On reading this book of poems – where to begin…… Raleigh has expressed simply and beautifully a vast explosion of ideas that cover thoughts, feelings , emotions, from the personal to the literally universal, poems about everything we humans have often wondered about, laughed, cried, got angry about, from here to there and everywhere, in other words, “life, the universe and everything.”

Here are some truly special features of this all-encompassing book of widely diverse poems:

Raleigh tells us he emerged from a dark place of mental health to experience the new life, from himself, the birth of his daughter. Such love that a parent feels, like no other, was a springboard, if you will, to launch himself back to the realisation of life itself and its marvel. He felt positivity with such clarity about so many aspects of our existence. He felt stronger, more balanced when facing life’s contradictions. It was also love of and from others that lifted him from a bad place to a place of light.

Raleigh had written before, in prose “The Dichotic Dilemma, the Fabric of Life,” about our world of opposites, thrashing his way through its meaning, expressing gloom and light. For example, we have love, yet we kill, this human condition in equal measure.

However, here, in “Ottilie Rose,” I believe Raleigh managed a breakthrough in understanding and acceptance.

All poems are expressed in simple, everyday language, accessible to most, they are clear, direct, using ‘nail on the head’ words.

Raleigh has obviously thought about everything, not possible to make a list here, so to choose a topic, the political poems about inequality, Africa, imperialism, colonialism, racism, I share the sentiments, asking how did we humans get to this point?

Then beyond the real world and into other realms, what is it to be a human being? Our systems, he says, lead us to forget that…… to be human beings.

Each poem is a significant ‘stand-alone’ entity. The book is ideal for young adults in their courses of study over several disciplines, especially modern literature or philosophy but more besides. Each poem can be a starting point for debate, discussion and comparisons with other writers’ works. Each one can lead to an extension of that concept, for example time, I wonder, is that actually a real thing at all?

Anyone can read a poem from the book and spend the rest of the day ‘chewing the cud’ over it. For instance, what is the human condition, emotional, cerebral, what is consciousness, we all wonder? We can relate entirely to what Raleigh is asking.

Raleigh has sent my mind on journeys all day, so I recommend you look at this collection of poems. It will set your mind on a path where perhaps you could write and share thoughts of your own. This book can help us all “be human.”

Ottilie Rose

A Truly reflective and thought provoking piece of writing.

My wife who has Parkinson’s asked if I could read it aloud to her.

By the time we got past the introduction and the first poem, we had to reach for another pack of tissues as we found it very touching and very emotional. It had a real impact on us straight away.

Very beautifully written and heartfelt.

Loved the body of work and the way some of the poems gave deeper meaning each time. One to read over and over as it keeps giving each read.

Raleigh has a very unique style of writing- both beautiful and thought provoking. It’s very powerful in its pure simplicity.

These poems get right to the heart of the world we live in both at a personal and political level.

I have never read so many poems that deal so well with the important issues of our personal and political lives, getting so close to the heart of their topics. Full of joy and sadness and as with other reviewers I shed tears both of joy and sadness. Well worth a read and worth sharing with others

I really enjoyed reflecting on on my own evolving world views as I read those of the author.....often resonanting with the existential musings and feeling challenged to consider those I did not share.