Pirate Conductor is poet Paul Tait’s third book of verse, with previous volumes being Markings in the Cave and Stray Lines. Verse has been historically defined as writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme. More recently, however, verse has come to represent any division or grouping of words in a poetic composition. Tait offers all of the above, with almost a flair for the uncaring, as if the words merely flow from him without rhyme or reason, simply to be there; to shock, to provoke thought, and to wrench emotion from his readers as they read the words he has laid bare. In other words, he has laid bare his soul in snatches of words grouped together in what is known, and commonly accepted as, “verse”.

Tait’s offerings are as varied as his emotional spectrum from Sad Soul Part of Me to After Her Death to Bleeding Internal to the hauntingly poignant The Splinter and the Beam. Not all of his offerings are sad, however. He offers us the hope that comes with first love in My God It Really Happened, to the more upbeat Sunday Morning Service, to my personal favorite, Summer Distance Autumn State. Poetry is visceral and subjective and, sometimes, it’s the words that make up a title that truly resonate. Tait has some interesting ones such as Pedestrian Eloquence, Middle Ground Abstract, Carefree Lightfoot and Apart from My Eyes and Face. Whatever your mood, whatever your emotional need, Paul Tait’s Pirate Conductor has something for all lovers of poetry.

Pirate Conductor by Paul Tait is a volume of short poems that cover a wide range of topics, including things like graduating from high school and being forced to move on with one's life, to love as both a burden and a joy. It is his third such volume and contains a great number of poems. I particularly liked 'When the nights were warm' and 'Period Peace' for their elegant simplicity and the flow hidden within the lines of the text. The latter poem contains only a series of words followed by exaggerated punctuation and was quite interesting. This volume is full of poems of various styles, but few of them go beyond a few simple stanzas into anything longer. They are all punchy, though, with powerfully chosen words that are quite impactful.

The formatting and punctuation is limited for effect, and even the capitalization is intentionally inconsistent to make the entire work feel a tad dystopian, an effect which can feel a little bit forced at times, but overall it works. Also, the sheer number of poems actually takes some of the punch away from the volume. There were more than a few excellent works and some of them were very impactful. All in all, Pirate Conductor by Paul Tait is a worthy volume of poetry sure to entertain many different readers who enjoy non-themed but excellent poetry!

Pirate Conductor by Paul Tait is a collection of deeply touching and impeccable poems about life in its various ways and with its endless pleasures and pains. Some of the poems depict life's complexity while others challenge these to show life's sheer simplicity, with the two contrasting angles forming a perfect blend of poems. The distinctiveness of the poems in Pirate Conductor flows straight from the alluring titles to the unique style of poetry, expressing deeply moving emotions. Each of the poems is brief, and yet carries so much depth and so much emotion.

Pirate Conductor by Paul Tait contains poems presented with an almost enchanting rhythm and a tone that will captivate your mind. The poems deliver and depict the elusive promise of life, love, pleasure and happiness that is just right there but somehow out of reach. Some of these poems present like a delicate and elusive dance between pain and pleasure, intended to speak directly to your heart - unleashing a flood of raw emotions. The beauty of Paul Tait's poems is in their depth and how multi-faceted they are; you have to draw compound meanings from each poem, making them fitting for any moment in life. If you are looking for a one of a kind poetry book that will draw you in and take you away, Paul Tait's Pirate Conductor is the book you are looking for. You will find it an enchantingly thrilling read. Presented in their raw form, the emotions are genuine and deeply reaching, making for an exciting moment.