Leon the poet’s debut collection, Sometimes I’m The Bull, Sometimes I’m The China Shop, is a deep dive into the chaos and tenderness of modern life. It confronts, comforts, and challenges you all at once. The title alone hints at the duality woven throughout, strength and vulnerability, destruction and fragility, confidence and doubt. Leon’s writing is entirely honest. Each poem carries a raw, unpolished truth that makes it feel less like reading and more like listening to a close friend pour their heart out. He writes with such clarity and conviction that even the most complex emotions feel accessible. His style is simple yet profound, never hiding behind unnecessary words or pretentious metaphors. Instead, he opts for sincerity, letting the weight of his experiences shape the lines.
The subjects Leon tackles are diverse and vital. He fearlessly addresses fatherhood, mental health, heartbreak, and masculinity. His reflections on pop culture and politics are sharp, often witty, and always thought-provoking. One moment, he’s critiquing the far right or Russell Brand, and the next, he’s ruminating on the quiet joys of a sandwich. This balance between heavy and light themes gives the collection its heartbeat, an ever-changing rhythm that keeps you engaged. In one poem, he might embody the Bull, charging forward with unrelenting force, full of rage and passion. In the next, he becomes the China Shop, delicate and exposed, showing us the cracks in his armour. This shifting perspective is more than a clever literary device, it’s a representation of how human beings navigate life. We’re never just one thing. We are strength and vulnerability, anger and love, resilience and fragility. Leon captures this duality beautifully.
His work is deeply personal. Raised in a high-control religious group, Leon frequently reflects on god, belief, and the lasting effects of such an upbringing. These poems are especially moving, as they peel back layers of identity and faith, revealing a man grappling with what he was taught versus what he has come to believe. The tension between those two worlds hums quietly in the background of many pieces, giving them a haunting, introspective edge. Leon doesn’t write to impress, he writes to connect. His language is straightforward but never simplistic. He knows how to craft a line that lands like a punch in the face, yet he also knows when to pull back and let the moment breathe. This balance makes the book exciting from start to finish. The poems about mental health are so powerful. Leon doesn’t shy away from the darkness, he acknowledges it, sits with it, and gives it a voice. But he also offers hope. There’s an underlying sense that, no matter how heavy the world feels, there’s still something worth holding on to. That message, delivered with such authenticity, is inspiring.
Leon’s exploration of masculinity is equally persuasive. He dissects the concept of machismo with wit and empathy, showing how it can be a prison as much as a shield. He questions what it means to be a real man and challenges the toxic expectations that society often places on men. These poems feel particularly important in today’s cultural climate, offering a nuanced take on a subject that’s too often painted in black and white. And then there are the quieter moments, the ones about love and the small, ordinary parts of life that often go unnoticed. These poems are just as impactful as the louder, angrier ones. They remind us that poetry doesn’t have to be grand or sweeping to leave a mark. Sometimes, the simplest observation, a memory, a feeling, sandwich, can resonate the most. Sometimes I’m The Bull, Sometimes I’m The China Shop exemplifies human experience, in all its messy, complicated glory. Leon the poet has crafted a book that doesn’t just speak to the times, but also speaks to the soul. It’s heartfelt, insightful, and highly readable, a rare combination that’s hard to come by. He writes with courage, compassion, and unflinching honesty. If this is his debut, one can only imagine what he’ll do next. But for now, this collection stands tall, a bold and brilliant introduction to a poet who’s here to stay.
Head to Earth Island Books or your local store for more information about ordering.
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