The Matter

Paul Batchelor

as if heaven cared

– John Wieners

After sleepy time, pain. After sin, self-knowledge.

The world is all we waken to. Let mother

lick a hanky, kneel to rub the matter

from our clogged eyes: there. After an age

of small mercies, the predictable travesty.

After a lifetime of supportable losses,

a woman bibbed in gin & vomit rises

to disavow a prodigal & would-be

righteous anger. Let dormative potions take

effect. Let one he knows, but not to speak to,

smile recognisably. Non è fuggito.

Now be a love for heaven’s sake

and let it go. Who wants to make a scene?

Her least of all, who would & will affect

to misconceive me at my most direct;

knew I meant well, never knows what I mean.

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.