NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW

This is a pleasing pamphlet from HappenStance — A5, stapled and well-edited.

James Wood tackles a range of subjects relating to relationships and the business of getting through the day; with BLACK PEARL diving into the quest for utopia:

	The moon is a pocket torch in mist
	by the time you reach the seabed:
	all around you are oyster shells,

	huge, gaping traps that emerge
	from pillows of sand.  Rush to slice
	them open: the shells cradle pearls

	people who came at you like thieves
	are friendly pedestrians: psychopathic motorists change
	to happy commuters, and the shop on the corner
	remains a corner shop.  But crossing from one
	side to another brings no relief —

	The candle sharpens to a flame.  On the table
	the detritus of a dinner (orange zests,
	rinds of cheese, half-drunk glasses) lies
	scattered.  Faces merge into a symphony,
	voices clatter in defence of causes, and it seems
	these things could connect in harmony, coalesce,