Nina P.
Another perfect jewel of a book - Many Thanks.
Susan M.
I’m absolutely thrilled with this little book. The cover is so beautiful! Black and gold- like a little book of spells. The poems are wonderful, they speak to me of the magic and sacredness of all life and of nature in particular. My favourite at the moment is ‘The Worship of Place’. I’ve copied it into my book of favourite poems. The ones I read when I’m out in nature or for those moments when I wish I was. Thank you.
Teri F.
Having already been blown away by "Sometimes A Wild God" I have now read "Falconers Joy'. A deeply thoughtful and moving set of 5 poems.
Hedgespoken Press is a wonderful place to re-center our truth. Thank you
Karen K.
Thought provoking, awe inspiring, beautiful words that speak of an ancient world and create yearning for a joy out of reach.
Jackie Y.
A pamphlet, small but perfectly formed. Bought as a present for a special friend. Beautiful poetry by Tom Hirons, as ever.
Freyalyn C.
As beautiful as I'd expect from Hedgespoken! Nicely produced little booklet, lovely typeface and illustration, and words of magic.
Aurelie R.
High quality press that delivered quickly even to Germany. I love my chapbook!
Holly G.
As soon as I heard a reading of "sometimes a wild god", I knew I had to own a physical version. I was over the moon to see a poster available, and when my order arrived (quite promptly) it did not dissapoint.
It will be going beside my desk in my new painting studio.
J B.
The most beautiful books I’ve seen and read in a long time.
They remind me of books I have that were published in the 1970s by Out of the Ark Press.
Truly they are small, delicious treasures.
Carmen S.
Devastatingly beautiful.
Michael P.
Enjoyed reading the poems, especially "The Worship of Place".
Jennifer M.
I am entranced by these poems. Honestly I bought this book because of the graphics and the title. As a practicing falconer I jump on anything with the word falconer. And combined with joy this was even better. Of course the first poem I turned to was Falconer’s Joy. I had to smile at the apt descriptions. And the twist at the end is such an intrigue that I will read this poem many times. The other poems are just as mysteriously lovely. I find I can just “get and be” in them.
Cameron H.
'The dead fathers ' is my favourite poem here, speaking to me of relationships with ancestors and grief, my second favourite at the moment is probably the worship of place, the descriptions and allusion in terms of connection and love for the physical works is touching and echoes my own experiences... Great, moving, local poetry, look forward to reading more...
Katrina D.
Tom's poems are so rich with imagery that you can come to them time and again, each time discovering a new thread to pull on. Particularly lovely to read aloud and share with others.
Annie H.
These poems are very very beautiful.
I have clutched them to me these past weeks, walking and taking time to stop under trees and read again The Worship of Place or the powerful beauty of Merrivale, or to break again and weep again for The Falconer’s Joy. I want to meet the poet now! And to travel the country speaking these words!
Sue S.
As pure a magic as the nature that surrounds us ❤️❤️❤️
Whitney H.
Love it. Thank yall so much!
Kevin P.
A collection I have gone through several times and each time find new layers I didn't see before, heard different meanings from my last walk through, and revealed new insights that surprise and delight.
marilyn f.
Love this person’s work.
Deep and profound.
I can identify with a lot of this.
Thank you.
Hilary J.
Even if you don't often read poetry, read this
Clive U.
All of Hedgespoken works attract attention in our shop.
We were first drawn to Hedgespoken because of 'Twilight by Jay Griffiths'.
Chadwick K.
I absolutely love this little collection of books, as well as Falconer’s Joy. This is my second order from this small publisher, (the first being Sometimes a Wild God,) and I cannot speak highly enough of their work. The poetry is gorgeous, the storytelling is amazing, and the presentation is... perfect. The soul and depth captured in their works is hard to find, and I will surely treasure these beautiful pieces until the end of my days.
Alice A.
Brought release to all the tears I was afraid to cry and with it soothing relief. These words will stay a part of me forever.
Siobhan E.
What can I say... I love this poem so much... Sometimes a wild god ♥️
In both my personal life and my work as a psychotherapist, I find Toms words enriching and full of truth and energy and I love Rinas illustrations ♥️
all the way!
Siobhan
Tim C.
Tom i bought this book to give as a little present to a friend but im having a problem posting it to them cos i read it and love it. Im gonna have to buy another one. Just love it.
Pamela L.
I received two pieces from your publishing house: the Firebird and Falconer's Joy. Both, as expected, were excellent and the illustrations in Firebird were beautiful--again, as expected.
Of the five poems in Falconer's Joy, The Worship of Place resonated most deeply with me. We have lived for 25 years on 8.5 acres in a forest hollow and are bound heart and soul to this place. We have tried to leave as small a footprint as possible whilst protecting this small piece of land and its animate and inanimate inhabitants. Much of our 'worship' involves the removal of exotic invasive plant species and planting a wide variety of native trees to replace those killed by invasive insect species.
My mother was half Native American and I can hear her voice in 'Worship'. Thank you for this gift.
Pamela J Luttrell
P.S. I also have Nettle-Eater and Sometimes a Wild God. I keep Wild God by my chair and read it when I feel the need. Falconer's Song will join it.
Tara G.
I have no photo of my Falconer's Joy so have uploaded a photo of my own falcon who is a sometimes very wet magpie named Fiain. The Lapwing Stars dragged me deep into the firelight by which our ancestors saw enough to paint the day on the cave walls, for me this collection takes up where Alan Garner's 'Red Shift left off. The Worship of Place should (I hate the word 'should' although it also makes me think of shoulders which are ok) be taught in schools for those people who send their children to schools- if it was taught in one man's school perhaps the tragedy that happened in my country of NZ two days ago wouldn't have happened. I curl inside the bear of Merrivale and await the directive from my own lives and the quest set me. The Falconer makes me weep for remorse and The Dead Fathers renewed my threads. Beautiful book.
Paige H.
Excellent writing of the kind most needed in the world today.
KATHLEEN S.
I was recommended this and also viewed it on the web...so glad I have my own copy to read again and again
penny r.
Absolutely beautiful poetry, clear and powerful.
Gorgeously presented. A heart-warming gift for my best friend.
Judith J.
I loved 'Sometimes a Wild God' and really looked forward to getting 'Falconer's Joy'. When I read it I was delighted. This little book IS a joy. The 5 poems are beautiful, touching and show a real connection with the natural world. They will be read with pleasure amongst friends at Samhain at Saxonhouse.
Judith O.
Tom Hirons never fails to impress!
Limpid and beautiful, his words always bring meaning and understanding with them.
I have all of the chapbooks and save them in their mailers as the treasures they are.
tara s.
For folk lost in this age, Toms words speak with a radiance that will char the cloying shrink wrap of modernity and banish the ashes to the new winds. Fertigating lands, waters and beasts with rare earth elements. As we migrate towards a past future. Kindling spirits our souls know full well how to steer. Sacred psalms of another era.
Hedgespoken, heralds of hearts hope.
Alan M.
I found your poems absolutely delightful. I read each one three times over slowly, and sat back with a very fine feeling that some deep emotion was being gently stirred to wake up and take notice.
I have since misplaced it. I know it will re-emerge at some time and I am looking forward to that time very much.
Thank you.
Sarah A.
Endearing little book beautifully made with words to enchant and inspire. A delightful book for building up one's own mythological library/repetoire
Helen T.
Always a pleasure to receive books in the post from Hedgespoken, and this chapbook is no exception! A particular pleasure to find a poem I hadn’t read before ‘The dead fathers’ nestled at the back.
When is Tom going to be offering poetry workshops? I would love to gather round a fire for a day or two, tell tales and sharpen some my own poems under his eye.... anyway, thank you for sharing words which live and breathe and hum with vitality, it’s deeply necessary.
Freyalyn C.
Wild, still, dark, perfect.
I read this aloud to myself when I'm on my own, and blend it with the wool when I spin yarn.
Kim G.
Tom has done it again. His poetry evokes strong visceral connections to another realm. And Rimas art is, as always, spot on and wonderful. What a dynamic duo. And what a wonderful gift my “extra” edition will be for a dear friend this Yule.
Laurie M.
As with all of Tom's work, most recently The Firebird, which I cannot recommend highly enough as an insightful and sensitive retelling of what can be a baffling folk tale, Falconer's Joy has been, well, a joy to read. Only been through it once, slowly in order to savour every line. Starting again at the beginning tonight!
Kathleen J.
Lovely, gently wild poems in a perfectly sized book.
Kay L.
I always enjoy receiving a parcel from Hedgespoken and the latest one contained Falconer's Joy. I have read it in my new half painted summer house with a cuppa and background of Birdsong. It is a moving delightful journey into his world and so many thanks Tom Hirons for sharing so much Love. I shall be back to the shop soon, no doubt.
Kay Leverton
