Black Mascara (Waterproof)

In Rosalind Easton's lively and inventive debut collection, everyday objects are invested with glamour and drama: a mascara wand and a pair of peacock suede stilettos are brought to life in poems exploring the complexities of relationships, and a Mayfair lingerie store provides the setting for a transformative bra fitting experience. A diverse range of literary and cultural references inspires several poems, with the poet's grandmother coming back to life as a book to 'play intellectual drinking games with Shakespeare', and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor taking over the running of a secondary school. In other poems, Tilda Swinton's magazine photo shoot as David Bowie sparks an exploration of the relationship between history and identity, and a night at the Shepherd's Bush Empire with Suede becomes a celebration of the enduring power of teenage memories.

Rosalind Easton grew up in Salisbury and now lives in South East London, where she works as an English teacher. After a first degree at Exeter University, she trained as a dance teacher and spent several years teaching tap, modern and ballet before completing her PGCE at Bristol and MA at Goldsmiths. She has recently completed her PhD thesis on Sarah Waters. Black Mascara (Waterproof) is her first collection.