Dragonish

Emma Simon

• Publisher: The Emma Press
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781910139646
• eBook ISBN: 9781912915002
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: European Poetry
• Index: Literature

Loss, love and various severed body parts are scattered throughout Dragonish. The poems are rooted in family, friends and home while also reaching into other worlds: the circus of possibilities, an earth-bound heavenly host, London's dryads and a nineteenth-century French brothel. Infused with a warm humour, tinged with darkness, the poems tempt the reader to peep beneath the surface of things.

TripAdvisor™ Reviews For The Overlook Hotel

“We didn’t want to leave!”

Charming staff, traditional service,

Lloyd serves a generous bourbon on the rocks

and the cutlery is always spit spot polished.

It’s the kind of place you settle into, end up loving.

In fact, our girls kicked up such a god-forsaken fuss

when it was time to leave, we decided to extend our visit.

TheGradyBunch

“Plumbing Problems”

The hotel management needs to undertake

extensive improvements. My room –137 –

had visible water damage from plumbing issues

in the suite above. The lifts were filthy.

The maze closed without explanation

and the mini-bar was a joke. What desperate

color-blind sales rep drinks red rum?

Next year I’ll be booking somewhere else

for Colorado’s orthodontist convention.

“Terrible Vacation!”

This was my worst vacation ever. Rooms were cramped

and the geometric wallpaper that lined

the maze-like corridors had what I can only describe

as a claustrophobic leaning.

Our bathroom window jammed,

while the doors were cardboard thin,

failing to keep out the din from the 1920s ballroom

– or my husband.

WendyRabbit

The Management of The Overlook Hotel responded to this review:

Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing our hotel

and taking time to share your comments.

We’re sorry you didn’t fully enjoy your stay.

We’d like to reassure you steps are underway

to address the problems you experienced

with the axe-wielding maniac bathroom window.

“Flexible check-in”

Reminds me of the

Hotel California –

with blood-smeared snow boots.

DullBoy

“Family getaway”

The ‘Little Boulders’ creche was ill-equipped

(one trike!) and attended

by the most ghastly/ghostly kids.

Though you couldn’t fault the generous opening hours,

you could leave your children

to play forever for no extra charge.

Tony

“Not what I expected, unfortunately’’

What happened to the topiary?

TheRealSKing, Maine

“Marvellous Views”

Gloomy exterior, but panoramic views across the Rockies.

Its seclusion makes this Hotel a great retreat

for yoga enthusiasts or would-be novelists –

though the white-outs aren’t ideal

for those with alcohol dependency, mental health issues

or a tendency towards cabin fever.

Still, remaining yoga enthusiasts should note

the caretaker cooks up a sublime omelette.

“Dated Decor”

Man, I still have nightmares about those carpets.

StanleyK

The Conjurer’s Apprentice

I cook white rabbit...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Other Titles From The Emma Press
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Introduction
• Contents
• The Parts Of Ourselves We Leave With Former Lovers
• Penknife
• The Derry Street Trials
• How I Learned To Speak Cat
• I Confess My Sins To The Electronic Scales
• How To Bake A Gingerbread Girl
• The End Of The End Of The Pier Show
• An Intrusion Of Cockroaches
• TripAdvisor™ Reviews For The Overlook Hotel
• The Conjurer’s Apprentice
• Morning Has Broken
• Afterwards
• Snow Domes And Care Homes
• Anniversary
• Plait
• London Plane
• The Circus Of Possibilities
• Dragonish
• The Ghosts Of Hitch-Hikers
• How To Fly Kites On Wordless Days
• Emergency Room
• Acknowledgements
• About the poet