The Devil’s Lunchbox

John’s first published set of poems appeared in chapbook form thanks to Mongrel Press (a division of Crocus Books) in 1996. Some of the poems would later be published in his first full book The Prize, but many only appear here including John’s own favourite of his poems - a tiny thing called ‘Universal Love’.

The Devil’s Lunchbox draws the reader into a world of identity, art, train journeys and early signs of beingness. Though John would quickly move on from some of the more cubist and abstract forms to a much more direct poetry, there is his trademark authenticity and explorations of our humanity and love already reflected in the fragmentary and imagistic forms.