Write Bloody Publishing
The Map of My Vanishing by Richard James
The Map of My Vanishing by Richard James
These poems came out of journals that James kept over almost a decade, mostly between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five.
Together, they tell the coming-of-age story of a boy who begins by wanting desperately to love the world, but gradually finding himself torn down by it. This collection moves through desire, queerness, class, shame, melancholy and the graceful or graceless ways we learn to survive ourselves. Some are angry, some are funny, most are tender, and as the collection's narrative moves forward - we watch our protagonist fall short in his pursuit of greatness, culminating to a final reckoning.
This is proof that British poets still have it. That a young, queer voice will again secure a seat at the table. That poetry still has the power to break you, heal you, and leave you breathless. There is nothing like The Map of My Vanishing.
What will never again be true.
Face it, coward. The heaviness it stirs in you.
Run it through your hands like rosary.
Stare at it; stare through it: compel it to its knees.
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Richard James is a young, queer poet from London whose work blends raw confessionalism with lyrical precision. Writing at the intersection of longing, identity, and survival, James crafts poetry for thinkers, feelers, and dreamers. James’ work seeks to expand the audience of contemporary poetry, inviting readers into an intimate dialogue of heartache and hope.
