‘Fieldsong’ poetry by Mandy Whyman

By Dawn A Denton

I am new to poetry. I have always believed poetry is for ‘clever people’. Maybe this belief comes from school.  I remember analysing poetry in English class with Mrs Van Aswegen and wondering why the ‘green grass’ in a poem was not just about the green grass. Why did it have to mean naivety?  It really frustrated me, and so I have not really read much poetry over the last 3 decades since I left school. Until now. ‘Fieldsong’ by Mandy Whyman has changed everything…

I am in love!

I am totally in love with Mandy’s style, how she plays with words and her passion for the outdoors. All the poems in this collection speak to me.  There is a strong relatable thread that runs through all the themes:  seasons, trees and plants, birds, weather and most importantly Mandy’s love of her dogs, which is incredibly moving.

My favourites

These poems made me smile, sigh, reminisce and I even got teary. It is so current too.  ‘Lockdown 2020’ is a poem that reflects on the muting of all the artificial sounds over the 20202 pandemic, but the continuing and uninterrupted cycle of life in the budding of the apple trees, the awakening of the daffodils and the ‘bursting of spring’.

‘You and Me, Tree’ was definitely one of my favourite poems.  I have read it many times as it says so much to me. It is playful, deep and thought-provoking.  It has even inspired me to be more aware of the trees I see on my walks and those in and around my own garden.

Mandy’s talent for poetry is clear.  Each poem has a different rhythm and a different ‘song’.  They all focus on something I have either experienced or long to be a part of. 

Something special

If you are looking for something special to warm the heart and inspire – for yourself or a friend – I urge you to pick up this collection of poems by the wonderful South African poet: ‘Fieldsong’ by Mandy Whyman – ‘Love poems to life in rural Essex’.

Mandy wrote a short poem about Africa for this African pendant