āThis is a case in which I need more than words to find the meaning. This is a case in which I need whatever it is I think or believe to be penetrable, if only for myself.ā
ā(Joan Didion,Ā The Year of Magical Thinking, 2005)
A 'Visitation' from Mum KAT HEALY She arrives at the oddest of times like when I chop neeps for tea with sweet potatoes she hovers at the window a reflection on the cooker the pinch of her grin all teeth and cheekbones scares the hell out of me at first I wrestle veg into a tin cook for an hour she taught me that I think? Iād love to ask her but she wonāt stay long in the kitchen I clatter plates together I think itās the fan scares her away it rumbles with steam she shivers a wisp of fragrance could be the roasties either way, it evaporates the steam then Mum. ā (from 'Ripening', 2023)
Visitations
Iād wake to guttural soundsārestless echoes (coming from me). Iād scratch at static noiseāāFade to black, please, fade to blackā.
I was certain, āShe was here, I saw her, we were in the kitchenāshe was just hereā, convincing no one because no one was there.
Just me in a liminal space.
Now, I handle them better, the visitations.
She doesnāt age. Sheās reflected lightāa shadow to trace in my mind's eye.
Dream Angus
āDream Angusā, a traditional Scottish folk song performed by / Thilo Pfander Ā©2023
The full song will be available on Substack tomorrow, 19th September 2023.
Ripening š
This month, Iām releasing a series of short extracts and reflections from my first poetry pamphlet, āRipeningā, due in 2024. The pamphlet will be accompanied by original artwork and songs.
As an indie artist, Iām self-publishing my pamphlet. If you havenāt already, please consider subscribing to support my work.
Thank you! Kat x