“What's poetry, if it's worth its salt, / but a phrase men can pass from hand to mouth?”

"One of our most promising young talents, Jay Bernard writes powerful and sensuous scenes from the metropolis: a teenager flies like a moth, a woman with scissors sings bees. Disturbing, joyous and always surprising.” – Pascale Petit.

"Tempest has forged their own voice, unlike anything else in the mainstream poetry world." - The Independent

pared-down precision and scorching intensity - Helen Dunmore

This marvellous book has exceeded my expectations...it displays admirable craftsmanship, a subtle, musical ear and immense variety. John Mole on the Collected Poems of Sylvia Townsend Warner, South West Review

I don't want to write poems that aren't necessary. - Maxine Kumin