I am Nourishing the Polar Star Again

Anthony Caleshu

I am nourishing the polar star again and because

I am nourishing the polar star, it is bigger

and brighter than even this streetlight

under which we are standing. The light cast

is paler than our shadows. Though this could be

an allegory, it would be a poor allegory,

unless you consider allegories for their distinction.

In order to distinguish our shadows from the street

– so grey, so tired – a passing policeman

chalks our outline … which, if I may be so anti-

authority, bears me so little resemblance –

the size of my head, the size of my heart –

‘Heart?’ my lover interrupts.

‘Heart,’ I say.

We go our separate ways, forgetting that

it was under a polar star that we once performed

magnificent tricks of light upon each other.

Poetry Ireland Review Issue 120:

Edited by Vona Groarke

Vona Groarke's final issue as editor is packed with new poems from leading contemporary poets, including Simon Armitage, Sinéad Morrissey, Colette Bryce, Paul Muldoon, Sean O'Brien and Caitríona O'Reilly. Books reviewed include new work from Derek Mahon, Bernard O'Donoghue, Rita Ann Higgins, Martina Evans, Denise Riley and the 2016 Forward Prize winner Vahni Capildeo. The centrepiece of the issue is an interview with Paul Muldoon in which the Armagh maestro shares his thoughts on subjects as diverse as public surveillance, the economic down-turn, and the exclamation mark. The cover image is by photographer Justyna Kielbowicz, and the issue also contains award-winning artwork from Sven Sandberg, Aoife Dunne, Jane Rainey, and Michelle Hall. Instead of an editorial, Vona herself answers the questionnaire she put to the contributors of Poetry Ireland Review Issue 118: The Rising Generation.