Jon Miller 
Past Tense Future Imperfect 

In these rich and witty poems, we encounter a gallery of characters, voices and situations in various stages of emotional undress and bewilderment, fretting at just the wrong distance from reality in railway stations, ferries, restaurants, war zones and watery dystopias. They are filmic pieces that announce the arrival of an unusually gifted poet, in a short collection much bigger than its size – entertaining, disturbing and despite the odds curiously life-affirming.Here, the poet makes the seemingly mundane scenes and interactions extraordinary, with stunning language and unforgettable images. Whether the poet talks about ‘My cousin with the sensitive ears / winces as he unbuckles his memory / listens to wallpaper peeling’ or a Nativity play where ‘Straw lies about as if someone has detonated a scarecrow’, the poet showcases remarkable skills in exploring deep, human relationships. – Romalyn Ante, co-judge of the International Book & Pamphlet Competition

Circa l’autore

Jon Miller lives near Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands and has had poetry published in a wide range of literary magazines as well as being a contributor of book and exhibition reviews and literary journalism. He was formerly editor of Northwords Now, a magazine featuring writing from the north of Scotland. He was short-listed for the Wigtown Poetry Prize in 2021 and awarded joint First Place in the Neil Gunn Poetry Competition 2022.