Poetry Spotlight: Night after Night in the Quiet House by Sarah Hemings
In Summary
Genre: Poetry pamphlet
Publication Date: October 2022
No. of Pages: 35
Keywords: Love, motherhood, loss, home, nature, comfort.
Content Warnings: Miscarriage, relationship breakdown, grief, dementia, panic.
Format: Paperback
Review
Night After Night in the Quiet House shows that poems written about a specific experience, such as motherhood, can speak to you even if you don’t share that experience. This collection reaches out to the universal emotions of fear, loss, grief, and solace.
I loved how every poem is written in a different style, adding a touch of playfulness. Yet they still feel elegant and controlled, each one with its own brand of quiet strength.
Some verses had me shedding genuine tears (especially ‘Angel-siblings’), while others felt soothing - those celebrating the healing effects of nature, such as ‘Tall Trees on Freezing Hill’. There’s a narrative arc across the whole collection that feels hopeful.
As someone who has occasionally dabbled in writing poetry, I know that the ending of a poem is one of the most difficult parts of the process. I’m in awe of how Sarah has mastered this art! The poignant last lines all feel like a strong underline, making you pause and savour each poem after finishing it.
The Round Up
Standout Quote or Moment: “Like a river flowing through us, silence sweeps up the questions and waits patiently, night after night, for answers only we can find.”
Read If: You’re a poetry newbie or seasoned aficionado wanting to get lost in a beautifully vulnerable yet comforting collection.
Last Impressions: I was lucky enough to see Sarah do a reading at Topping & Company bookshop in Bath for the launch of this collection. She spoke about how writing is a healing process, helping her to release pain in the effort of putting it onto the page. By bravely putting her poems out into the world, she shares this sense of comfort and catharsis with readers too.
Night after Night in the Quiet House by Sarah Hemings is available to buy now from Maytree Press. Bristol and Bath Girls - this is your chance to support a brilliant local writer. It also makes a perfect Christmas gift for poetry lovers!
Written by Florence Edwards