Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this series we look at each elements and themes through the eyes and minds of our most gifted poets to bring you a unique poetic guide. Who does not remember the immortal lines from childhood—'Break Break Break On Thy Cold Grey Stones'. The seas and oceans have a mystical power over us; from a playful day at the beach to the hysterical waves of the storm, this always changing element evokes both beauty and fear. Its great mass, its shimmering beauty, its raging howl and all in colours from blue to grey to green and crystal clear. In these collections of verse our poets—including Alfred Lord Tennyson, Algernon Charles Swinburne, John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, Victor Hugo, Herman Melville and many others explore the relationship between ourselves and the great mystical waters.

Many of the poems are also available as an audiobook from our sister company Portable Poetry. The full volume can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores. Among the readers are Richard Mitchley and Ghizela Rowe.