“The Light Will Always Return” is Frank McMahon’s third book of poems, to be launched on April 17th.
“Things which stopped me in my tracks” inspired some of these poems, alongside examples which celebrate the work of other artists and craftspeople.
Further poems draw inspiration from the natural world, starting with winter light.
There are shadows in the book: loss, environmental concerns, conflict, but the abiding theme is hope and optimism.
These essential qualities of living are present around us but also need to be generated by our resilience and willingness to work towards protection and restoration.
“The Light Will Always Return” published by Tim Saunders Publications will be available in paperback, hardback and as an e-book from Waterstones, Amazon and other bookshops.
Frank McMahon lives in Cirencester. His previous books, “At the Storm’s Edge” and “A Different Land “ were published by Palewell Press. He has won prizes for his work and read at The Cheltenham Literary and Poetry Festivals in 2023.
His poem “Emperor Akhbar Seeks Ultimate Truth” is available to read on cirenscene.com and more by Frank and members of Somewhere Else Writers is on somewhere-else-writers.org.
EMPEROR AKHBAR SEEKS ULTIMATE TRUTH
In the red sandstone tower he takes his seat,
greets again the priests of different faiths. For months
he’s taken time away from the chores of ruling,
time to explore which faith has the lock on truth.
He’s heard their claims, unwavering assertions.
This morning he’s come with a novel question.
“Where does a river start?”
Where it bubbles from a spring.
No, from the aquifer below.
No, from the rains which fell.
No, from the clouds which brought the rain.
No, from the winds which brought the clouds.
No, from the vapour lifting from the sea.
No, from the river which feeds the sea.
He rises. “Send me a message when you have all agreed.”
He descends and walks towards his palace, knowing
it was wrong to build it here,
this site of desert winds and failing streams.
To keep up to date with what´s going on in town, feel free to join our Facebook group by clicking here. To advertise with the magazine check out the Rates & Media Pack – Ciren Scene!
0 comments on “Somewhere Else Writers (SEW) April 24: Frank McMahon”