First Leaves

First Leaves is a collection of poems by members of Kenilworth Poetry Stanza. The anthology includes a wide range of styles and poetic voices from across Coventry and  Warwickshire. Kenilworth Poetry Stanza  was established in 2025 and is part of the nationwide network of Poetry Stanza groups linked to the Poetry Society.

As well as experienced poets whose work has been published or performed widely, the group includes people coming to poetry for the first time or coming back to poetry after a long break. Members include two Coventry Poets Laureate and the authors of full-collections from Nine Arches Press and Templar Poetry.

The poems in First Leaves have been chosen to highlight diverse subjects, themes and insights. While many of the poems have their roots in the life and landscape of the Midlands, others draw inspiration from events and concerns that might, at first sight, appear more remote.

Contributors

Ann Atkins, Wendy Barzetovic, Maxine Burns, Sharan Cheema, Oliver Comins, Olga Dermott-Bond, Robert Gainer, Catherine Glavina, Michala Gyetvai, Jane Killingbeck, Emilie Lauren Jones, Andrea Mbarushimana, Penny McCulloch, Matthew Rhodes & Amy Rugg.

Cover artwork by Michala Gyetvai.

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