In addition to the range of geographical and cultural differences, we also have a quite striking variety of styles and themes; from the wistfully sensitive poem The Sewing Basket, by award winning English poet, Jacob Polley, to the challenging, epic memorial poem, Uprising, by internationally renowned actor, writer and director, Steven Berkoff. This poem plunges us headlong into the brutal, hellish reality of 1943 Warsaw, which was the eventual scene of a heroic uprising against the Nazis. The inclusion of this piece serves as an excellent continuation of the previous issue’s exploration of poetic form, especially that of the long poem, which arguably facilitates deeper levels of immersion and identification with subject matter. Of course, hidden among these remarkable pieces of literature, you will also discover some hidden gems from lesser known writers, whom we are equally delighted to present. For among today’s unknown writers, must inevitably lie tomorrow’s literary greats. To accommodate the breadth and variety of contributions in this issue, we have extended the normal length. This is not a departure from previous issues, but rather a continuation of the magazine’s dedication to publishing excellent, challenging and diverse material, while always maintaining a balance between the work of well-known writers and that of fledgling talent. Thomas Chapman - Guest Editor
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THE LAMPETER REVIEW - Issue 4 - January 2012