The Michael Murphy Memorial Prize is awarded to first books of poetry, the 2017 award covering publications in the years 2015 and 16 in Britain and Ireland. The overall winner will be announced on National Poetry Day (28 September 2017) - in the meantime, Poetry Book Society members can get their hands on the shortlisted titles at our customary 25% discount!
The shortlisted titles are:
- This Changes Things by Claire Askew
- Disko Bay by Nancy Campbell
- The Observances by Kate Miller
- Otherwise by John Dennison
- Beauty/Beauty by Rebecca Perry
From Disko Bay:
Nakuarsuuvoq / The night hunter
I am a poet. I am writing about Aua, the night hunter
and how his feet compact the snow and leave deep traces
as he passes my door destined for the harbour
where his boat is moored. I never see him. He might be a ghostbut that his feet compact the snow and leave deep traces.
When he is sleeping, as if by agreement I go to the shore
where his boat is moored. He might be a ghost. I never see him
emerge from the long darkness. In the brief daylight,when he is sleeping, as if by agreement, I go to the shore.
I see drops of blood, and strange soft ochre things
emerge from the long darkness in the brief daylight.
The ice shelf bears the mark of sled and knife –I see drops of blood, and strange soft ochre things.
All through the night none may yawn or wink an eye.
The ice shelf bears the mark of sled and knife.
The shaman tells the village, bound to him by hunger:‘All through the night none may yawn or wink an eye.’
I am a poet. I am writing about Aua, the night hunter
who is bound to the water, as I am bound to him by hunger.
I hear him pass my door, destined for the harbour.