Anita Gracey has been published in Poetry Ireland Review, Washing Windows – Irish Women Write Poetry (Ed. Eavan Boland),Washing Windows Too – Irish Women Write Poetry (Ed Nuala O’Conner), Washing Windows 111 – Irish Women Write Poetry (Ed Nuala O’Conner & Alan Hayes), Abridged, The Honest Ulsterman, Poetry NI, The Poets’ Republic, Fly on the Wall, The Blue Nib, Culture Matters, Community Arts Partnership Anthology, Bangor Literary Review, Indigo Dreams, Corsham, Sonder, Utopia Project, Dream Well Writing, Corncrake Magazine, Woman’s Aid Anthology, Smashing Times, Linen Hall Library, Waterways Story-making Festival, The Executive Office, Pendemic, Monaghan County Museum, and The Wing. Her work has featured in The Poetry Jukebox and a tattoo.

Anita was shortlisted Over the Edge New Writer of the Year 2018, longlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing in 2019, shortlisted Chultúrlann Poetry Competition 2020 and special mention in Corsham Poetry Competition 2021 and honourable mention in Chultúrlann Poetry Competition 2022.  

Orbit Swim

I am thirsty from the pressure of Belfast murky streets and navigate to North Coast’s reflective calm. I could measure a thousand lifetimes but return for my Atlantic’s wise counsel.

I hitchhike a radiant eight-pointed star along the chiselled coastline. The encroaching darkness rekindles new life. My apparel falls, warm breeze caresses, goosebumps kiss flesh. The rhythmic lap mirrors my heartbeat. Dressed only in a cacophony of illuminous sound, of the wind’s lament and radiant visitors Sand Martin’s. Grassland wrestling as they turn over in sleep, whilst Seagulls tuck their beak under their wings. My water senses my vulnerability, and envelopes me in support, urging me on. I breathe in allure, breathe out the crisp chill. I let go. My chains melt as I submerge. I cast my net and found me.

In enchantments cast

side by side on life’s curved path –

ocean breathes with me.