Tickle

From Monterey to Melbourne, Derry to Hook Head, these poems touch on universal and yet personal stories, shot through with energy, bound up in short, fresh forms. With a playfulness and a watchful eye on the smallest of things, this collection touches on the pain as well as the humour of everyday life. “Tickle celebrates the beauty and fragility of our daily existence. These short poems are gannet-focused, with a velocity as impactful as a muffled gunshot. The reader is offered insightful, compassionate observations on the frailty of life and the sheer vibrancy of the natural world.” **Manchán Magan ** “Effortlessly weaving together reflections on relationships and loss, place and language, Eithne Hand’s Tickle is a true pleasure to read. Engaging, humane and philosophical, and told in Hand’s witty and unmistakable voice, these poems capture the squirm, shiver and delight of life.” Jessica Traynor “For this poet, everything has a voice to be heard: not only people but also objects, photographs, the physical body. The act of listening is a vital part of Eithne Hand’s poetics.” Poetry Ireland Review