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14th Anniversary Edition, Live Encounters Poetry & Writing Volume Two Nov-Dec 2023.
Paper, poem by Eileen Casey.
Paper
Bark. Stripped from tree, clear water
softened. Immersion. Impure flaws
removed, hibiscus weave, paste, fibre.
Pounded, kneaded, holds to nature’s laws.
Placed on a board, drying 45 degree angle
then lifted from watery bed, facing south.
Stable sunshine, eloquent blend, no tangle,
light, eye, hand. Too much light, no doubt
too thin. Too little, thick. Measured matter.
No wonder oceans curl in churls of birds
lifting off from shoreline. Or river scatter
along the banks. Images rippled in reverse.
Behind a screen, woman’s pearl silhouette
leaf and bone, thrush note, watermark mesh.
© Eileen Casey
Eileen Casey is originally from County Offaly, now based in South Dublin. Poetry, prose and short fiction are published widely in anthologies by Dedalus, New Island, Arlen House, Correspondences, Future Perfect (Poetry Ireland), among others. Her work received awards and bursaries from South County Dublin, County Offaly Arts and The Arts Council, An Comhairle Ealaíonn. ‘Bog Treasure’ (Arlen House poetry, 2022) is her sixth collection, a collaboration with Canadian academic, visual artist and writer, Jeanne Cannizzo. ‘River Songs’ is upcoming, awarded by Creative Ireland. She is a Sunday Tribune/Hennessy winner (Emerging Fiction), together with a Katherine and Patrick Kavanagh Fellowship (Poetry).