Reconstruction

Aoife Mannix's latest full collection begins with a series of poems that chronicle her recovery from cancer and surgery. In the wake of physical and personal transformation, the seemingly reliable constant of the outside world is in turn transformed by the global pandemic. Between these two antagonising poles of personal health and a world shut off by lockdown, motherhood becomes a source of constant discovery and uncompromising love. As Mannix looks back at moments within her own childhood and teenage years, the realms of fantasy and imagination spill over into experiences of the present, from alternative takes on the land of Oz to a lament for the small, human connections that may be forgotten in the wake of future environmental collapse. Throughout this collection, Mannix's voice remains intimate, personable and raw. With its startling and precise images never overpowering her need to speak with clarity and trust for her reader. These poems are testament to the stabilising powers of love, empathy and imagination in the face of uncompromising and unpredictable circumstances.