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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Word Skin Poetry Book Launch


I'm delighted to launch my debut full length poetry collection, Word Skin, from Salmon Poetry. The event will take place on Sunday, 03rd December at 2 pm in Antonia's Bookstore, Trim, Co. Meath. The collection will be introduced by Boyne Writer, Michael Farry. I will read some poems from the book and sign copies. 


Word Skin can be ordered online from Salmon Poetry and they ship worldwide.

https://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=600&a=373




Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Issue 10 Drawn to the Light Press

Issue 10 has gone to print and will be available to view online next Sunday, 29th October. Really excited to share this issue with everyone. It contains the ten poems shortlisted for Hold Fast to Dreams Poetry Competition, and more. The print issue can be ordered online for a limited time here

https://drawntothelightpress.com/issues/




Friday, August 11, 2023

Hold Fast to Dreams Poetry Competition


To celebrate the 3rd year anniversary of Drawn to the Light Press this October, Hold Fast to Dreams Poetry Competition is announced. Langston Hughes wrote

Hold fast to dreams 
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

What dreams do you have? What do you aspire to? What colour are your dreams? Do you vividly recall a dream? Do you daydream? What is it you secretly wish you could have done? What do you intend to do? Will you act? What is your passion?

The competition will be judged by editor Orla Fay. A top ten poems will be included in issue 10 and the winning poet will receive a cash prize. The competition closes on Friday, September 1st at midnight.

There is an entry fee of €5 per poem and poets may submit as many poems as they wish.

Poems should be 40 lines or less and written on the theme of ‘Dreams’. Please attach the poem separately.

Poems will be judged anonymously and should not include the poet’s name on the poem itself. A cover letter should include the poet’s name, email address and title of entry.

Enter here


Monday, July 24, 2023

Summer Poem by Mary Oliver


Water Lilies on The Royal Canal Greenway Co. Meath


Summer Poem

Leaving the house,
I went out to see

the frog, for example,
in her shining green skin;

and her eggs
like a slippery veil;

and her eyes
with their golden rims;

and the pond
with its risen lilies;

and its warmed shores
dotted with pink flowers;

and the long, windless afternoon;
and the white heron

like a dropped cloud,
taking one slow step

then standing awhile then taking
another, writing

her own soft-footed poem
through the still waters.

Mary Oliver

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Issue 9 Drawn to the Light Press

Issue 9 is now online and it can be read here 

If you wish to order a print version, you can do so via PayPal on the website 

https://drawntothelightpress.com/issues/

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Drawn to the Light Press Issue 9 Seeking Submissions

Aurora  Deirdre McKernan

Submissions for issue 9 of Drawn to the Light Press, June 2023 are now invited. The window will close on Friday, 12th May at midnight.


Send up to 3 poems of 40 lines or less, using Times New Roman Font 12, single spacing. Poems should be previously unpublished. There is no set theme for the issue.


Submissions of artwork and photography are welcome.


Those submitting must be over 18 years of age.


Send all work to orla.a.fay@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

A Spring Night (in March)

 

Sandro Botticelli, La Primavera, c.1482

A Spring Night (in March)


What it is to be alive,

to know this twinkling ice of stars,

to know the burn of untouched scars,

 

to riot with the daffodil

when the light is terrible,

and terrible before the dark

 

the perfect time of shudder-earth,

the birth of all there is to care

in the vixen’s stolen glare,

 

the rolling on of hours

when her warmth offers

flowering fruit,

 

and winter is, at last, consumed?

 

Orla Fay