048 R.T.A. Parker – ‘The Traveller & The Defence of Heaven’
Veer Publication 048 [ISBN: 978-1-907088-45-2]
Projective epic? End-of-the-world Sci Fi Saga? Sophisticated shaggy dog story? This poem’s mix of allegory, the mock heroic, graphic imaginings, narrative invention and parodic brilliance enriches the account of a city-size spaceship escaping the demise of our solar system. At the outset the ship’s pilot admits, “I dread | the dé | noument / Of this | myster | ious / Story | between | the stars ”, and with good reason. Midway through the poem, come to the end of stellar space, all aboard retire to pods for “many | million / Years of | forcèd | slumber”. Readers need fear no such fate.
(Adrian Clarke)
5x8” size. 108 pages. May 2012. £7.00
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