Somewhat Vortex, the debut poetry collection by Orla Martin, is a response to the ebb and flow of life. Landmarked by loss, by love, by hope, the work is underscored by a warm and witty thread. A singular and somewhat staccato style brings into focus a unique take on the banal, the absurd and occasionally a robin. Angled over life, the poet seeks to understand and connect the zig zag of people, the jagged and plume with lambent portraits of family, epilogues to love and a view from the poetry spectrum. Some poems are the flotsam and jetsam of error, others are rare bright star bursts of content. There is a guest appearance by Wilson, the emotional support blackbird. There are Tuesday clothes. There could have been many more references to Radiohead. There are poems that may create something beautiful, perhaps.