Speech after long Silence

Speech after long Silence is Moira Lovell's fourth collection of poetry.  Wide-ranging in locality, subject matter and mood, the poems demonstrate the characteristic precision and conciseness that the poet brings to her work.  She delights in the magic, the music, the mystery of words; in striking combinations of sounds; and in startling images.  Her work is, variously, witty, humorous, poignant and always meticulously crafted.

'Writing poetry,' she says, 'is not a choice, but a compulsion.  I write because I have to; I write because I want to; I write because it gives me a sense of self; I write because each inky mess of words, asterisks and arrows that resolves itself into a poem is an act of control in an uncontrollable world.'

Moira Lovell has recently retired from The Wykeham Collegiate, Pietermaritzburg, where she was Head of the English Department for many years. She has had three collections of poetry published: Out of the Mist (Snailpress, 1994); Departures (Snailpress, 1997); and Not all of Me is Dust (University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2004).  Her poetry has appeared in many South African journals, including Carapace, New Coin, New Contrast and Stanzas. It has also been included in numerous anthologies and textbooks.

As well as writing poetry, Moira Lovell has written a number of Short Stories and plays. In 2000, she won the Olive Schreiner Award for Drama (Playwriting) for Bedtime Stories