Portrait

Tracy Patrick

Dec 2022 · earth love press

About this eBook

A debut collection of searingly honest poems written after the author’s diagnosis with cardiomyopathy at aged 42. Patrick looks for a poetic language, form and expression that gives meaning to her life-changing experiences. These poems use constraints, structure and the disintegration of structure in the search for the poet's truth. The result is funny, challenging and inventive, a reckoning with mortality that captures the fear of dying, vicissitudes of change, and the sheer the joy of being alive.

'In these poems, themes of sickness and health are interwoven with mortality and a search for self-honesty in work that is challenging, experimental, and oftentimes humorous. 'A brave and authentic rendering of what tested living feels like.' Donny O'Rourke.

'Portrait does not make for comfortable reading but its refusal to look away from the darker side of life coupled with brilliant, often breathtaking turns of phrase makes it a compelling read.' A C Clarke.

'Tracy Patrick's poetry resonates with emotion and probability. It contains a wealth of wisdom and strength on matters of existence, survival and love. Her voice captures uniquely the fragile joy of being alive.' Dr Jim Ferguson.

About the author

Tracy Patrick is a poet and novelist from Paisley, Scotland. Her debut novel, Blushing is for Sinners (Clochoderick Press, 2019), was commended by the Saltire First Book of the Year Award judges, 2019, and listed as one of The Bottle Imp's best Scottish Books, 2019. She has two poetry collections, Portrait (earth love press, 2022), Painting San Romano (earth love press, 2022), and a poetry pamphlet, Wild Eye Fire Eye (earth love press, 2015). Her next poetry publication is forthcoming with Maytree Press in 2023.