The Wild Edge - with Clare Mulvany
The Wild Edge - with Clare Mulvany
#9 Press Pause: Poetry
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#9 Press Pause: Poetry

Antidotes to the Fear of Death by Rebecca Elson

Hello all

What a week of change and turbulence. I am taking lots of deep breaths. So often in times of challenge, it is to poetry I reach, and this week was no different. For this weeks creative retreat, I am reading a poem, Antidotes to the Fear of Death from the late astronomer and poet, Rebecca Elson (1960-1999) from her collection, ‘A Responsibility to Awe’ (Carcanet Classics). It’s a bit of a marvel, and I think contains some particular clues as to how to best navigate times like these, which I speak about, and then invite us into thinking of these themes on a second reading.

The illustration I have done to accompany the post is of the White Prominent Moth, a very rare moth which for over 70 years was thought to be extinct in Ireland and was then ‘rediscovered’ in a valley in the South West of the country in 2018. Since then a small number have since been recorded.

The moth speaks to me both of resilience and fragility, its bright wings echoing Elson’s call for a responsibility to awe. I think we have a responsibility to protection too.

I hope you enjoy listening. Comments below welcome.

Antidotes to Fear of Death

Sometimes as an antidote
To fear of death,
I eat the stars.

Those nights, lying on my back,
I suck them from the quenching dark
Til they are all, all inside me,
Pepper hot and sharp.

Sometimes, instead, I stir myself
Into a universe still young,
Still warm as blood:

No outer space, just space,
The light of all the not yet stars
Drifting like a bright mist,
And all of us, and everything
Already there
But unconstrained by form.

And sometime it’s enough
To lie down here on earth
Beside our long ancestral bones:

To walk across the cobble fields
Of our discarded skulls,
Each like a treasure, like a chrysalis,
Thinking: whatever left these husks
Flew off on bright wings.

Coming up on The Wild Edge.

If you would like some more poetry and reflection, two opportunities are soon coming up.

On 31st January I am hosting an Imbolc Salon, to mark the new Celtic Season of Spring’s beginnings. There will be poetry, journalling and seasonal ritual. Gold Wild Edge Members have tickets included, or you can get one here. 7-8.30pm Irish/ UK time.

The next Poetry Salon on The Wild Edge is Sunday 9th February, 6-7pm Irish/ UK time. For Wild Edge Members. This is an hour of reading poetry together, reflecting on the insights, themes and learning contained, and savouring beauty. I have been hosting these for over 15 years now, and each salon brings a new form of delight.

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