by Patrick Chapman

If we ever come to recall
where we laid to rest
all that we were,
and if we remember
ourselves into being
when sunlight has returned
and the moon no longer
hides its face –
we may have to ask
whoever
or whatever is in charge
why, on this island
Earth, they thought it wise
to wake us.

Patrick Chapman is a poet, scriptwriter and fictionist. He co-founded and edited poetry magazine The Pickled Body. His tenth collection, The Following Year (Salmon Poetry, 2024) was shortlisted for Ireland’s National Poetry Award. His latest book is a monograph on Robert Forster’s album Danger in the Past (33 1/3 series, Bloomsbury, 2025). He lives in Dublin, Ireland.