‘The Witches Demonstrate How Best to Catch a Rabbit’ by Jessica Traynor

Wait until the poachers have it gutted, spitted, sizzling,
until they’re lulled by the patter of fat on the fire,
then creep out of the trees, careful that the moonlight

doesn’t catch the bowie blade you’ve greased and whetted,
(the night may be cold: thermals are advisable)
then grab a poacher by his cock and bring the knife

up beneath it, threaten to hack it, root and branch,
so that he’ll bleed out in the darkness, with no ear
to catch his frantic prayers. Then take your rabbit, run.

From issue #6: spring/summer 2018

About the Author
Jessica Traynor is a poet, essayist and librettist. Her debut poetry collection, Liffey Swim, was shortlisted for the Strong/Shine Award. The Quick was a 2019 Irish Times poetry choice. Awards include the Ireland Chair of Poetry Bursary and Hennessy New Writer of the Year. Paper Boat, a new opera commission from Irish National Opera, will premiere in 2022. Residencies in 2021-22 include the Yeats Society Sligo, the Seamus Heaney Home Place and the DLR LexIcon. Her third collection, Pit Lullabies, was published by Bloodaxe Books in March 2022, and is a Poetry Book Society Recommendation.