Out of the Walled Garden: A Journey Through Memory and Verse is a powerful and deeply personal collection of poetry, spanning a decade of published works from 2001 to 2011. This new edition, far more comprehensive than the earlier version, brings together all of Clive Gilson's previously published poems, many of which have appeared in esteemed magazines and anthologies.
After the devastating loss of his wife, Karen, in 2010, Gilson stepped away from poetry, losing the drive to continue. But now, in revisiting these works, he's found a new sense of purpose-along with a renewed passion for the craft. In this collection, Gilson not only shares his poems but also includes reflective notes on the inspiration and emotions behind each piece, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of the poet.
This journey through his work is a meditation on memory, grief, and healing. Gilson's words paint a vivid picture of the human experience-how we drift from the people we once were, how life's trail can become tangled in the weeds of forgetfulness, and how poetry can help us clear those paths. With each poem, readers are invited to retrace those steps and reconnect with the moments that shape us.
At its core, Out of the Walled Garden is a celebration of resilience and the bittersweet nature of memory. It's a reminder that while some thoughts and memories may sting, the act of revisiting them can dull the pain and even bring a sense of joy. Gilson's journey through loss and nostalgia becomes a gift for readers-an exploration of life, love, and the quiet power of poetry to heal.
This is more than a collection of poems; it's a deeply human story told through verse-raw, poignant, and surprisingly fun. For anyone who has ever reflected on the past, grieved a loss, or simply wanted to understand the poet's heart, this collection offers a unique and moving experience.
