Photograph of Snowdrop, a white cat who belonged to Prince Leopold (1853-84)
The submission period for issue 17, February 2026 is now open. The window will close on Friday, 9th January at midnight.
The theme for this issue is ‘Spring’. As we approach the darkest days of the year the glimmer of new life and the turning of the light offer us hope and courage. Have you words to offer on resilience, rebirth, renewal, or growth? Do you like beginnings? What pleases you about spring? What are your memories of February and March? Do you console yourself in nature? If you do, send up to 3 poems of 40 lines or less. Submissions of art and photography are also sought.
Send all submissions to orla.a.fay@gmail.com
Please do send work in Times New Roman, font 12. Include your work in the body of the email and as a Word document attachment.
Send a short bio of 50 words or less, written in the third person.
Those submitting work should be over 18.
Begin
Begin again to the summoning birds
to the sight of the light at the window,
begin to the roar of morning traffic
all along Pembroke Road.
Every beginning is a promise
born in light and dying in dark
determination and exaltation of springtime
flowering the way to work.
Begin to the pageant of queuing girls
the arrogant loneliness of swans in the canal
bridges linking the past and future
old friends passing though with us still.
Begin to the loneliness that cannot end
since it perhaps is what makes us begin,
begin to wonder at unknown faces
at crying birds in the sudden rain
at branches stark in the willing sunlight
at seagulls foraging for bread
at couples sharing a sunny secret
alone together while making good.
Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.
Brendan Kennelly
Drawn to the Light Press 