Well, I am delighted to introduce you to the second of our series of Books of the Week and in many ways it is back to where we started, as the beautiful ‘Apple Water : Povel Panni’ from Raine Geoghegan was the very first collection that we published here at Hedgehog.
‘Apple Water’ is a small collection of poems and short prose based on Raine’s Romany family who amongst other things picked fruit, vegetables and hops in both Herefordshire and Kent. Many of these poems have been inspired by actual events, personal stories and photographs, as well as the inclusion of ‘found’ words which help to bring the characters to life. Raine uses Romani language (jib) to add authenticity to the life of the Travelling people and has woven it into the collection not only to honour these folk but to create new and innovative forms of poetry, combining both the old and new.
“These are poems of Roma memory and survival brought to life through beguiling lyric and dramatic telling. They bring a way of living, of thinking, listening, and seeing, into immediate and natural focus.”
– David Morley, winner of the Ted Hughes Award for New Poetry
Product details
- ISBN-10 : 1999640233
- ISBN-13 : 978-1999640231
- Paperback : 36 pages
- Product Dimensions : 14.81 x 0.23 x 21.01 cm
- Order Signed Copies direct from Raine Geoghegan HERE
‘Raine Geoghegan catches the spirit of things; she is a poet who is deeply attuned to the voices of both past and present. These are poems which are together penetrating and generous-hearted, like the evening song of a blackbird.’ – James Simpson, Poet, Jerwood/Arvon award winner with two poetry collections,’ Hunting the Wren’ and ‘The Untenanted Room’.
‘The old language in a modern contemporary voice. I loved the poems.’ – Frances Reilly, Welsh Romani Poet and Filmmaker.
I asked Raine a few impertinent questions about ‘Apple Water : Povel Panni’:
- What was the inspiration for the collection and how long did it take to come together?
1. Being half Romany and spending much of my childhood with my Romany Grandparents it was fairly obvious that I would at some stage write about them and the Roma in general. I began this task just after I’d completed my Master’s Degree at the University of Chichester. As soon as I put pen to paper, the poems and monologues simply flowed. The pamphlet came together within a few months.
- How did you get involved with writing poetry – is there a ‘literary tradition’ in your family?
2. I grew up in a house without books, apart from a couple of Mills and Boon which belonged to my Mother. Once I started school I devoured books and loved all genres. My Mother bought me books to read. I have always loved reading and writing poetry but it was only when I began studying for the Master’s that I sensed the real power of poetry. I believe writing is my vocation and poetry is a way for me to connect with the world at large and to stay in touch with my creative imagination.
- Are you a ‘researcher’ or is your work more imagination-driven?
I like to think that my work evolves from my creative imagination. I do, however research my subject matter and love talking with others about their lives and desires. For both of my pamphlets I spent a lot of time talking with family members, listening to their stories but I have also researched the Romany culture, it’s history, customs and timeline.
- Tell us something about the book that nobody has mentioned that they have noticed yet
As far as I can remember, no one has mentioned the specific rituals and chores that the Gypsies carried out in ‘To Be A Romany.’ A couple of people have quoted the last two lines but not the content.
- What is the best comment about the book that you have heard or read?
I have been blessed in receiving some amazing comments but I think this comment from a distant cousin really touched me. ‘You have this wonderful gift with your writing of including everyone in your amazing story, like a special invitation and I love it.’ (P.H)If I may mention one other: ‘I’ve been reading Apple Water: Povel Panni this morning – a rare and beautiful voice that allows the reader to access precious living moments from the old world.’ (C.H.)
About Raine Geoghegan
I was born in the Welsh Valley’s, my mother was a Romany traveller from Middlesex, my father, a Welshman from Aberbargoed. I began dancing from an early age and loved all things theatrical. I worked as an actor, dancer, choreographer and workshop facilitator. I founded Earthworks, a women’s theatre company in 1993 and went on to direct plays and musicals. Following an accident and a long spell of chronic illness I turned to writing. I completed a Masters degree in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester in 2015. My passion is poetry but I also write short prose, monologues, articles. I have also written a full length children’s play and an experimental piece based on the life of Wangari Matthai called the Tree Woman.
For the last eighteen months I have been writing poems, prose and monologues based on my Romany family, much of which has been published in journals and The Travellers Times. I have also been featured in a film called ‘Stories from the Hop Yards’, part of a project based on the photography of Derek Evans, filmed by Catcher Media. My debut pamphlet Apple Water – Povel Panni was launched in November 2018. It was previewed at the Ledbury Poetry Festival on July 3 2018.