‘Poetry is the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.’ So said legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen and this collection of poems by Ruth Leigh shows a life burning well, filled with joy and sorrow, past and present, light and shade.

From failed holiday romances to musings on gluten-free salad to a love affair with a background of paint chart colours, this selection of odes is a mix of the expected and the left field in a celebration of life.

With background notes on each poem and a wide range of topics, this poetry collection is evidence of a challenging and eventful life.

“What a box of delights A Little Book of Unexpected Poetry is! Ruth Leigh’s charm and wit are evident in spades, but so also is her compassion, her empathy and her understanding of the human condition. With a mixture of poem styles, genres and subjects, there’s something for everyone here, and you will find yourself laughing and weeping in equal measure as you allow these words to both warm your soul and challenge you. A book to dip into, to savour and to love.” Author Liz Carter