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"Beneath the Oak Tree" is a powerful contemporary poetry collection by Lisa Millard, published in 2025 by AccessAbility Arts, a UK-based non-profit organization that promotes accessibility to the arts for people of all abilities and backgrounds. The collection comprises 39 deeply personal and socially conscious poems that tackle urgent themes of feminism, social justice, animal rights, and human resilience.
### Central Themes
The title poem establishes the book's core metaphor of finding sanctuary and self-identity beneath an oak tree, where the narrator sheds societal expectations and roles to discover her authentic self. Lisa explores the transformative power of **female identity**, writing "Beneath the oak tree she is me / She is we" and affirming that being female "is the best thing she can be."
The collection addresses systemic violence against women through poems like "The Good Wife," which references the real case of Kiranjit Ahluwalia who was convicted of murdering her abusive husband in 1989. Lisa's verse captures the desperation of domestic abuse survivors and challenges victim-blaming narratives in poems such as "Not Guilty," which critiques how the justice system treats sexual assault survivors.
### Social Commentary
Lisa demonstrates sharp political awareness in pieces like "Questions troubling me well a few," which addresses contemporary scandals involving public figures while questioning social priorities. The poem "No Kings" presents a fierce anti-monarchist stance, calling for the abolition of the royal system and critiquing economic inequality.
Animal welfare features prominently throughout the collection, with "Little Paper Slips" offering a devastating critique of horse racing that memorializes specific horses who died at Cheltenham races. "Name dropping" condemns the luxury fashion industry's use of animal products, while "Rat Poison" highlights society's contradictory attitudes toward different animal species.
### Literary Style and Structure
The poetry employs contemporary free verse with visceral imagery and unflinching honesty about difficult subjects. Lisa's voice is both intimate and political, seamlessly weaving personal experiences with broader social commentary. The final poem, "To all the women!," serves as a dedication "In memory of Sarah Everard Sabina Nessa" and extends solidarity to all women who have experienced violence or marginalization.
Published by AccessAbility Arts, which champions disabled artists and accessible creative expression, the collection reflects the publisher's mission to amplify underrepresented voices through innovative and inclusive publishing. This debut collection establishes Lisa as a bold new voice in contemporary feminist poetry, unafraid to confront society's most pressing issues while celebrating the strength and resilience of marginalized communities.
