What blackness pulls me,
protesting that I prefer the light,
but still wrenches my soul
into it’s glacial madness.

What triumphant tentacle
tweaks my tiredness
into tedious paralysis.

What despicable emotion
delivers my self-respect
into oblivion.

What relentless ribbon
encircles my lungs and
rivets my breath
to my throat.

It is the dull depressive dankness
that deprives my brain
of it’s life-force
and I die by degrees.

BY: IRENE EMANUEL (03-09-2006)

The other evening I had the pleasure of meeting Irene and during our conversation I learnt that Irene is a well-known poet having won several distinguished awards.

“Poetry allows me to get my message across with rhythmic speed and clarity and is the written word that I like best. My passions are music, reading, movies and cats.
Poetry has brought me into contact with many special people and in the process I have learnt that poetry breaks down social barriers of class and language. I feel privileged to have a gift of such magnitude, one that I love to share with anyone who wants to listen.”

Irene’s poems have been published  locally and abroad and can be found in “World Anthology of Journeys”, “Unbreaking The Rainbow, Voices of Protest”, in issues of “A Hudson View” and “The Speech and drama Association of S.A.”

In 2006, a collection of her poems, “A Scorpion Sings” was published by Trayberry Press.
“Count Catula of Shadoland & friends”, a selection of poetry, was published by Osborne Porter Literary Services in March 2011.

If you would like to contact Irene you may do so through this website and I’ll pass on the message. And to Irene – Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.