'The poems in semi are a variety show of experimental forms and more traditional lyrics. The persistence of memory and re-examination of history are important themes. The poems also look forward and embrace change and uncertainty. Experiments with hybrid forms are a creative response to topics recently explored in Bullock’s PhD thesis on semiotics. In order to evolve, poetry has to disrupt expectations, even as it references the familiar. These poems reflect the age we live in and the language of now, with its quick-fire reports from multiple media.' (Publication summary)
'It’s funny how much a book of poetry can carry what one feels to be the essence of a person in text form – at least, I’m often struck by that. And I guess the lovely thing about that is that sometimes you can have the book where you might not have the person. This book is a great example. I feel like this is a kind of portable Owen – it has all his gentleness, the good humour and the vaudevillean variety, the honesty that has both a lightness of touch and a resonant depth.' (Introduction)
'It’s funny how much a book of poetry can carry what one feels to be the essence of a person in text form – at least, I’m often struck by that. And I guess the lovely thing about that is that sometimes you can have the book where you might not have the person. This book is a great example. I feel like this is a kind of portable Owen – it has all his gentleness, the good humour and the vaudevillean variety, the honesty that has both a lightness of touch and a resonant depth.' (Introduction)
