CADENCE, THE début poetry collection from County Galway born poet Breda Joyce, will be launched by Rita Ann Higgins in the Galway City Library on Thursday December 8 at 6pm.
The title, Cadence, refers to the rhythm of words as they move towards meaning and harmony at the end of a phrase. The book is divided into six sections: The first group of poems are about flight and movement; the second section about lives moving in and out of the shadows; finding safety and refuge (third section )'. 'Autumnal Arias' (section four ) looks at the way leaves transform the light and the seasons of our lives; the final sections are called 'Evensong and Memory Boxes'.
The poems 'Picking Blackcurrants', 'Hiatus', 'Dirty Linen', 'Moments', and 'Autumn Opera' have previously appeared in The Galway Review. 'Mute' was shortlisted for The 2016 Kilkenny Broadsheet while 'The Void' was highly commended in Poetry Ireland’s Poetry Project Award 2013. Her memoir about her great-grandfather, 'John Henry Joyce and the Nine Irons', was longlisted by Fish Publishing in 2013.
Grace Wells said of the collection: "These are poems that rise to meet the challenges of life. Her exquisitely crafted lines sing with emotional courage and linguistic poise. Her poetry is earthed by a generous spirit of empathy which 'softens the face' of life's harshest realities and tenderly holds the things which really matter."
Breda grew up in Headford, and now lives in County Tipperary, with her husband Mark, and daughters Caoimhe and Muireann. The book is self-published and Breda's family was involved in the art work, layout, and calligraphy.
Proceeds from the sales of Cadence will go to support the work of Médecins Sans Frontieres in Syria and Iraq. All are welcome to the launch.
