Oz Hardwick Knihy

Reports Come In is a visceral surrealist collage of scenes from a fracturing world. Corruption, conflict and catastrophe adopt a grotesque beauty as Hardwick holds them up to the light of a bare bulb swinging in an abandoned house, revealing their shadow-stained hearts. Angry and cut with black wit, the poems present the perfect antidote to the trite narratives and vacuous three-word slogans of contemporary political discourse. "A writer who reaches places other poets can't go to. A semi genius working on his Godhood and a welcome multiple contributor to International Times." - Nick Victor

Focusing on the interplay between nature and societal issues, the book explores themes of climate change, inequality, and power dynamics. Through a unique collection of symbolic animals, it critiques the moral stagnation in society while offering an exegetical lens on modern challenges. By repurposing language from various sources, it creates allegorical representations that challenge misconceptions. Additionally, it includes analyses of prophetic processes related to financial districts, highlighting the consequences of unethical practices.

Set in a parallel world, this elliptical prose poem explores themes of memory, faith, and desire amidst urban landscapes and forgotten churches. The narrative is punctuated by the enigmatic presence of the Big Bad Wolf, whose character challenges traditional notions of good and evil. With its hallucinatory style and rich imagery, the work offers a distinctive perspective on contemporary existence, reflecting a fractured reality reminiscent of a broken mirror. This imaginative journey resonates with the complexities of modern life.

Exploring the nature of time through innovative prose poetry, Oz Hardwick's work combines past, present, and future in a unique sequence of 18 Discrete Fragments. Each fragment transforms moments into rich imagery, likening them to sand, egg yolk, or falling leaves. Hardwick's approach elevates memoir beyond traditional storytelling, emphasizing imaginative perception and intricate patterns over simple anecdotes, earning him comparisons to Einstein for his reconfiguration of time and space.

Focusing on the disillusionment of youth, the guide explores the gap between childhood dreams and adult realities. It reflects on the changing perceptions of the future, contrasting nostalgic views with contemporary challenges. Through a critical lens, the author addresses themes of rebellion and societal expectations, inviting readers to reconsider the narratives shaped by their past.

The prose poems create a vivid, haunting landscape where the past and present intertwine. Through the lens of memory, both the living and the dead interact in a world filled with echoes of childhood and the remnants of life. The imagery of birds and buildings evokes a sense of nostalgia, while the unique structure and rhythm of the poems offer a fresh perspective on themes of loss and recovery. Hardwick's mastery of the form results in a powerful and original collection that resonates deeply with readers.

Oz Hardwick is a multifaceted artist from York, England, known for his contributions as a poet, photographer, musician, and academic. His poetry collections, including the award-winning Learning to Have Lost and the recent Wolf Planet, showcase his talent in prose poetry. With nine full collections and numerous publications in international journals, he has also made significant contributions to anthologies, notably co-editing The Valley Press Anthology of Prose Poetry. Currently, he serves as a Professor of Creative Writing at Leeds Trinity University.

The collection features five prose poets who delve into the Five major oceans—Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic—through 21-part poetic sequences. Each sequence provides a unique and often nuanced reflection on these immense bodies of water, collectively examining humanity's complex relationship with the ocean as a singular entity. The poems evoke both inspiration and concern, highlighting the profound connections we have with these vital ecosystems.