Winner of the 2024 International Book and Pamphlet Competition for Boy, Mother and can be a deadpan but very thoughtful and observant poet based in Dublin. Here is an extract from one of her recent poems and a link to the rest.
Finding Yourself Without Going to an Ashram
Think about canary yellow things - an egg yolk golden sparrows a yellow raincoat that sort of thing. If it's raining go for a walk without an umbrella If it's sunny don't wear sunglasses or a baseball cap wear a heavy woollen cloak. Turn right then second left. When you reach a roundabout take the third exit. Bring a banana. A city will present itself. You may or may not recognise it.
How I got through it I really don't know, but I did a vow of silence for learning disabilities for a year a couple of years ago. I had wanted to do it for three or four years beforehand, after finding out about an Australian who did it for the animals. But the timing was never right. It was difficult but during the silence I learnt about John Francis, the environmentalist and author, who did it for seventeen years whilst walking barefoot across America playing the banjo. I had to make sure I drank enough fluids and had plenty of exercise so that my respiratory system didn't collapse, and learnt new things and read difficult books to keep my mind alert. It is very tough again during lockdown too, but immensely difficult for those with learning disabilities. I began writing my poetry last spring in the first Covid pandemic lockdown, and it poured out of me. But as you can tell from my readings my voice is still weak.
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Sapphire Sea 