A Study of the Elliptical Galaxy

Orion stands directly in my window Chasing Taurus across the skies

The Great Bear prowls in the North While the Twins of Gemini never cease holding hands Sirius shines brightest throughout the night

The haze of the Milky Way dances above my head I’m fixated, mesmerized and filled with wonder Billions and trillions of stars

And none of them truly the same –Creating images with little lights and imaginary lines Join the Dots: The Great Universal Edition Of the game

Like the Universe, my mind is expanding To take it all in Trying to comprehend

The speed of light Taking four years to reach us. We look into the past When we look UP

Chemicals and elements –Hydrogen, Helium, Oxygen, Carbon That’s all stars are You and I are just the same We’re all made of stardust

I am of the stars and the stars are of me

That must explain why

When I look up at the night sky

It feels like home

by Méabh Callaghan

top: Liv-Andrea Banner

Under Orion’s Belt Photography bottom: Liv-Andrea Banner

Before the Break Photography

Hush

The side-lip, the curtain twitch, the sudden switch from sour to sugared. Granny called the man from Irish Life Sweet It wasn’t meant as a compliment.

Never tell anyone your business. Don’t get too familiar. Think before you speak. Write before you speak. Don’t speak. Hush.

My Da rarely went to church he was afraid he’d shout expletives at the priest. He kept his mouth shut, sat in the last pew — growling.

I grew up an open book. I couldn’t shut the fuck up. I liked to talk.

Yet somewhere in my gene pool swam secretive people, fully clothed Victorians— buttoned down.

They bred whisper-children who passed it on in the playground, claimed the skinny ones, left teeth marks like vaccinations. A better use for their quiet mouths.

Hush.

I’ve already said too much.

by Sinéad McClure

by Zuzana Poldová