'A Minor', 'Corn and Cockcrow', 'How Old Is Ian Tyson?' - Three Poems in fermata

fermata is a collection of poetry and prose responding to the universally appealing theme of music edited by Eva Bourke and Vincent Woods. A fermata in musical notation is a pause or a hold extending the length of the note played, literally a breathing space. The strong connection between music and word is embodied in this diverse compilation of writings on music in poetry and prose. It is a chorus of diverse and lively voices in response to the most beloved of all the arts.

The writings of the sixty-five contributors is all-embracing, they respond to the music inspired by singers, composers, musicians, dancers and nature. From Bach, Shostakovich, Saint Saëns, Fauré to a lullaby in a dead South African language, from a practice session in a community centre to the melodious litany for a wagtail, from elegies for Elvis and a lament for Johnny Cash.