Mnemosyne

Mnemosyne is goddess of memory; also mother of the Muses. The centred layout neatly captures the shape so appropriate to the poem: it becomes literally the ‘hour-sifter’. It’s a poem in which both sound and visual imagery attract. The first stanza reminded me of a shadow moon in a summer sky—thoughts of the night alive in daylight. And then the second stanza, which mirrors the first in every sense, is in darkness—the memory which interferes with sleep, which keeps smouldering thoughts alight. I like the sounds which run through–silver, sister, sifter, sleeper, maker, ember-keeper. They build up softly and beautifully, like sand sifting through the hour glass.

Helena Nelson