Fractional Moments - 52 Poems by Penny Plowman

This powerful and emotive collection of 52 poems by Penny Plowman takes the reader on a journey through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March 2020, each poem represents one week of the experience.

This is a beautiful book full of honest reflections, notes to remind us of what events were unfolding at the time the poems were written with photographs and illustrations enriching the visual experience of the poems.

The poem 'Size of stadiums' reads

'Numbers are people are families are parents are siblings are aunts are uncles are children are teachers are nurses are doctors are all of us'

This poem reminds us of the sheer numbers that were read out at the daily government press conferences in the UK relating to the number of people infected with COVID-19 and the number of deaths due to the virus.

Penny draws our attention back to who these numbers are referring to and that the virus affected every section of our society and that nobody was safe.

Penny tenderly and honestly captures the enormity of the impact of the pandemic on families, friends and communities. She carefully pulls at the threads of uncertainty and fear many of experienced during the pandemic whilst reminding us of the importance of everyday routines that keep many of us going.

Penny offers the reader glimmers of hope whilst carrying the weight of so much loss and world wide grief.