Noticing North West, by Matthew James Friday

Poetry, chapbook, 36 pages, from Bottlecap Features.

Noticing is different to looking, just as listening is different to hearing. Looking is essential but often automatic; noticing requires attention, but, if we are able to give this, we are rewarded with moments of discovery and wonder. Given the drastic decline in biodiversity across the world, coupled with society’s turning away from Nature and towards screens, right now is the most urgent time to notice. ‘To notice’ is, for poet Matthew James Friday, a small but vital act of praising and showing gratitude, of making a connection with the world that nourishes and deserves nourishing in return.

Matthew James Friday’s uses haiku and its related form senryu because they are perfect poetic forms to express noticing with their emphasis on brevity and imagery; the observance of all that is transient by focusing on a given moment. If haiku is about Nature, senryu is about human nature. Matthew uses both forms to observe the world of the Pacific North West in all its rich, compelling and sometimes conflicting glory. At the same time, Matthew aims for the general reader, so anyone who enjoys finding beauty and truth in small moments and details should love this collection.

Matthew James Friday is a British born writer and teacher. He has had many poems published in US and international journals. His first chapbook The Residents was published by Finishing Line Press (2024). His second chapbook The Be-All and the End-All was published by Bottlecap Press (2024). Bottlecap Press also published his third chapbook Strange Beauty (2025). His first full length collection Wunderkammer was published by Kelsay Books (2026). Visit his website at http://matthewfriday.weebly.com.