Synopsis
“We open with a word, our first word, we close with a last line, an epitaph on our tombstone, and in between we say everything, and nothing, VERY LOUDLY: sometimes unaware of which is which.” (Trevor Maynard, editor)
Sixty-seven poets from around the world share their voices, combine their words, phrases, producing eighty-two poems which whose images swirl around the mind, educate the brain, and elevate the soul.
This anthology is a recognition of life in all its fragile and miraculous forms, encompassing the themes of birth, life, and death into one word PRESENCE. This signifies not only the awareness of the joy of being alive, but also that these words are of this time, a poetic bond capturing the zeitgeist of the world now, this is history in the language of metaphor, image and lyricism.
The chapters of the book coalesce into organic form, creating patterns which ebb and flow, that are concrete and ephemeral, that are as visceral yet intangible, as fleeting as life itself, and as enduring as human history, philosophy and remembrance.
Many of the poems are NARRATIVE in structure, telling life stories, so these formed the first chapter. This theme develops into a more reflective section, seeking to explore the SPIRIT of how our lives are led. The fulcrum of the anthology is CENTRUM, the emotional heart to the book. The strong storytelling element and the focus on immediate life continues with the fourth chapter, a recognition and appreciation of TRAUMA bringing catharsis. Finally, several poets went back to the original root of all life, MOTHER, and this brought in a deeper psychological reflection: an intrinsic truth to the power and awareness of who we are now – present.
The poets of PRESENCE are: Annette Gagliardi, Alan Bern, Alan Keith, Alys Revna, Antony Xavier Jackson,
Ashleigh Stevens, Barbara Franzen, Barbara Reynolds, Ben Kayn, Betty Bleen, Bo Bunn, Brandyce Ingram,
Calum Robertson, CC Pulliam, Christine Anderes, Cigeng Zhang, Dan Brook, David M Alper, Denver Boxleitner,
Emma Wells, Erin McDonagh,Gerald Dampier, Gilbert A Franke, Hannah Walizer, Isaac Richards, James B Nicola,
Jill Langlois, Jim Wilson, John Jacobson, Joseph Sinclair, Kay Olami. Keeley Bradley, Kewayne Wadley, Kirby Wright, Linette Rabsatt, LindaAnn LoSchiavo, LS Cyning, Lynne Zotalis, Mari-Carmen Marin, Matthew Freeman, Megan Wildhood, Michelle Murray, Michael Hill, Michael Lee Johnson, Michael J Keeley, Mykyta Ryzhykh, Naa Asheley Ashitey,
Nikita Mushi Aggawal, R. David Fletcher. Rebecca Behar, Rebecca Evans, Regina Stone-Grover, Sandip Saha,
Sandra Hosking, Shari Jo Lekane-Yetumi, Sharla Shults, Sreyash Sarkar, Stephen Kirin, Susan M Sanders, Terrence Jones, Thomas Osatchoff, Trevor Maynard, Vaibhav Bharawdaj, Wybrig de Vries, and Yazdan Koshsirat
"As editor, I hope and trust you will thoroughly enjoy reading and engaging with the voices of this anthology, poets give up of their soul to bring their thoughts to the page, to share with humanity, to give the reader the words that open the world, and lines that give closure. Many thanks to all those who have taken part, I acknowledge and deeply appreciate your kindness, support, and participation in this, our community." Trevor Maynard 2025
There have been 17 poetry anthologies from Willowdown Books, sharing the voices of over 350 poets: selected reviews.
“… a window on our connected and collective soul” (.looking in looking out 2023)
“The International mix of voices gives enlightenment to the myriad aspects along with the beautiful differences of the world we inhabit” (Human to Human 2021)
“Art like this will certainly ne looked back on by future generations to gain a deeper understanding of the human condition during this crisis.” (Poems from the Lockdown 2020)
“Readers will feel joy, sorrow, and every emotion in between” (The Poetic Bond Series 2011-2020)
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