Herbarium
By Polina Cosgrave
Accept my apologies, you shy chamomile of May. I'm going to pluck you and bestow your delicacy upon my crying daughter. You will be her joy this evening brought home in a little fist. Reluctant to let go of the newfound treasure, my little girl will take you to bed, hold your stalk tight even when looking for my breast in the warm semi-darkness of her room. After she falls asleep heavy with milk, her fist will unclench, revealing your crumpled crown. Will I ever see anything as complete and grounding as your fading life on her pillow? Accept my apologies, you flawless man of May. I'm going to pluck you and bestow your splendour upon my crying self. You will be my joy this evening brought home… Well, you get the idea.
Polina Cosgrave
Polina Cosgrave is a bilingual poet and Arts Council award recipient based in Ireland. Her debut collection ‘My Name Is’ was published by Dedalus Press in 2020. Polina features in the Forward Prizes Book of Poetry 2022. Her work has appeared on TV, radio and in numerous journals and anthologies (The Book of Life, Romance Options, Local Wonders and Writing Home anthologies by Dedalus Press, The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Drawn to the Light Press, Free the Verse, Abridged, EastWest Literary Forum – among recent publications).
Photo credit: Nature Uninterrupted Photography
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