“Cityscapes and Other Poems”

by Neil Leadbeater

Cyberwit, Copyright 2023

Review by LB Sedlacek

“Cityscapes and Other Poems” is a captivating collection that skillfully navigates intricate emotions and realms.  Leadbeater exhibits fine craftsmanship with these poems.  They draw readers into a world that weaves a complex yet very human experience.

The book opens with a section of Norwegian poems that vividly depict the area.  The poems reflect life outdoors and life in general in several Norwegian cities.  They teem with wonder and evoke an actual sense of feeling or being present in these places.  Leadbeater has absolutely mastered the place poem or a poem that gives the feeling of being in a particular place.

The sections in this book seamlessly blend nicely with one another serving as a backdrop for each.  This creates a powerful resonance almost offering a multi-dimensional quality of sorts. 

From the poem: “Postcards from Rovaniemi”:

“Could be Santa Claus Land.

Opening the curtains one morning

he found the road and the buildings opposite

caught in the depth of winter. Reindeer everywhere.

It would not always be like this –

you had to catch the moment

of pure undriven snow,

of St Nicholas wanting to give every child

the white wonder of Christmas.”

The poet has a good grasp of language and makes it accessible to the reader.  It invites in any type of poetry reader and makes them feel comfortable and at home while reading his book.

Leadbeater propels his poetry forward to make those connections with readers only a poem can make.  They open with momentum and close with possibilities.

My favorite poem in the collection is “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in which the painting seems to come to life in want or need of a break from being a painting.  Leadbeater is adept at creating a world within each poem and home or place for the poem to rest allowing the reader to ease right into every verse.

It is always a pleasure to lose one’s self inside or within the lines of a good poem.  And that is what makes this book from Leadbeater a poetry collection not to be missed!

~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Unresponsive Sky,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “I’m No Robot,” “Swim,” and “Words and Bones.”  Her most recent short stories book is “Motor Addiction & The Renovator” and her poem novel is “The Blue Eyed Side.”