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Image shown: Emergence anthology of poetry and prose.
Doctors caring for older people in Ireland have contributed their favourite poems and prose to a unique anthology celebrating the wisdom and resilience of ageing. Published against the backdrop of the current pandemic which has brought particular attention to this often marginalised group, ‘Emergence’ is an eclectic collection of the familiar and less familiar, contemporary and centuries old, in celebration of older people.
This anthology is the brainchild of geriatricians Shane O’Hanlon and Paul Finucane who invited their colleagues to choose their favourite pieces of poetry and prose on ageing. The accompanying introductions include moving, personal and often humorous insights into the selections.
‘As health professionals who encounter older people every day, we are regularly inspired by the stories that they share with us and by their wisdom, patience and tolerance. We’ve witnessed their times of sadness, loss and pain and have been further inspired by daily examples of courage, acceptance and resilience. For those who choose to see it, ageing and the attainment of old age are matters of great beauty.’ – Extract from preface by Shane O’Hanlon and Paul Finucane
The reader will journey from Shakespeare to Heaney, from comedy to science fiction, from play to poetry, from ancient Rome to the 29th century. There is philosophy, newspaper interviews, a seanfhocal (Irish saying), religion, a fairy tale, sickness and health, wisdom, loneliness and joy.
There are contributions in French, German, Spanish, English and Irish. The anthology includes works by Jane Austen, Sinead Gleeson, Benjamin Franklin, Jenny Joseph, Patrick Kavanagh, Plato, Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats and many others.
‘Emergence’ is published by Red Barn Publishing and all profits will be donated to age-related charities.
You can learn more about the anthology and purchase a copy here:
https://emergenceanthology.com
