Leland Bardwell

website for the Irish writer

Leland Bardwell (1922-2016) published twelve books and had nine plays produced on stage or radio. Her published work comprises five poetry collections, five novels, a memoir, and a collection of short stories, published with Dedalus Press, Salmon Poetry, Liberties Press, Blackstaff Press, Attic Press and Brandon, among others. In translation she was published by Parthas Verlag, Diana Verlag and Ullstein Taschenbuch, among others.

Her centenary year, 2022, is being marked by the publication of three new books, from Doire Press, Lepus Print, and Salmon Poetry, including previously unpublished prose and poetry. In November 2022 a literary and arts festival was organised in her honour in Sligo. More details here

 
 

NOTE

for Jacqueline Bardwell

The trouble is I miss the short sea

in an alcove of rock or the wider

more impelling stretch of the Atlantic

I seem to be paralysed between two Drumlins

and the trees against the pewter clouds

unnerve me as though to say “I know your number”.

Still at the moment, all is well

and when the time is right

I shall go – there are other places

somewhere with a Russian wind talking down the chimney

and the Black Sea breaking wilfully

beyond the reaches of Chekhov’s garden.

Leland in Magherow, Co Sligo