Mezzanine

Mezzanine is an exploration of queer domesticity and the ephemerality of relationships. Of those private, everyday, mundane yet beautiful moments one can take for granted. It's easy to forget how much a look, a touch or a shared pot of coffee create the foundations of a utopia. One which we join the collective yearning for love, for destination and for community. The private isn't exclusive, it's a balcony without a curtain or an exposed space where you can see the stair-rail, one which we all pass through. Some of us kiss, shake hands or simply nod in salutation as we continue onwards to other places. Joe Shaw (b. 1996) is a queer poet from Yorkshire, now based in London. His writing is mainly inspired by relationships, art and travel. Mezzanine started as a university dissertation project and has grown over the years as a result of his own experiences. This is his first published poetry collection.