The Marta Poems

Born and raised in England, Susan J. Atkinson is both an award winning poet and award winning teacher. Her poems have been widely published in journals and anthologies in print and online. She also writes poetry and stories for children and currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario where she and her film maker husband have raised their four daughters. The Marta Poems is her first collection of poetry.

The Marta Poems is a collection which showcases the strength of the human spirit through the story of Marta, whose life weaves from Poland to Siberia, from Rhodesia to England, and then finally to Canada. Her path is a familiar one for many who were displaced during WWII and highlights the struggles of the ordinary surviving the extraordinary. Marta's plight will be familiar to many, as she endeavours to find a home, and she becomes an unlikely spokesperson for so many unheard voices.
The elements of history provide the backdrop for Marta's story. The poems explore the many complexities of a lifetime defined by hardship and intense emotion that was influenced by the invasion of Poland, World War II, refuge, displacement, and loss. Themes of sorrow and separation intertwine with the search for a better life.

This collection will find a market and readership beyond the poetry/literary community as its appeal will also stretch to those interested in history.