The last word in the series goes to poets Matthew Geden and Christina Hession. Matthew is based in Kinsale, the author of three collections, the most recent entitled Fruit from Sur Vision Books (2020). He teaches poetry to undergraduate writers and on the MA in Creative Writing at UCC. Christina Hession graduated earlier this year with an MA.
Second Chance
The last day drags down the narrow lane,
crosses a stream of cheap champagne,
stumbles out to the headland navigating
the gorse. Wild yellow furze, clusters
of suns at the centre of small-scale solar
systems unaware of the self-isolation
in another world. Nothing is lost
but what we lose for ourselves,
memories buried beneath the paper-
work. There’s an end to it, he says,
washing his hands. But the truth
is you have taken a winding path
ascending into the mist which advances
in on breakers, subdued splash on the rocks
far below. The wanderer in you is forever
hopeful, hastens now to climb above
it all into the final seconds of a second
sunset, relive the warmth, resurgent
birdsong amongst the ghosts of tractors,
last loitering light and a fingernail moon.
Matthew Geden
Mañana
Suspend the squalls of the heart,
Stow them with circled calendar dates,
must do lists,
and under stairs detritus
till mañana.
Sit seiza-style
in a faux fur saucer chair.
Pick up a spine-cracked
paperback, and inhale
the perfume of passion
– the aroma of vanilla
and almond.
Savour a marshmallowy
hot chocolate,
perched perilously
on your patella.
Watch flames frolic
in the fireplace,
taking solace from the seething sky,
and whining wind.
Tomorrow,
is a clean, though imperfect slate.
Christina Hession
Today is our last posting of “Creative Corona”, a month-long platform of writing from students, graduates and writers associated with the MA in Creative Writing at UCC. A special word of appreciation goes to all the writers who made this project possible. Their work was donated free of charge and represents a great generosity of spirit in the service of creative commons at a time when conditions for writers are so imperilled. Many thanks to all.
Mary Morrissy, Associate Director of Creative Writing