Lifeblood: A Book of Poems

Lifeblood: A Book of Poems is a 2003 collection of poetry by New Zealand-born British scholar and poet Joel Hayward.[1][2][3][4] It was Hayward’s first published poetry collection and his fourth book in general.

Lifeblood: A Book of Poems
Front cover
AuthorJoel Hayward
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Subjectpoetry
PublisherTotem Press
Publication date
2003
Media typeSoftcover
Pages100
ISBN0-9582446-1-8

Summary edit

Joel Hayward’s first collection of poems, Lifeblood contains poetry about his journey in search of knowledge and wisdom. Poems address issues of life, death, fate, religion, pain, and suffering.

Reviews edit

The Evening Standard wrote: "Memorable and insightful. ... Thumbs up for Hayward's work"[5]

Southern Ocean Review said that, "as an academic, and now as a poet and fiction writer, Hayward has achieved much. This is a complex book, and deserves a much longer review. Hayward is at home with the visceral, the cut and thrust of argument, war and death, pain and revenge. ... The poems are racy and innovative, a definite cut above the moderate fare currently on offer. You enter a whole new world when you read Joel Hayward's poetry."[6]

According to Chaff, "Hayward's eclectic poetry reflects his enigmatic mind. ... His poems are passionate and full of rich images and exert a strong and dignified intelligence. Hayward exerts a courageous strength, rebelling against his past creative constraints, and in perhaps a flush of originality and ambitious flair, has achieved a work of art."[7]

The reviewer for the Valley Micropress said: "The author sets out to deliver poetry that is relevant and accessible to the whole community. This he achieves. ... We are treated to a fascinating "OE" from the comfort of our favourite armchair drawn up to the log fire. ... So are you going on a journey? Staying by the fire? Either way you'll find Joel Hayward's Lifeblood a useful addition to your library."[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Joel Hayward Orcid 0000-0002-8015-3458". Orcid.
  2. ^ Joel Hayward. "Lifeblood: A Book of Poems". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. ^ Joel Hayward. "Lifeblood: A Book of Poems". University of Chicago. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  4. ^ Joel Hayward (May 2003). Lifeblood: A Book of Poems. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  5. ^ Evening Standard, 9 May 2003
  6. ^ Southern Ocean Review, Issue 27 (12th April 2003)
  7. ^ Chaff, 14 July 2003, p. 23
  8. ^ Valley Micropress, August 2003