Autumn 2015

Poetic Ways

Linda Cracknell Reads the Landscape

Short Stories, Poems, Essays, Reviews including Ian Stephen, Cynthia Rogerson, Angus Dunn, Maoilios Caimbeul, Magi Gibson, Alexander Hutchison

Editorial

Angus Dunn, one of the founding lights of Northwords (as editor) and later, Northwords Now (as manager), has died. Angus had been seriously ill for some time but the news still comes as a shock, even if it is not a surprise. My heart goes out to his family and friends and to his partner Nikki.At the time of writing, there has barely been time to take in the news, let alone arrange for the writing of an obituary, but I am immensely thankful and glad that, earlier this summer, Angus sent such fine poems to the magazine (page 15). The fact that Angus wrote poetry at all may come as a surprise to those who know his work though his short fiction and his novel, Writing in the Sand. To my mind these poems show the spirit of Angus Dunn at work. They are passionate, generous poems distinguished by a richness of vision and a craftsman’s love for the shapes that language can take. They take the reader by surprise and show them the world anew. It is some comfort that latterly I played a small part in bringing together Angus’ poetry in a book, High Country, to be published by Sandstone in September 2015. I’m looking forward to holding a printed copy in my hands but, for the moment, I cannot help but think that a world without Angus Dunn’s creative, enthusiastic and entirely loveable presence feels like a world diminished.

Chris Powici, Editor

Chris Powici, Editor