In DRY BONES, readers travel into the outback from page one, ready or not, into unknown territory where they can dance in the dirt and walk with horses. This poetry is a solo journey toward the center of the earth; toward the core of our Being as we struggle within the hollowness of modern humanity.
John Holland is a warm blooded writer with a true appreciation for the beauty of his country and the big expanse of nature. And, while he is sparse with his words and metaphors, he conveys a dreamlike image of moving through the desert in search of dry bones and a true voice.
Holland’s poems travel like song-lines over the land he loves, circling, touching, giving voice to the heartland of the tropical north. He speaks in the moods and languages of the country around him as he examines people and their connections to place, love and loss, as a whole way of life vanishes. The land’s ancient rhythms sound through his words; the music of the bush is not blotted out by the sounds of the city, it still plays gently in the background.
Here we see something different to what we have come to expect from current poets. The beat and rhythm of Australian poetry are there, but there is also a far deeper questioning of why and how we are here and our connection to an uncertain universe. If there is such a thing as a Cowboy Zen guy, well John Holland is surely that man. For under the camouflage of a rugged skin and bones is a soul that feels deeply and can see with clarity in to the quivering heart of humanity as it struggles to survive the heat of betrayal and surrender in love.
DRY BONES will not leave you untouched.
Dry Bones on Amazon: http://amzn.to/VpPOhp
Brad Cotton: Describe Dry Bones in a short sentence.
John Holland: A poetry collection. My poetry is about life and our connection to an uncertain universe.
BC: Give us a a great line, sentence, or short paragraph:
JH: A fragment from the poem Breaking Even.
“The virgin day
leaks liquid sunlight
as a morning shower
speckles roofs.
Life deals.
I fold.”
BC: Why did you become a writer?
JH: I’ve been interested in writing since I was a child. I always intended to write someday. I grew up in a family that loved poetry. My Father would read or recite poetry to me and my siblings often.
BC: How do you feel about your writing months/years removed from it?
JH: My confidence in myself as a writer waxes and wanes on a daily basis. But mostly I’m happy about myself. I think my greatest strength as a writer is my originality in form and concept.
BC: What is the worst habit you hang onto because you write?
JH: Reclusiveness. I tend to not socialize much at all.
BC: Where do you write most often? What do you need or what can’t you have around you?
JH: I have a small home office. There is a large desk. A desktop computer. Printer. Guillotine (not of the French type). A bookcase and a single bed. I hate noise when I’m trying to write usually. But if I’m stuck I put on some 80’s Aussie rock on in the background.
BC: How did you get your first book published?
JH: I had sent the manuscript to a poet friend in New Zealand (Mercedes Webb-Pullman) she was starting up her own publishing business. However because of illness she had to postpone her plans. She sent the manuscript off to Lazarus Media which are based in Las Vegas, USA. As she has connections with them. They offered to publish Dry Bones as an e-book. So here we are.
BC: Who do you write for?
JH: I like to think my audience is international. My website is called Poetry Sans Frontieres to reflect that.
BC: What is your ultimate goal for your writing?
JH: Just to be widely read and respected for what I do.
BC: Why should we buy your book?
JH: Dry Bones is a collection that challenges the reader to take a closer look at where we are and why we are. A great strength is originality in style, form and concept.
BC: What are some other books you recommend?
JH: Apart from my next book Under The Dog Star which will be on the shelves soon, I thoroughly recommend readers take a look at: After The Danse: Mercedes Webb-Pullman. Ghost Dreaming: Leanne Hanson. The Sun Chasers: Michele Gaddes.
BC: What’s your advice to aspiring writers?
JH: The hardest part about writing, regardless of genre, is starting. Type or scribble a line and go from there. Sounds simple? No it isn’t. But remember we all have doubts and suffer bouts of being less confident in our ability.
BC: What are you reading now?
JH: I’m reading a manuscript by the wonderful writer Nia Simone who lives in the San Francisco Bay area. http://niasimoneauthor.com
BC: Name a great movie you recently saw.
JH: I haven’t been to the movies for too long. My favourite movie is probably the New Zealand movie, Once Were Warriors.
BC: What about a current favorite band?
JH: I’m stuck in the 80’s. But I do like Kings of Leon.
BC: Some websites you visit often?
JH: Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Poetry Sans Frontieres. Allpoetry. Cricinfo.
BC: And lastly, tell us about your upcoming projects.
JH: Under The Dog Star will be out soon. Check out Poetry Sans Frontieres for news. I also have a WIP called Sirius Revisited (a follow up to Under The Dog Star) and an unnamed WIP about relationships.
Parting words from John: Readers can also contact me via the contact form at the bottom of the home page at my website. If they are interested in obtaining a hand-signed First Print Edition copy. I’ll also be adding an online store to the website soon. http://poetrysansfrontieres.weebly.com/
Click below and get yourself a copy of DRY BONES today.
