Appleby’s words will feel like home

Djordje Miladinović of Thoughts Words Action reviews ‘In Pursuit of Expression’ by Martin Appleby…

Poetry, at its best, is honest. It strips away pretence, digs into the mundane, and finds something universal in the smallest details of human existence. Martin Appleby’s In Pursuit of Expression exemplifies this approach. A collection of poems spanning nearly a decade, this book reads like a diary, a confession, and a conversation all at once. It is intimate yet comprehensive, unflinchingly personal yet relatable.

For those who have ever questioned their place in the world, drowned their sorrows in a cheap drink, or found unexpected beauty in a grey afternoon, Appleby’s words will feel like home. Appleby’s collection brings together all of his small press poetry releases from 2016 to 2024, covering the full arc of his twenties into the threshold of middle age. This collection is a document of a life in progress. With each page, the reader moves through heartbreaks, hangovers, and moments of clarity. We see a poet evolve, not just in style but in understanding, as youthful restlessness gives way to something more introspective.

His poems are short, sharp, and stripped of adornment. They do not waste words. They do not overreach. Instead, they tell stories in quick bursts, fragments of nights spent wandering, mornings filled with regret, and afternoons of quiet contemplation. There is wit here, but also sadness. There is rage, but also acceptance. Most importantly, there is an uncompromising dedication to truth, even when that truth is messy and unflattering. Appleby does not write about grand events or historical moments. His poetry lives in the cracks of ordinary life. He writes about bad jobs, breakups, disappointing nights out, and the slow realization that time is slipping away faster than expected. His themes are universal, yet his perspective is distinctly his own. There is a punk spirit in his words, a refusal to sugar-coat, a desire to speak plainly, and a sense of comedy that softens even the hardest realities.

What makes Appleby’s work so compelling is his voice. It is unmistakably his. There is no pretension here, no attempt to impress with an unnecessary flourish. His words are direct, conversational, and often darkly funny. He understands that poetry does not have to be complicated to be profound. His satire is particularly impressive. He finds comedy in despair, irony in routine, and absurdity in the everyday. This balance of satire and heartache is what makes his poetry so engaging. You might laugh at one poem and feel a lump in your throat at the next. You might recognize yourself in his words, even if his experiences are not your own. Because the collection spans years, we see the poet change. The reckless energy of youth gives way to something more measured. There are moments of nostalgia, but also moments of resignation. The poet is growing older, and he knows it. The past cannot be relived, and the future is uncertain. All that remains is the present, the moment of writing, the attempt to make sense of it all.

Appleby does not claim to have answers. He does not pretend to be wiser than his reader. He simply offers his experiences, his observations, and his feelings, leaving space for the audience to draw their own conclusions. This openness is part of what makes the book so compelling. It does not dictate what you should think or feel, it simply presents life as it is, in all its chaos and quiet beauty. Beyond the poetry itself, In Pursuit of Expression is also a celebration of the small press world. Appleby has spent years championing underground literature, founding Paper and Ink literary zine and later Scumbag Press. He has carved out a space for voices that might otherwise go unheard, and in doing so, he has built a community. This collection is a testament to that world—a reminder that great literature does not have to come from major publishing houses, that poetry can thrive outside the mainstream. Reading this book is like sitting down with an old friend. It is warm, familiar, and comforting, even when the subject matter is bleak. Appleby has a rare gift, he makes you feel like you are not alone. His words remind us that everyone struggles, everyone questions, everyone has moments of doubt and clarity.

For those who have followed his work over the years, this collection is a culmination of everything that makes him great. For those who are discovering him for the first time, it is a perfect introduction, a doorway into a world where poetry is raw, real, and utterly human. In Pursuit of Expression is a book that does not try to be anything other than what it is, an honest, funny, and deeply moving account of life as it happens. Martin Appleby has given us a collection that will resonate long after the final page. It is a book to be read and reread, to be passed around, to be dog-eared and underlined. It is a book that proves poetry is not just for the elite or the academic, it is for everyone. And in the hands of a writer like Appleby, it is more alive than ever.

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