Where it began…
Mid-2025, poet and friend of Ellipsis Poetry, Shaine Melrose, offered some secondhand poetry books to Pam Makin. Having a vast collection of her own, Pam declined on her own behalf but accepted on behalf of the Ellipsis Poetry community.
The books – forty poetry and poetry adjacent books – fit snuggly into a small suitcase and became the Ellipsis Poetry Book Case. It made its first appearance at the Open Mic in August 2025.
What it does…
There is a vast array of poetry in print from that of dead Englishmen to that of a diverse range of living writers. Some is enjoyed again and again throughout a lifetime. Some is enjoyed but once. And of course, one reader’s derided rubbish is another’s treasured masterpiece. With this in mind, the Book Case offers:
An opportunity to read widely at no cost,
Access to a broader range of poetry books than you might find on public library shelves, and
A simple way to share, recycle, and rehome your old poetry books.
And all the rest…
The Case is open for browsing at Ellipsis Open Mic events only.
Community members are encouraged to bring a book they would like to donate to the Book Case and take away a book they would like to read. Books should be volumes of poetry, including chapbooks, or books about poetry and poets, e.g. biographies of poets, books of poetry criticism, tutorials and manuals on writing poetry.
It is envisioned that some books will find a new permanent home and some will be returned and swapped month after month. The Book Case catalogue will remain stable at 40 books.
Not our case, but a lovely case nonetheless. Photo of ours coming soon!
For the love of poetry…
