By Ger Cody
“Romany and Traveller voices can often be overlooked. KIN is a long overdue collection of insightful and personal poetry that goes some way to collating the female experience of nomadic ethnicities both historically and in the present day.”
These words, from John-Henry Phillips, author, film-maker and television presenter, perfectly describe a new book of poetry just recently launched at the Kevin Street Library in Dublin. The book of poems – aptly named Kin was well received by a large contingent who turned out to praise this latest book which will grace many a shelf in book stores all over the country.
Readers of The Kilkenny Observer may recall that a few months ago, we carried an article on a celebration of Traveller Culture which took place in the Neighbourhood Hall at the Butts Green, Kilkenny. In that edition, we highlighted a young traveller woman poet; Samantha Joyce.
Samantha, a local Traveller woman worked with Butler Gallery to explore her writing with an artist from the Gallery. Samantha is a writer who seeks to reflect the worldview of a young Traveller woman in her own community and wider society. Her writing reflects the themes of identity, gender, culture, and the effects of discrimination. Samantha produced a beautiful piece to read at the Traveller Pride Gathering and performed in the gallery during Traveller Pride Week. We are delighted to announce that at the launch of Kin, Samantha’s poem ‘Pavee Lackeen’ was performed by its author and received praise from all in attendance.
KIN is a trail-blazing, diverse anthology of poetry and prose writings and artworks by roughly fifty women writers and artists from Romani, Traveller and Nomadic Communities with a most helpful editorial note by Raine Geoghegan and an enlightening introduction by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh.
Eva Bourke, Poet and member of Aosdána had this to say “The editors and Salmon Poetry have done an invaluable job gathering the material for this book from contributors who are dispersed to places as far apart as Europe, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Europe—testimony to the transnational character of this ‘non-territorial cultural nation’ (Celia Grigore). Many of them are prize-winning poets, novelists and short story writers, academics, teachers, community workers and activists, taking to the page with confidence and stated pride in their Romani or Traveller origin, producing works of dazzling literary and artistic standard, thereby challenging stereotypical narratives that have been imposed on them.”
Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer, Samantha said that she was thrilled to be included in the anthology. “It is a lovely production, and first off I want to congratulate Salmon Poetry for their work on this publication. This is the culmination of the work of over 50 female writers and artists from all over the country and the enormity of the work should not be underestimated,” said a proud Ms Joyce. Samantha paid special thanks to the books co-editor Fiona Bolger who was instrumental in having her submit the poem ‘Pavee Lackeen’.
Lucy Collins, Associate Professor, University College Dublin spoke of the book’s bond of kinship “This is a book shaped by the bonds of kinship—the joy of authentic connection and the grief of sustained loss. By giving voice to memory and tradition, and by mourning and celebrating those who have gone before, these works explore ideas of belonging across time, even when they are speaking from places of pain and discrimination. In their rich and varied forms, they reveal what it is like to be ‘misplaced bodies in a misplaced city’ and yet to refuse to be silenced. It is impossible not to be carried to new worlds by this book, and to be transformed by the energies of its language.”
The Kilkenny Observer wishes to congratulate all involved with this publication and of course to Samantha Joyce, whose poem we include.
Pavee Lackeen
By Samantha Joyce
I am a proud Pavee Lackeen,
even though you may not see.
When it comes to discrimination, it ain’t no game with me.
I am a proud Pavee Lackeen, can’t you see?
Despite the animosity, I’m a proud Pavee Lackeen.
I wish the world would seek to understand me.
I am proud to be me regardless of society,
and what faces me.
I know I’ve got the backing of my community.
Being individual is hard , but I will always seek to be unique
in a world where being different is wrong .
I was always taught to stand out and be strong.
My life sometimes prevents me,
But I will always fight for what is right
And for my right to not have to fight
to be me.
In a world where my unity unites me
I strive to be the best version
of Pavee Lackeen Me.
