On the Shoulders of Lions is Tina's first collection of poetry and is an eclectic mix of life experience and everyday observations. The title is taken from one of her more nostalgic, serious poems, Stone, a tribute to her late father, Bob Bryan, to whom the book is dedicated. Stone recounts Tina's Sunday childhood walks with her Dad through Portsmouth and the end of the poem brings us sadly to his sudden death in 2018.
The first section, On being a woman is focused on a female perspective of life ranging from the frivolous (swishy ponytails and dangly earrings) to female rites of passage (Feeling fifty-four).
On nature and the elements places us on more traditional poetic territory, revealing a pleasure and indulgence in language. The flower imagery in An afternoon walk in late summer garden is romantically charming, conveying the wistful, dying days of summer, 'blowsy, overblown white roses fading gracefully in shabby chic splendour.'
Tina's eye for mischief comes into play in her poems about thwarted love and disappointing relationships. The Ballad of Kevin and Sue and Lazy Lover have been influenced by the robust songs of her favourite comedian, the late Victoria Wood, in which she pokes fun at the opposite sex's failings, but always with good-hearted humour.
Enjoy the magic and mystique of The Spell of The Gypsy Queen and Scorpio Moon alongside Tina's down-to-earth musings on the menopause and the joys of a cuppa tea. Meet colourful, cheeky characters such as Fruity Fred (with his melons and figs and dancing jigs) and Burger Flippin' Joe (he knows how to tempt you with An extra portion). Prepare to be touched by reflections on love, loss and death in Just seventeen, Hawk and Amy, we loved you.
Touching, poignant, joyful, comical -Tina is a poet with range.
