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ROADMAP Michael McDermott BABYLAMB POETRY IN MOTI
ON “I was just a queer farm boy finding Jesus in the countryside…” It’s always a joy to come across a video which you assume had a ‘next to no’ budget and still fizzes with imagination and the countless goodwill of everyone involved. Jamie & Conor Hooper’s work for Babylamb’s latest single The Weapon is one such effort channeling Babylamb’s kitchen sink throwing concept into a madcap rollick featuring Tobias Barry and Rían Stephens embracing alter egos from sword fighters, supermarket stackers and wrestlers to puppeteers. “It’s been a very funny and fulfilling challenge to try to channel Babylamb’s bonkers brilliance into this arguably insane video,” says Jamie. “They get that no idea’s too big or too mad and our brilliant crew was more than able for the challenge,” said Conor. Delighted also to be able to make it on home turf, in Cork’s Marina Market.” Kudos to all. @babylambband Life has no story, life is unfolding. Is it true that we get all that we wish? Is it true that we get all as we deserve? Is it true that we are caught by all we evaded? Time, you fleeting and far-fetching thing – life is no story, but hope and honing. Life Has No Story is a poem by Estonian poet and translator Doris Kareva which forms part of the Poetry in Motion initiative celebrating Doris Kareva 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the EU. “The idea of a poem as a message in a bottle reminds us that no poem is an island, it needs a reader to complete the process,” says Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland. “Poems are waiting for the reader to uncork the bottle and rediscover the poem, experience that intimate connection across oceans, and miles, real and metaphorical. A poem must be compact to float within the walls of its container, yet the possibilities are miraculously endless, it’s a song but it can also tell a story or a joke, paint a picture, bring news, pass on wisdom, give shelter, advice or knowledge, travel time, praise, lament or incant – the reader just needs to open that bottle.” The European Parliament, European Commission, Poetry Ireland & Iarnród Éireann have partnered to bring a selection of poems from across the EU to commuters until the end of August. LODESTARS It’s always fascinating to see an external perspective on our island and Lodestars Anthology #17 is all about Ireland. This is an “independent magazine-meetsjournal for curious travellers who long to be inspired, see the world and meet interesting characters along the road.” It’s a beautifully conceived, photographed, illustrated and designed piece of work which encompasses everything from Breac House to Ballymaloe, hikes on the Wicklow Way and foraging in Sligo, peat and poitín as well as chats with with some of our finest ambassadors in craft and culture. It proclaims itself as, “a celebration of all that is enchanting, delicious and wild about the island of Ireland – made by those who are already under its spell.” And this care and consideration is evident on each page. lodestarsanthology.co.uk £15 8