Satire, Mischief and Joy: Anne Pender Launches Michael Sharkey's 'Another Fine Morning in Paradise'

Abstract

It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here this evening to launch Michael Sharkey's latest collection of poems, 'Another Fine Morning in Paradise'. I believe this is Michael's thirteenth volume of poetry. ... The marvelously ironic title of this collection, 'Another Fine Morning in Paradise', immediately suggests satire, mischief and joy. All of these things are present and abundant in this collection. I have enjoyed reading these poems immensely. There is pleasure awaiting you in reading this poetry - intense pleasure. But there is a sting in this poetry and you won't get off lightly. The poems on these silky pages will prick you, prod you and pin you to your seat. Have a look at the one called 'And Afterwards': no one is spared in this assault on funerary customs and the way we speak of the dead... And yet in the reading, and in the midst of what sometimes feels like an attack, A total disturbance, a disorienting disruption of everything - the poems have a liberating effect - they are liberating at every level: intellectually, aesthetically and emotionally. There is nothing predictable in the phrasing, or in the narrative arc of the poems here. This is where Michael's mastery of form, style and diction is so impressive. And before I get into some detail I want to stress the humour and astringency of so many of the poems in this collection.