Reminded of something

Emma — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In all of Robin Thomas’s work there is a subtlety and wit so contained that it invites re-reading. It takes full immersion to savour the linguistic dexterity and intelligence at work, to appreciate that humour often belies the absolute seriousness of life. In reminded of something, this balance is particularly delicate and the poignancy superbly controlled and utterly affecting. With a yearning that can only come of love and loss, the poems use the simplest of metaphors in the most lucid language to convey memories and emotions so complex and heart-breaking that they are almost beyond the scope of words-a collection that is profoundly moving and exquisitely realised.

Lifting the Latch

Emma — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Finely honed, thoughtful and affecting, Frank Dullaghan‘s accessible poetry is increasingly assured and poised. His language is clear and elegant, but the apparent simplicity contains a depth of experience that these these poems memorable. Digging deep into memory, but eschewing sentimentality, Frank Dullaghan’s poetry is insightful, poignant, but ultimately life-affirming.

Excerpt from: ‘The Day of the Robin’

Dundalk 1966
I grew to understand it often rained
inside my father’s head, that sometimes
he went under, drowned.
But that day he put out his hand
and the robin came to him, a small flutter
of surprise from the close bush.

Praise for previous collections:

“Frank Dullaghan’s quietly spoken poems move between tenderness and terror with a humane warmth ? The language follows and embraces a wide range of affairs, touching on loved, known and dangerous things – the texture of experience – lightly, unfussily, with a lovely ear for the plain cadence that is, for most of us, the sweet-sad music of being alive.” George Szirtes

Cinnamon Press – The Bell Bookshop

Reminded of something

Lifting the Latch