Poem: ‘Fothering the Sheep’

Fothering the sheep Only minus seven this morning but the gate latches are frozen solid. ‘We’ll need a kettleful to unfreeze them.’ There’s more snow forecast and a gale warning. ‘We need to get hay up to the sheep before it blows in.’ The cart’s struggling. The sheep are gathered, waiting. ‘They’re patient, I’ll give … Read more

Poem: ‘What comes to mind in Ireland’

What comes to mind in Ireland What is black? An absence of light, the cassocks of parish priests, dark peat in an Irish bog. What is brown? A leather belt, decaying plants, veins of iron in stones, the layered bark of a log. What is grey? Lowering clouds, skies threatening rain over windswept water, the … Read more

Poem: ‘No animals died’

No animals died Our research on toads and carabids considered predator and prey. Japanese toads and bombardier beetles were ‘introduced’, let’s say. The relationships were explosive – but complied with current laws. We intend to show you footage. Please, hold your applause. Our methodology? Each beetle placed in tongue’s reach of a toad. Each swallowed. … Read more