Emer Davis at Boyne Readings, Trim

The featured reader at the October Boyne Readings and Open Mic in Trim will be Emer Davis of the Viaduct Bards, Drogheda, who has just launched a new poetry collection, ‘Kill Your Television’.

The readings, which are organised by the Boyne Writers Group, take place this Thursday in the Village Hall of the Knightsbridge Retirement Home, Longwood Road, Trim, starting at 8pm.

‘Kill your Television’ is a collection of poems exploring love, passion, innocence, friendship, family history, betrayal, sorrow and loss in a changing landscape, from the jagged coastline of Achill Island, Co Mayo, where Emer Davis spent her childhood, to the urban decay of London and Dublin, where she lived until moving to Drogheda five years ago.

Paddy Smith, chairman of the Boyne Writers Group, says Emer’s work examines issues of women in a changing society, with vivid descriptions capturing snatches of human life.

“Her poetry is full of sensuous imagery,” he says, “and we catch a glimpse, one moment, of a lingering thought such as 'dandelion picking in summer frocks', 'a timid kiss upon the cheek', 'steel drums reverberating', 'salt cleansed her burning flesh' and 'wavering in the shimmering lights of Soho' unfolding onto the pages.”

In the Open Mic session of the evening, writers of poetry and prose will read their own work. Writers have been coming from all over Meath and from counties Longford, Louth, Dublin, Kildare and Westmeath for this series of readings, which are held on the third Thursday of the month.

Paddy Smith emphasises that the readings are open to all. Visitors are particularly welcome, whether they wish to read or not. The €5 admission includes tea/coffee and biscuits.