PHARMAKON is a new collection of poems from the critically acclaimed author, Derek Beaven, whose novels include IF THE INVADER COMES, ACTS OF MUTINY & NEWTON'S NIECE. 'This collection contains forty-three poems in various formats. Some are substantial or consist of narrative sequences. Others are brief and poignant. There are also many touches of humour. The title PHARMAKON suggests the need for a cure-it's the original Greek word for a remedy (as in pharmacy, pharmaceutical, of course), and the title poem plays with the idea that poetry is often supposed to be "good for us." The poems all...