Waterbearer

by Stuart McPherson

Stuart McPherson's Waterbearer is a pamphlet dedicated 'to the survivors', focusing on an adult coming to terms with a traumatic childhood. McPherson's poetry is gripping and of immediate emotional depth, with rawness and rough edges, as if every line were painted black and tattooed to the page. Haunting and haunted, "like snow / for the beautiful dead" Waterbearer is a remarkable pamphlet, irrepressible like an asteroid tearing through the atmosphere, leaving exit wounds.

Genres: Poetry

38 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2021

About the author

Stuart McPherson is a poet and writer from Leicester in the United Kingdom. His work has appeared in publications such as Butchers Dog Magazine, Osmosis Press, The 6Press & Acropolis Journal. His debut micro-pamphlet ‘Pale Mnemonic’ was published in April 2021 by Legitimate Snack. His debut full length pamphlet ‘Water Bearer’ was published in December 2021 by Broken Sleep Books. His debut poetry collection ‘Obligate Carnivore’ is due to be published in August 2022, also by Broken Sleep Books.

Reviews

[Laylah]

Waterbearer focuses on an adult trying to come to terms with the impact of family dysfunction and childhood trauma. As a male survivor, Stuart explores the links between these experiences and the development of self concept and forms of masculinity. The pamphlet also covers the ways in which one attempts to cope and survive, and to protect their loved ones along the way.
Stuart's writing is beautifully lyrical and often weaves in the narratives of mythological characters. The poems have a haunting quality and depth of emotional insight which leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Waterbearer is an honest, thoughtful and compelling read which I cannot recommend enough.