River - 36pp Book

This is the first book from A Blackbird Sang. The official publication date is RHS Chelsea 2023. Advanced copies are available to a select few before the launch. Publication date is 19 May 2023. This book will be orderable from your local bookshop too! Support them if you can.

River is mixed poetry inspired by Kath Fotheringham's willow-charcoal drawings and vice versa. It also includes other research into dialect, river habitats and the names of things. Here are some of the things mentioned and drawn:

Moorhen, Heron, Minnow, Willow-charcoal, River Usk, Rupert Brooke, Swift, Caddis-fly, William Blake, Trout, Pike, Otter, Water-crowfoot, River Cam, Kingfisher, Dragonfly.

In November 2022 Kath photographed ice-baubles created naturally above the river Cherwell in Oxfordshire. This inspired Tony to write his Blakean poem 'Auguries of Iciness'. This is also visible as a video poem narrated by Tony and Kath together (see below).

At events throughout the year Tony has often been asked why his poetry work is not available in some form. Now it is.

A select number of eco-digital prints based on the book will be available post-launch.

• Poems and text by Tony Davis and A Blackbird Sang.
• Over 25 illustrations in willow charcoal by Kath Fotheringham.
• 32 pp + cover
  
• Printed by Pureprint Group, an ISO14001, FSC and CarbonNeutral® accredited printing company.
• This book was printed using 100% vegetable-based inks and a water-based coating, on Revive 100 Uncoated, a fully recycled paper.