In Symbiosis, words spring up from starved soil, an esoteric chant in two parts between Patricia and Brian, man and land, earth and sky, star and universe, simple stone and the concept of creation. Poems rise like soldiering trunks in spite of the weeds spreading lazy across the land. Part gnostic, part naturalist though always a conduit of alchemy, these are journeys between heaven and hell, black water, hidden gates and wings - from damselfly to doves, freshly alight in the olive garden. This duo are Monk and Gypsy, on route separately towards the circumference of all things, being burnt and beaten, being jabbed and bettered. Here, two very distinctive voices shimmer off each other in their fearless flight and descent into the underworld. Language here is limited but lush, it gathers on the tongue, teases poietic on the buds before winding its way to the guts of an amber sun sinking into the sea, that will swell with rejuvenation when day turns back to light. Symbiosis - circular and sensate, from devote to agnostic, there is a song here for everyone, and for everyone, there is a place. Between the flame and the flood and the next spark in the continuum, this genesis of a collection draws the reader in, like a cool glass of water at the back end of the desert.

• Damien B Donnelly Poetry