Guerrilla Country
In this extraordinary collection Phil brings his wide experience of conflict resolution to a multitude of poetic voices. He examines the historical origins of our fractured world order in western science, religion and philosophy. He gives words to characters from many backgrounds; some of which may be recognised as a specific context of conflict or resolution, but others can, sadly, be from many places and times in the last century.
These are thoughtful, powerful poems about what humans are capable of; good and bad.
‘carefully wrought poems of witness’ Jess Mookherjee
Phil Vernon
Phil Vernon lives in Kent, in the UK. He retired in 2024 after four decades in international humanitarian and peacebuilding work. His version of the mediaeval hymn Stabat Mater with music by Nicola Burnett Smith has been performed internationally. His third full poetry collection is Guerrilla Country (Flight of the Dragonfly Press, 2024), exploring peace and conflict within our social, political and physical environment. He was one of three poets featured in Tree Poets: Rivers of Stone (Hedgehog Poetry Press, 2025), and his micro-pamphlet Foreshadowing, written in the voice of Martin Luther, was also published in 2025 by Hedgehog Poetry Press. He was a 2022 Hawthornden Fellow. www.philvernon.net
Author portrait © Phil Vernon