Maiden Speech

Witty new Scottish poet writes powerfully of love, and hilariously of love's pitfalls. On display are wit, wordplay and an exhilarating flexibility of rhyme and rhythm. Alongside a barmaid's address to 'the Lads' is a succulent celebration of a wedding-cake. Jaundiced Sirens laconically slide closing couplets in, like rapiers. A subtly sustained and cunningly crafted sonnet sequence, assessing an affair, comprises the last rites it abjures.... Mistress of the telling phrase, Eleanor Brown seems as joyously drawn to her themes, and their expression, 'as music draws a dancer.' -- Stewart Conn.