Literature

The man opposite me relaxes into his call as the train leaves the station. I stare directly into his face, willing him to hang up. He acknowledges me by shifting his gaze to stare out the window, while his mockney accent booms around the…

The Christmas party for members of the Irish Writers centre in Dublin was a delight. I am a big fan of wine and nibbles, but also of evenings full of excellent writing, not to mention the opportunity to read my own work. There was nothing…

Skin is stronger where it has ruptured. I tore during labour but didn’t feel the stitches—my body produced anaesthetic, a response to pain.  Now, there is a small, silvery scar. Like braille, you said, your fingers tracing, eyes on mine.…

HeadStuff invites poetry submissions for our Poem of the Week section. We are looking for new, unpublished work by Irish and international poets. At HeadStuff we seek poems that engage, poems that nestle under the skin and linger long after…

Almost By Christine Kannapel A risk of lightening today so there won’t be any swimming. Pool cover stays pulled and I am seated on a floral print couch watching the kitchen’s florescent light shadows—my mom and aunt somewhere in there.…

Denny Murphy sat firmly into his spot on the bench-seating that lined the Luas carriage and curled his head towards the glass of the window. He didn’t care that the tram was packed and that there were probably older people and women…

When the Ark was Eaten By Adam Rooke When the ark was eaten, you were looking away at the empty of the full earth new- when there were fake snows of white flys to eat the cages. Skylights full of blue-death house flys, to rot it from…

Final Poem For An Estranged Friend By Andrea Potos My last dream had me chasing you along some narrow stone path rising and twisting on a Greek island mountainside while I screamed at you to finally believe I had not wronged you. Still, you…

One of the most influential writers of our age. (Irvine Welsh) Putting the words together, literary genius and former pimp does not seem like a practical simile. In fact, it is two ends of a very different spectrum. One of which…

Sweet About Me by Jacinta Sheerin is the second instalment in the four part series that makes up the Solo SIRENS Festival which is being held at the The Civic Theatre in Tallaght by the Solo SIRENS Collective. tHe Festival was created and…