Glass

Emily Cooper's Glass offers an intimate exploration of a rural house, intertwining memories and the essence of place through vivid imagery and poignant reflections.

In Glass, Emily Cooper's debut poetry collection, readers are drawn into a world that focuses on the intimate details of a dilapidated house nestled in a small rural town. Rather than providing sweeping vistas, Cooper's work zooms in on the nuances of this space, revealing its unique personality and the stories it holds. The presence of past inhabitants—both real and imagined—intertwines with the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of life and memory that resonates throughout the poems.

Cooper's poetry reflects on themes of ownership and belonging, as seen in lines like 'A fountain pen slices my leg through a bin bag as I move into my new house.' This exploration of physical spaces is accompanied by a celebration of the old, crumbling structures that carry their own social histories. The imagery is vivid, with moments of vulnerability and beauty, such as garlic charcoaling in hot oil, juxtaposed with the quiet solitude of the poet's thoughts.

Set against the backdrop of Donegal's enduring landscape, Glass invites readers to ponder the possibilities of parallel lives and the unseen futures that lie ahead. Cooper's work is a poignant reflection on intimacy, disappointment, and affection, all while inviting readers to consider the layers of history embedded in the places we inhabit. Supported by the Arts Council England, this collection is part of Makina Books' 2021 New Words Poetry Programme.