and tantalizing. Even in his Row of trees, we're taken immediately to the scene. 'film grain, harsh light the black and white of winter rain rips skies.' My heart was broken by Hospital bed. The stark reality Mr Lewis painted left me breathless. Throughout the book readers will ride a rollercoaster of rich language, clever insights and creativity. And when they finally come to the end, they'll join the queue to ride again. - Jolen Whitworth, Poetry Editor, Gold Dust Magazine

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FJFFMJQW
• ISBN13: 9798293019533
• Release Date: November 2010
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 134 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"