Filthy lucre greening by ian tucknott

Developed over eight years, Filthy Lucre Greening is a collection of memories and experiences recounted through words that span the entirety of poet Ian Tucknott's life.

Exploring the complexity of contemporary identity - particularly queer masculinity – and the search for what being a man means, this collection represents a psychological regeneration, working through what some may see as a “mid-life crisis” and reframing it as a life-stage each of us passes through – a transition we negotiate, an opportunity for re-birth.

Navigating themes of privilege, ‘toxic masculinity’, homosexuality, male relationships, men’s mental health and suicidality through the eye of a gay man, these poems dig into the prejudice, shaming, othering that that can often entail and asks – what next?

Whilst deeply personal, the thoughts, feelings and experiences that are described within these pages hold hope that those who read them might identify and resonate with them – that kind of deep, visceral hope that encourages others to say “me too,” and to encourage their own personal and creative explorations into themselves.

It marks a turning point, bringing what was until now private into the public sphere.

Filthy Lucre Greening is a document that bears witness to the birth of a poet.

Cover art by Emma Vukman