I wrote a small afterword for Michael Augustine’s latest book in English, Mickle Makes Muckle, translated from the German by Sujata Bhatt and published by Dedalus Press . You can download some of the poems (and my afterword) in pdf, listen to Michael reading from the book at the Dublin launch, and indeed buy the book here. My afterword refers to our long friendship, so I was particularly chuffed to hear from Pat Boran, editor of Dedalus, today, that Carol Rumens has written a fine piece about the book in the Guardian Arts Blog Poem of the Week.

I’ve missed several events of late including the launch of Days Like These, a limited edition of poems by Tony Curtis, Theo Dorgan and Paula Meehan. That event was in The Teacher’s Club on February 1st. I got the date wrong, as I seem to do quite a lot in the dark winter evenings. The edition of 300 copies (with an additional 26 copies in hardcover) was published by Brooding Heron Press, Waldron Island, USA. I can’t seem to find a website, but I found this description of the press.

Brooding Heron Press and Bindery

Sam and Sally Green began printing poetry chapbooks in their Seattle home in 1978, but moved to a small island off the coast of Washington in 1982. There they operate a small farm and have built their own house and studio, all without electricity or running water. The Brooding Heron Press was named after their emphasis on the nurturing and creative process instead of the final product.

The Greens print about 3 titles per year on a C&P platen press and focus on works of poetry. Their work has been recognized with several awards and reviews.

Hopefully Days LIke These is available in Books Upstairs, so I can make amends for missing what must have been a great evening.

Another Dedalus event I missed - again, the days back to front, o woe is me! - was the launch of John Jordan, Selected Poems, edited and with an Introduction by Hugh McFadden; and To Ring in Silence, New and Selected Poems from Paddy Bushe. At least I have the books, kindly sent on by Pat.

Paddy Bushe visited China some years ago, and to my great pleasure, brought my novel The Water Star with him. A small incident, somewhere in China, brought forth the following poem, including in Ring in Silence, which I hope Paddy won’t mind me reproducing here:

Petals
for Philip Casey

The waitress puts a vase of grassland flowers
On the table where I’m reading The Water Star.
Hesitant, practising English, she asks its name,
Then frowns at my phrasebook characters.
Shui Xing? … But, in water is no star.

As I mime reflection, pointing to huge distances,
Her eyes light with sudden understanding
And she laughs with delight at the image.
I turn again, smiling, to my book.
Two petals shimmer on the open page.

Zhongdian, 6 July 2000

© Paddy Bushe