Speaking in Tongues

Laura’s third collection with Flapjack Press is a rallying call for action and challenges inequality, oppression and division with passion, objectivity, empathy and humour. It explores the slippery and inconclusive condition of language, the power of ideology, and the process of myth-making. This is politically astute, socially conscious and uncompromising poetry which addresses the wellbeing of a diverse nation governed by a political and social elite and their culpability. Laura Taylor was born into a working-class family in the North of England. Obsessed by words and language since childhood, everything fell into place when she stumbled across semiotics and its psychedelic tentacles. “This is Taylor at her best. Her energy, anger and passion are apparent in every word. Her writing is urgent, powerful and her punches land. A must-have collection. Buy this book.” Emma Purshouse, poet laureate for Wolverhampton “Poems to have a beer with, to sit round a fire and keep warm with, to rage against the system with, to take to the streets with.” Steph Pike, poet “Tongues of fire in a time of plague. Raging against conspiracy theorists, defending the vulnerable, the homeless, the old, the hardest hit in the worst of times. A supremely clever working-class poet.” Attila the Stockbroker, poet & musician “If there was an equivalent of Masterchef for cooking words into exquisitely tasty and surprising dishes, then Taylor would win it. Hot. Flavourful. Authentic. Instant pleasure with a long, lingering aftertaste.” Janine Booth, poet & writer “At times forceful, at others lyrical … crosses from personal to political and cross-examines who we were and who we have become.” Winston Plowes, poet “This is Taylor’s best yet. Her language is lush and confident, and her range is limitless … wise, honest, funny, angry, mature and assured. This book is the tonic we all need.” Cathy Thomas-Bryant, Puppywolf