Ellen McAteer

Biography

Ellen McAteer, a poet and songwriter, works for the Glasgow School of Art. She is a mentee of the Clydebuilt Verse Apprenticeship Scheme, under Alexander Hutchison. She has had writing published in, among others, Aesthetica, West Coast Magazine, The Illustrated Ape, and, most recently, New Writing Scotland. Her play, Portrait, was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and recorded for radio. Her song Blue Valentine won a BBC competition, and has been used in a recent TV advert. She was until recently a member of Donny O'Rourke's poetry group. She was previously a director of the Scottish Writers' Centre, a member of the core group of performers at the Hammer & Tongue spoken word collective in Oxford, and a singer with the band the Blue Valentines.

Samples

Mourning in Arduaine (published in New Writing Scotland 29) A cool mercury light, Water pulling sky to sea, That soft grey sympathy Of water and stone. Shuna, small and jagged, Echoed, with variations, By Luing. Seil a faint fond shadow Embracing them both. Each made of the same stone And not quite fitting Like broken jigsaw pieces Like family. Each an island Holding to itself But part of an archipelago. Even when the rain Tears you from the horizon I know you are there: I can feel the shape of your shores Through the currents that reach mine.

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.