FIGHTINGWORDS THE IRISH TIMES | irishtimes.com May 2018

Young Irish writing THE IRISH TIMES 2 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018

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Fighting Words 2018 teen authors INSIDE CONTACTS

4 The Adventures of Charlie and Jacob 11 Manliness By Joshua Walsh (16), St Benildus Editorial Committee: By 3rd Class, Scoil Chaitríona, LowerBaggot Street, College, Kilmacud West,Dublin 14 LauraCassidy Dublin 2 Illustration by Kate Walsh 12 Kayaking By CiaraGavin (18), Carrigaline Roddy Doyle 4 Talking Carrots By 6th Class, St Patrick’s CommunitySchool, Co Cork Joanne Hayden National School, Castlebar,CoMayo 13 Firefly By David Cluff(18), SuttonParkSchool, Dublin13 Morgan O’Reilly Illustration by Joseph McCafferty 13 Noise By Colm Flood (15), BeaufortCollege, Helen Seymour 4 The Train of GloriousOreos By 3rd Class, Navan, Co Meath Gerard Smyth St Columba’s National School, Iona Road, 14 Blackout By Amy Louisa Righini (15), Nenagh Glasnevin, Dublin 9 Illustration by Claire Supervie 21 College, Co Tipperary Education Coordinator: Jean Hanney 5 Raptor Kid Savesthe Day 14 Pink and Blue By Katy Bowes(15), Ardgillan Fighting Words is nowinDublin, Belfast, By 2nd Class, St Malachy’sBoysNational School, CommunityCollege, Balbriggan, Co Dublin Cork, Mayo,Wicklow, Galway, Donegal Raheny,Dublin5Illustration by Imran Nasrudin 15 The Church of the SundayLong Run and Kerry. Contact details available at 5 The Diamond Paw By 4th Class, Claddagh By Alannah Neff (17), Carrigaline Community www.fightingwords.ie National School, Galway Illustration by Roisin Curè School, Co Cork 5 The Bearsand theBroccoli, By Primary4Class, 16 HeyAngel By Alisha Shanagher (16), Our Lady’s KnocknagoneyPrimary School, Knocknagoney School, Templeogue, Dublin 6W Road, Belfast Illustration by Attila Szabo 17 What lurks Beneath By Grace Holmes (14), 6 Mr Grumpyand the Evil Spider By 2nd Class, Temple Carrig School, Greystones, Co Wicklow Scoil Chiaráin CBS, Donnycarney, Dublin 5 18 The Trials of Mariposa By Emma Flannery(15), Illustration by Marie Stamp Presentation College, Athenry, Co Galway 6 Elizabeth and The LastWhite Swan By 5th 10 19 The SmallestCoffins are the Heaviest By Coco Class, GoreyEducate Together National School, Smallhorne Stack(14), Temple Carrig School, Co Wexford Illustration by Rebecca O’Regan Greystones, Co Wicklow 7 Joan's Olympic Story By The Tory Writing Group, 20 Hitting aBrick Wall By Jack Fanciulli (17), Mount Co Waterford Illustration by Charlotte O’Connor Temple Comprehensive, Malahide Road, Dublin 3 7 Fruit’sGot Talent! By 5th Class, St Macartan’s 21 ATypical Day By Michaela McGovern Kindlon (16), National School, Co Donegal Illustration by Coláiste de hÍde, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Paula Gilvarry 22 Along the Path of Blue and Silver By Jack Davis 7 The Adventure Dimension By 3rd Class, North (14), Donabate CommunityCollege, Co Dublin Presentation Primaryschool, Cork Illustration by 23 An Innocent Prisoner By EveMcGann (13), Holy RobertO’Donovan Child School, Killiney, Co Dublin THE IRISH TIMES 8 The Dream By EveCarney(16),Manor House 24 Evangeline By Grace Robbins (13), Stratford Fighting Words Young Irish Writing School, Raheny,Dublin5 College, Rathgar,Dublin6 9 When IamPresident By Jamie Dandy (13), 25 Bed By LilyIsabella Williamson (16), BelfastRoyal Editor: Edel Morgan BeaufortCollege, Navan, Co Meath Academy,Belfast Additional editing: Madeleine Lyons, 10 Prayers By Rhianna Mason (15), Temple Carrig 26 The Hunts By Tadhg Shortall Curtin (13), Clonturk Conor Goodman, Hugh Linehan and School, Greystones, Co Wicklow CommunityCollege, Whitehall, Dublin 9 Martin Doyle 11 The Bird By Nellie Warren (15), Stratford College, 27 Skating By Emmie Fitzgerald (13), Loreto Abbey Production editor: Cathal O'Gara Rathgar,Dublin6 SecondarySchool, Dalkey,CoDublin THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 3 ‘Fighting Words embodies an empowering and democratic belief in all that is creative’

also afeeling aboutthe place too, asense Clockwise: Emmie In aworld where our education sys- duced. The stuff of success but not about that theworld is in safe hands. Fitzgerald, Colm Flood, Lily tem has become increasinglygeared success.For Fighting Words embodies It comes from the simplicity and clar- Isabella Williamson and Katy towardsrote learning,pre-prepared an empowering and democratic belief in ity of the originalidea. The idea thatwe Bowes; Alisha Shanagher, essaysand deadeningexam strategies, all that is creative but not competitive. can all write. Thatweall have something Jack Fanciulli, David Cluff and Fighting Words provides avital paral- Walking through the doors of Fighting to say.And that we deservetobeheard. EveCarney; Emma Flannery, lel trackoflearning and expression, a Words and witnessing the daily wonder That we all have acapacity for creating Jack Davis, Rhianna Mason, brightand open space in which(mostly) of it all, one becomes achild again. Here, something beyond ourselves. Something Coco Smallhorne Stack, young people can explore other dimen- the visiting writer or artist, jaded per- out of nothing. Nothing tangible any- Joshua Walsh and Tadhg sions of themselves and theirunbridled hapsbytheir daily travails, rediscovers way, nothingthat can be quantifiedon Shortall Curtin potential.Here your soul can sing, and the excitement of it all again.The very aspreadsheet somewhere.Just forged photograph nick bradshaw one can make some sense of the chaos, atmosphereseems to rekindlethat ear- Foreword from our boundless and unfettered carve anarrativeout of the confusion ly spark of creativityand hopeful joy.In imaginations.Our heartand soul,ifyou –much-neededskills in our turbulent those early days at Fighting Words –on like. Something true, but not just worthy times.Aboveall, in FightingWords, one Jones Road, opposite Croke Park –the or po-faced either.Because there’s much is allowed to be yourself and re-assured book shelvesofthe carefully designed Alan Gilsenan laughter about the place and abuoyant It's aspace that being yourself is just fine. More than space were bare and painted agleam- senseofplay. just fine. ing white. Today,those same shelvesare hereisundoubtedly some- But it also comes from the people be- where young Since the earlydays in Dublin, the filled with books of every description, thing magical aboutFight- hind it. From the small and committed people can organisation has blossomedorgani- withevery kind of content, in every size ing Words. And notjust the staff as well as the hundreds of inspir- cally and has spread to eight locations and colour.The shelves themselves seem secret door at the entrance ing volunteers. From Fighting Words’ explore other across thecountry,with more to come. to speak of the promise of younglives thatleadsprimary school-go- twofounders and guiding lights–Roddy The breadth of writing has broadened and the power of their imaginations. Of ers through the ladenbook shelves into Doyleand Seán Love–with their innate dimensions too, embracingfiction and non-fiction, individual voices and freeminds.Ofgifts the world beyond. It’s hard to put your senseofdecency and integrity.And, play-writing and screen-writing, ani- of words and writing. finger on it but it’s certainly afeeling of aboveall,from the abundant spirit and of themselves mationand graphicnovels,aswellas Giftswhich we now happily accept. well-being and infinite possibility.The reckless energy of the tens of thousands and their song-writing and journalism. There are Withthanks. writing in the pages of this supplement of children and young people that have also summer camps and Write Clubs, captures something of that magic, that come throughthe doors in centres in unbridled collaborationsand all manner of ex- Alan Gilsenan is afilm-maker,writer sense of imaginativepossibilities,the Dublin and beyond since 2009.Oh, and citingprojects.There have beenmany and theatre director and board member promise of transformation. But there is it’s all forfree. potential books published, films made, plays pro- of Fighting Words THE IRISH TIMES 4 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 The Trainof Glorious Oreos

The Adventuresof Charlie and Jacob

“Dad, can Iplease play for Scoil the Under 10 team?” Charlie said to his dad. At the same Chaitríona, time in Mexico, Jacob asked his dad, “Can Iplayinthe foot- LowerBaggot ball match?” Bothofthe dads said to their Street, Dublin 2 sons: “Yes, but on one condi- 3rd Class tion -you can’t play rough at football.” The boys booked their Illustration by flights and flew to Ireland to play in the Under 10 World Kate Walsh Match! The match wasvery exciting harliewas aten year old and at the end went to penal- boy with oneblueeye ties and sudden death. and one green eye who Italy wonbyONE GOAL! lived in Italy.There was At the end of the match, also aten year old boy named Charlie and Jacob met when Jacob who lived in Mexico. they shook handsand became Both boys found out about a best friends for life. World Under 10 football match Charlie said, “That wasa in the AvivaStadium in Dublin, goodmatch. Iwish Ihad tele- Ireland. Theyaskedtheir dads portation abilities so Icould if theycouldplay on the Under go to Mexicoand hangout 10 teams. with youwhenever Iwant…”

out of Oreos.Heorderedthem “Oreo! Youforgotthe filling! St Columba’s onlinefromTim’s supermarket. Now we have to start allover An hour later,Tim arrived again,”said Tim, with his hands National in the delivery van. Tim said a on his hips. Even thoughthey simple “Hello.”Oreo replied, were best friends.Tim wasfeel- School, “Howdy partner! Let’s build ing angry. atrain!” Theystarted to build “Don’t worry Tim,”replied Iona Road, the train. Timtook out some Oreo, “You canjustgoback to Glasnevin, big and smallOreos. Oreo the the shop andbuy more” Panda got really hungrywhen “But thereisnomore!I Dublin 9 hesaw the biscuits. Hismouth bought them all,”said Tim. started to water and his tummy They were both feelingvery 3rd Class started to rumbleand he just disappointed. Theiradven- had totake anibble. He hid be- ture hadn’t even started.They Talking Carrots Illustration by hindanempty box andstarted leaned against the vanand to eat the biscuits. startedtoeat the leftover Oreos Claire Supervie Just thenTim came back, car- and biscuit crumbs. rying more Oreo supplies, and After afew days, they realised St Patrick’sNational School, sawthe pandawith amouthful they neededtogotothe gym. nce upon atime The two of Oreos. When theygot to the gym the Castlebar,CoMayo 6th Class there wasapanda friends “OREO!” he gasped, “They receptionist pointed them to- namedOreo. He finished are for the train!Now we need wards the swimming pool.They lived in acave with more Oreos!” had never been swimming be- Illustration by Joseph McCafferty diamonds in it. Oreo building the The twofriendsfinished build- fore but they lovedit! wassad andlonely because train. When ing the train. Whenthey tried to “Ohhh! Swimmingpool, ne dark evening, The next sunnyday,Jimmy he wanted apet. He didn’t feel they tried testitout they suddenly realised swimmingpool,”theychanted Jimmy the Farmer checked on his carrot seeds rich becauseofthe diamonds thatthey had forgottentoput in together. wasbuying cattle and wasamazed to see they had –hejustwanted to explore the to test it out adoor!Tim got ahammerout They spent 24 hoursinthe wa- food at the mart. grown! world. Oreo’s best friend, Tim they suddenly of thedelivery vanand started ter and they started to look like After buying the “Now we’re sucking diesel!” the pig, workedinasupermar- to hammer out adoor.The only pros. Tim and Oreo were barely food, he walked to the grocery Jimmy roared. ketatthe beach. Oreo wanted to realised that thing was, they had forgotten recognisable. They had become store to buy carrot seeds. Jim- “Aren’twejust,” replied one of take atraintomeet Tim but it they had to put in any chocolate filling, athletesand were goodenough my drovehomeinhis tractor, thecarrots. wasmade of bamboo andOreo forgotten to so when Tim smashed in adoor forthe Olympics. In fact, they Johnny the John Deere,and “Holy carrots!” Jimmy wasreally scaredofsticks. So all the biscuitscrumbled to the becamethe first pig and panda plantedthe seeds. screamed. “Did you just speak?” Oreo decided to make atrain put in adoor ground! to swim from Ireland to Hawaii! THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 5

“That’s good!” said Raptor Kid. “I really lovegymnastics, my dream is to becomeapro- fessional gymnast one day!” Theydecided to enter The FlashSuperhero Olympics. It The Bears wasgoing to be heldin2019. They knew theyhad ayear to train. Together they practised and the thelong jump, triplejumps, flipping over poles and run- ning really fast. They oftenfelt Broccoli exhausted but they were also happy as theyknewthey were getting better and better every Knocknagoney day! DiamondGolden helped PrimarySchool, with theirtraining. He set up their equipment. Knocknagoney “Keep going!Faster!You’re doing great!” he would shout. Road, Belfast Finally,itwas the firstday of 2019.The big day had arrived! Primary4class Raptor Kid Savesthe Day Raptor Kid wasfeeling real- ly nervous but excited at the sametime. He wasshaking with Illustration by tised for gymnastics. His one to try to stop them. RaptorKid nervesbut he believedinhim- St Malachy’s wishwas to be aprofessional jumped off DiamondGolden’s self. Attila Szabo Boys National gymnast. back and used hissuper-speed Raptor Kid had his gymnastics Raptor Kid heard, “Help! to run rings around T-Rex Man competition at the same time here wasonce abear School, Raheny, Help!” over and over again. He to make him dizzy so they could as T-Rex Man had his karate calledSnuggles Wil- followed the voice to find his As Raptor escape. final. DiamondGolden wassit- liam who wasafraid of Dublin 5 bestfriend, Diamond Golden T-Rex Man got so dizzy that ting on apew watching both of broccoli.Hewanted to the Dragon of Treasure. Kid ran, he fell over on top of Raptor his friends compete. He waved be the first bear to ever 2nd Class T-Rex Man washolding Dia- T-RexMan Kid. He wasstuck because there pom-poms in the air to cheer play football. mondGolden hostage untilhe wasanet on the ground. It was themon. He onlyhad one friendand gave him agolden bar and a swung his atrap!! “Can someone help us?” When the competitionwas he thought he could make new Illustration by diamond. tail around shoutedRaptorKid and T-Rex over,RaptorKid and T-Rex friends playing football. His Imran Nasrudin As Raptor Kid ran, T-Rex Man to tryto Man together.DiamondGolden Man met outside the venue friend’s namewas Zack. swung his tailaround to try to used the claws on his wings to and showed each other their Zack wastallerthan Snuggles, knock RaptorKid off hisfeet. knock free the twoofthem from the gold medals. To celebrate their alot taller.The bearswere both nce upon atime a But it wasatrick!Itwas only a Raptor Kid net. Raptor Kidand T-Rex Man win,they went to arestaurant. afraid of bear hunters because boy called Raptor hologram of Raptor Kid. T-Rex were shocked and felt emotion- Theyordered adelicious meal. the bear huntersneededtosur- Kid lived in New man realised when hetried to off his feet. al aftertheir ordeal.They soon Theywere abouttopay the bill vivebycatching bears.Snuggles York. One day,Rap- grabRaptor Kid’s tee-shirt but But it was became friends and made adeal when thedoor of the restau- told Zack that he really wanted to torKid ran into the there wasnothing to grab. atrick! It to never scare or hurt each oth- rantopenedand in walked the play football. evil T-Rex Man.Raptor Kid was Meanwhile, the real Raptor er again.They began to talkto Crocodile Kid, their arch enemy “I’d reallylikesome new scared of T-Rex Man because Kid freed DiamondGolden wasonly a each other. from theFlash Olympics. friends,”Snuggles saidtoZack. he hadred eyes. and jumped on his back to fly hologram of “Whatstuff do you like to do?” “Oh no!” said RaptorKid, “Why don’t we jointhe football Raptor Kid wasable to run away.Asthey were trying to asked Raptor Kid.“Ireallylike “It’s hero time!”And the three team?” said Zack. away so fast because he prac- escape, T-Rex Man came back Raptor Kid karate!” replied T-Rex Man. friends jumped to action. The localteam wascalledthe Jungle Team. “What if the humans are scared of us?” said Snuggles.“We will just tell them that we are friend- nce uponatime therewas an Patriciapulled out amap of DIAMOND ly and hope theybelieveus,”said The Diamond Claddagh evil cat called Patricia. She lived PAW kingdom.They left thecottage and Zack. with her best friend,Harry the Harry and Patricia climbed up to the north- “Let’sgodowntothe Jungle Paw National School, jousting dog. Patriciaand Harry ern side of themountain, where they looked Team and tell themthat we are were in their cottagehaving down on DIAMOND PAW.Theyslipped friendly, not scary.” Galway dinner.Theywere chatting and came up into the kingdomand stolethe main core, The day theywenttomeet the 4th Class with aplan to take over the kingdom of whichthe peopleneed to survive. It was team,they arrivedtofind them DIAMOND PAW. an actual diamond pawmade of diamonds. eating broccoli as part of their “Wereally don’t have aplan yet,”said This caused the guards and defencetofall training diet.When the team saw Harry. apart. Wally Ruffer lived in DIAMOND the bearsthey got afright and Illustration by “Weare going to go to the main entrance PAW kingdom andwas the defender of the they dropped all the broccoli! Roisin Curè and sneak in,”said Harry.“But thereare core – Patriciaand Harry wouldhave to get “I’m off! said Snuggles when he guards there,”said Patricia. past him in order to takeoverthe kingdom! sawthe broccoli. THE IRISH TIMES 6 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018

Mr Grumpy and the Evil Spider

dinosaur on the way. Scoil “Whatare you looking at?” asked Mr Grumpy. “You’rejust Chiaráin CBS, agrumpy man.Idon’t need to listen to you!” Blarney said. Donnycarney, Mr Grumpy said, “Fine. I’ll lis- ten.But canyou do something Dublin 5 for me? Iwant to be younger so I 2nd Class can dance along to my favourite song. The one that goes, ‘Hello darkness, my oldfriend’...” Illustration by Blarneytold him, “There’s a magical spider in Japan that’s Marie Stamp black and white. Look for him because he can make you nthe smelliesthouse in the younger.” world,there lived aman “Why would Idothat?” said named Mr Grumpy and his Mr Grumpy. “I’msoscared of wife named Mrs Grumpy. spiders.” Usually, it waspeaceful “That’s not my fault,”said on aTuesday...but not on this Blarney. “If you want to be Tuesday! younger, you havetogotothis It wasPancake Day andMr spider.” and Mrs Grumpydon’t like Little did Mr Grumpy know pancakes. Theywere fired that the spiderand Blarney from theirjobsatThe Pancake hadanevil plan. Back when House because they don’t like Mr Grumpy and Blarney were pancakes. in schooltogether,there had Mr and Mrs Grumpywere been writing test to see who singing, “Hello darkness, my could write the fastest. Mr old friend...”asthey walked Grumpy had wonbyaninch. home. They met theirnext- Now Blarney wantedtoseekhis doorneighbour Blarney theevil revenge... Elizabeth and The Last White Swan

leader and sawamassiveblack He read out thefifth page: him and wasputting himina Gorey Educate shadow running up behind the Dear diary, trash can. She wasrolling him bullies.Asthe shadowgot bigger Today there wasapurple flow- down the hill. He wasshouting, Together andbigger, it shoutedout,“Boys, er,and when IlookedatitIgot “I’llbeback!” get home you’regrounded... and very scared. Idon’t likethat Suddenly,while they watched, National eatyour vegetables!”Elizabeth colour.Mymother came up to one of the black swans crashed School, could nowmake out three large my room and told me to clean into the water beside Elizabeth women,with twobrandishing it and Ihid under my covers and John. Co Wexford carrots and the other waving a because Iwas scared. She said “Amelia?”John questioned. disgruntled cucumber. that Iwould have to eat an egg- Slowly the water turned black 5th Class “Coming Mom,”one of the plant if Ididn’t clean my room. and Amelia turned white. bullies said nervously. Twoof I’mglad Elizabeth’s friend John “Now we are outcasts togeth- the bullies went home but one is awhite swan because I’m er,” Ameliasaid. Illustration by ran away deep into the marsh really scared of black swans. I “I’m not the last whiteswan Rebecca O’Regan and splattered face-first into don’t likethe black swans be- anymore,”cried John. purple lavender.Itwas allover cause they made adealwith my Elizabeth, John andAmeliaall his face andhestartedscream- mother that they would leave chased after the trash can. John ICK tock, ticktock. ing, “Ahhh get it off me.”“I’m us alone only if they could live and Amelia flew in front of the “When will John going to make you sleep in the inside my diary.Also, today I trash can to make it stop. The come here?I’m lone- “Wait,”saidJohn. “I’velost chokey tonight,”his mother pushed akid into abin because bully stumbled out covered in ly in the marsh,” my top hat in the marsh. Can shouted, holding an eggplant. he wasannoying me. banana peels and said, “Thank Elizabeth the girl you find it for me with your Elizabeth started re-scanning “I thinkwefound out the you for helpingme. I’m sor- said out loud. Just then, John x-ray vision?” the area for John’s tophat and bully’s fears,”said Elizabethto ry for all of the things that my the last whiteswanpoppedhis Elizabeth “I can try,” she replied, “As herpurplex-rayvisionap- John. “Wecoulduse theirfears friends and Ihave done to you. I head out of themarshwhere he longasit’snot toodark!” pearedreflected off the water. againstthem.” just wanted to be cool. Can Ibe had been looking forfish. started Elizabeth started rubbing her While she waslooking, John Just then, there were squawks forgiven?” “HelloElizabeth, sorry Itook re-scanning temples, andher eyesslowly rose up from the marsh with abovetheir headsand arattle “Yes but there is just one so long,”mumbled John, spray- the area for turneddeep purple. John and abookinhis beak. Whenthey in the trees. The busheswere thing: Ineed you and everyone ing fish everywhere. “Where Elizabeth were walking along opened the book, some black shaking and adog with John’s else to treat me equally,” said were you John?” Elizabeth John’stop-hat the marsh, scanning for the swans came out. The black tophat in his mouth jumped Elizabeth. questioned him, angry and re- and her purple top hat.Then Elizabeth’s gaze swanschased afterElizabeth out,barking at thegreen light. “Okay,” saidthe bully. lieved. “I’ve beenwaiting here passed atree and she saw and John. While running away, He dropped the top hat and ran “Doyou promise?” said Eliza- forhalfanhour! x-ray vision somethingbehindit. The bul- John noticed agreenlight and away. beth. “Come on, it’s getting dark. I appeared lies popped out wearing black, jumped intoabushtohide. John picked up his hat. While “Yes,”promised the bully.The want to go home.The night is reflected off chanting: “Look who it is! Miss Elizabeth said to John: he wasputting it on he sawthe night turned black and Eliza- black. Youknow Idon’t like the Farty Pants!” “Checkout what’swritten in bully who had fallen in the lav- beth found that shewas no lon- dark.” the water John looked behind the ring the book.” ender.His mother had found gerafraid. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 7

The Adventure Dimension NorthPresentation Primaryschool, Cork 3rd Class Illustration by Joan's RobertO’Donovan parkles wasaunicorn.Hewas in a lovely forest, calledthe Meatball Forest, with Diamond the baby rab- Olympic bit. Sparkleswas watching Diamond’s dreams. Sparkles couldn’t do magic and he wantedtobeaDream Watcher. He wanted to become aDreamWatcher so Story that he couldwatch allthe happy dreamsthat people were having so he could have abetter job. Rightnow,his job is that he cleansthe house Joan. Joan raninto the pub. She He had just had agreat idea. Russel’s suggestion. She wasall for his mumand getspaidindiamonds. It’s The Tory wasabit embarrassedthat she “Look, Ican help you. Ican be up in aheap aboutit. boring andhehas to do thesame thingevery waslate. yourtrainer,” Russel hadasmile “Oh my God,”she whispered day.Hewants to experience achange every Writing “Sorry fornot keepingthe on hisface. Joan wasabit hesi- to herself when she sawRus- day,and dreamsare different every day. time,”she saidtoRussel. tant. She felt shocked. sel. She wasabout totell him In the lovely forest, it wasn’t all candy-canes Group, “I wasatswimming training Her eyebrowsjumpedup. “I’ll her decision about thetraining. and sweets and candy.There wasascarywiz- all day.” speak to my parents. Ihave to “Look, I’m feeling abit tired. ard named Scribbles. Co Waterford “Nevermind. Youhaveagood think about this.” Can we do the traininganother Suddenly,evil Scribbles appeared, and he heart. Iwas looking forward to The next day,Russel showed day?” wasbehindatree, and he waswatchingthem. Illustration by seeing you,”repliedRussel. up at the swimming pool. It “Does this mean I’m going to The reason everyone wasscared of Scribbles Joan sat down and explained wasabig pool up the town and be your trainer?” Russel wasde- wasbecause he tookawaySparkles’ magic. Charlotte O’Connor to Russelwhatthe Olympic it wasquiet that morning. Rus- lighted. Finally,all his training Evil Scribbles wanted to have more magic so trainingentailed. “I’m compet- selwas lookingforward to the as acoachwas going to pay off. he could be more powerful and have the land twas Valentine’s Day. Joan ing in back and front stroke. training.Hewas in his tracksuit He had spent twoyears study- for himself. Sparkles wanted to get his magic and Russel were meeting I’m also trainingfor the relay.I and he hadawhistle. ing in England. back. Scribbles stopped hiding behind the tree. in Dublin. They were meet- want to do the diving competi- Joan came into theswimming Together,Joan and Russel He shouted amagic word: ing in the pub. Russel was tionaswell,” pool feeling tired. She didn’tget were going to work to help Joan “Candy-double-bubble!” there first and he had a Suddenly Russel looked up enough sleep the night before to competeatswimming inthe Avery big bubble appeared and it took Spar- drink while he waswaiting for and pointed hisfingerinthe air. because she wasthinking about Olympics. kles’ mum. Sparkles got reallymad. He made aplan to save his mum. First Sparkles called Diamond, the baby bunny,and said: “Diamond,the Wizardsaidamagic spell and then avery big bubble appeared and took Fruit’s Got Talent! my mum. So Idecided to help.” “OkaySparkles, Iwill helpyou save your mumbecause it willbeterribleifwedonot,” ob wasoriginally ahu- million pounds even thoughhe said Diamond. St Macartan’s man. Buthebecamea wasonly 27 centimetres tall. “ Should we ask my mum to help because we banana by eating too The onlything that he didn’t c o uld get lost going to the wizard’s castle?” National many bananas. So did knowwas that thiswas adif- “ Of course, it will be goodofher to help us,” his friend Patricia, by ferent X-Factor wherethey s a id Sparkles. School, eating too many pears. cut fruit into X’es!But firsthe “ Iwill tell her and Iwill be back in asecond,” Co Donegal Bob’s dream since he wasa went to his friendPatricia to ask s h outed Diamond. child wastobecomeamovie her advice about goingonThe “ Okay,” saidSparkles. 5th Class star.Hetried desperately to X-Factor.And Patricia said: “I A fterawhile,Diamondcame back with her come up withnew ideasfor a thinkitwouldbeagreat idea.” m um. cure so he could become amov- But he realised that The X-Fac- “ We have to go to the dark side,”saidDia- Illustration by ie star. tor wasonlyfor singing ... m ond’smum. Off they went to the dark side Even though he wasabanana, Patriciathen said: “Why don’t o f the forest. Afterafew hours,they sawSpar- Paula Gilvarry it didn’tstop him from following you go onto Britain’sGot Talent kles’ mum andScribbles. They quickly ran his dreams.Afew weeks after instead?” afterthe bubble. Sparklespoppedthe bubble. becoming abanana,hedecided But he said: “Whatifthe judg- Offthey ran and went home.Theyall played to audition for The X-Factor. es try to eat me? They might together and Scribbleswas neverseen again. His actwas that he could lift a have forgotten their lunches!” They lived happily ever after! THE IRISH TIMES 8 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018

Book Project story The Dream

and glared at the iPad as if it wasamis- behavingchild. “Well feck ye andfeckye and may ye rot in the ground for the rest of your miserable existence!” Máire, growing wearyofher husband’s antics, began her own rant “Michael, would ya stop yellin’and actin’ the mag- got, it’s yer own fault! Whist and leave EveCarney the house, you’ll burst avein, ya lug ya!” Mickey abandoned his effortsofgiving Age16 lifebacktothe technology by yelling at it and left the house,muttering curses upon the witch of awoman he’dmarried. ManorHouseSchool, Mickey slowly made his waydown the winding road into town, his head hung in Raheny,Dublin5 shame at the wayhe’dcarried on backat the house. He coughedasdust came into he sun had barely risenby his lungs, eyes watering.Hesat down on the time Mickey had pulled astone wall that ran alongside the road, himself out of bed. Beams gettinghis breath back andcomposing of sunlighttrickled into his himself. “Well Jesus Mickey,yalook a room through the light, lace state ...”anunseenvoicecroaked out to curtains. Mickey groaned as the rays hit him. Mickey looked up to seethe bent- hiseyes, rubbingany sleep out ofthem. over figure of the notorious town gossip, His wife turned over in bed,oblivious to Maggie.“Howare ya?” she cooed glee- herhusbandleaving her side. Mickey fully at him, “well, don’t Ionlyhavesome bent over,kissinghis wife’s creased fore- interesting news!” She sat down beside head,beforeshuffling into their living him, grinning from ear to ear,sunken room,worn-downslippers scuffing the eyes glimmering under sagging skin. wooden floor. His jacket layonthe tar- “Well doesn’tsomeoneonlyhavespare tan couch, abandonedfrom the previous tickets to acertain major sportin’event!” night. He slipped it over his broad shoul- Mickey jolted up, turning to face the ders,thankfulfor the warmth. Thecows crone. “Jesus Maggie who!?”Amillion out in the field oppositetheir bungalow names rushed throughhis head. “Rich- huddled together,trying to stay warm in ard O’Connor!” Maggiecackled out, the cold morning air.The sun wasnow clapping her wrinkled hands together. high in the sky,painting it with brilliant Mickey’sface fell at the mentionofthat streaks of red and gold. Flags of green name. Of course it would have to be the and red flutteredgently in the morning one man that Mickeydespised with ev- breeze, reminding Mickey of the job he ery fibre of hisbeing. RichardO’Connor, had to do. the lyin’, connivin’ manager of the local By the time Máire, hiswife, hadmade SuperValu. Theirfamilieshad hatedone her wayinto the living room, Mickey was anotherfor generationsbut thereason on the iPad his son Thomáis had given the feud had begun had gottenlost along him for his 65th birthday. He hadtold the way. Wasthe All-Ireland Final so im- his father multipletimes that it would be portant that he had to go to him? Yes, yes good to be “on the line” andthat every- it was. one nowadays was“on theline”.Mickey, Afew minutes later, and Mickey had barrel whenhewas younger? Well he’sa head to have madehim change his mind of the age he was, wasvery confused why made his waytoRichard’sabsurdlylarge dad now,and hisson is built likeafeckin’ with just afew simple words. Maybe he’s everyonewas on thisline, andwould house. He pushed down any fears he ballofenergy. He’sonly three, but Jesus, thinking about his own family –about his rather stay off it altogether,with google had about this confrontation andfirmly he’sjustafine lad altogether.Wemade son. Mickeyrecalled that Richard’s son this and facebookin’and twitterin’ all pressed the doorbell. What seemed like aplan earlyoninthe year to all go to- left town as soon as he could. Did Rich- over the shop. But he still had takenthe hourstrickled by until Richard opened Richard gether to the match ye know –the three ard throw his sonout of hishome? Did iPad graciously and listenedtohis son the door.Asly smirk came onto his generationsofus...”Mickey took asec- they have abad relationship?Did they explain all the innerworkingsofthe slab face. “Well, well, well, look who’scome stroked ondtocompose himself. “So Idecidedto not stay in contact anymore? of technology. aroundtomehouse.” Mickey grimaced his chin, get the tickets on me own, even though Amillion questions rushed through Now,hewas on Ticketmaster.ie,wait- and looked at him with hard eyes. “Listen, Ican’t work that feckin’yoke Thomáis Mickey’shead but he decided not to ask, ingpatientlyfor the tickets to be avail- I’vecome to talk about the tickets ...” leaning gave me,and Ididn’t get them.” as the tickets were too close now to lose able for that all-important All-Ireland Richard gave him alook of disbelief, He coughed to stop his voice from wa- them –again. With that thought, Rich- Final. He glanced at the clock, wiping before throwinghis head back, laugh- against vering. “Richard, allIwantistosee the ard arrived back andhanded Mickey the beads of sweat from his brow.The hands ing, wiping fake tearsfrom the corners little lad cheering for Mayo, just to see ticketinformation, printed out crisply. of the clock took an age, moving at the of his eyes. “And why would Igivethem the cream- the joy in his eyes to see themraise Sam They nodded at one another,confirm- speedofasnail waiting in line for his to you?” Mickey sighed,thinking of any coloured up in the air.That’s all Iwant.”Mickey ing the transaction. The twomen had pension on aFriday evening. reason Richardshouldgiveupthe prized looked at Richard’sface, waiting for the reached an understandingofone an- As soon as the longesthandstruck tickets. “Wecan make some sort of ex- frame of his doortobeslammed closed. But instead, other, andMickeysuddenlyrealised twelve, Mickey began to type as quick change for them, come on ...” Richard Mickey could almost see atear in his eye. that maybe they weren’t so different, as he could. Perspiration gatheredon stroked his chin, leaning against the doorway, “Mickey ...”Richard’svoice cracked but and that they could maybe throw away his hands. Just as soon as he went to cream-coloured frame of his doorway, weighing he quickly cleared it. “Fine, Iguess Ican the age-old feud. But, before Mickey press the “Agree” button,the screen of weighing his options. “Ah sure I’vegot giveyethe feckin’tickets. But onlyifyou could say anything to him, to even thank the iPad faded to black. “No ...NO!” He nothing better to be doing, might as well his options. pay double, right?” Mickey nodded in him, Richard,with aclear of histhroat, yelled at the inanimate object, shaking listen to ye plead at my feet.” agreement to the deal “Right.” slammed the door closed, right in front it. He scrambledaround for the charger, Mickey drew in abreath, filling his “Ahsure Richardwentbackinto his house, of Mickey’sface, barely missinghis nose. lifting up cushions and cursingunder his chest before letting himself release it, to print off the ticket details, leaving Mickeygrumbled acurse onto him, breath as he did. Máire, startledbythe ready to fight this hard battle to win the I’vegot Mickey standing at his doorstep. Acool shoving the papers into his pocket, but sound, walked out of their bedroom and tickets. He knew he wouldn’t get them by nothing breezeblew throughthe air,giving made his wayinto town with anew- over to her husband. She stared long and filling Richard’s head with lies, or some Mickey amuch-needed cool down. The found bounce in every stride. “This is hard at him, dumbfounded by his ac- sob story,sohedecided to tell the truth. better to be golden leavesrustledinthe trees, afew our year,lads,” Mickeyproclaimed, rub- tions. “Mickey,whatinGod’s name are “Well ye know me son, Thomáis. Ye fallingtothe ground. Mickey imagined bing his hands together,asthe rest of the ye doin’?” He ignoredhis wife’s question, know,big, strapping lad, wasbuilt like a doing” what wasrunning through Richard’s group aroundthe pub table groaned. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 9

When Iam President

Jamie Dandy Age13

BeaufortCollege, Navan, Co Meath

When Iampresident Iwillhaveaninauguration ButDonaldTrump Won’tget an invitation

Iwillhavealot of money Iwillbuy rainbow Lamborghinis Iwillban homework Andhave teachersdrink Cat’sphlegmmartinis

Iwillholdaconcert For talking crows It will be very secret Nobody will know

Iwilleat unicorn brownies Anddance in the snow Watch dancing pigeons Dancing very slow

Iwillbevery happy Money will growontrees ButIwon’t forget to Help the homeless in need

“Mickey,would ya giveitarest. Ye say Ayoung boy of threeyears’old on the the same thingevery shaggin’year!” “We’re so close shoulders of his father,grinning from ear Johnny spoke out,beforereturning to ...Ican almost to ear.The Sam Maguire in his father’s the pinthewas nursing. Mickey tutted at arms afterhis team hadwon it for Mayo hisclose friend, before setting the game taste the cup.” in 1951. He remembered that day well, plantothe restofhis comrades.“Now goingtoDublin for thefirsttime with lads,we’ve got thebestteamnow since Mickey smacked his his parents,going up the steps in Croke thecursewas putuponus. LeeKee- Park. Even at that young an age, he re- gan will tear throughthem Dublin fe-”. lips together and membered how importantitwas fornot “Mickey! Give it arest!” The lads glared slammed his empty only hisfatherand not onlythe teambut him down but Mickey stoodhis ground thewhole county.Heremembered how and remained optimistic. “We’re so close pint glass down on proudly he wore his county’s colours ...Ican almost tastethe cup.”Mickey that day. He remembered running onto smacked his lipstogether and slammed the counter the pitch when the final whistle blew, his empty pint glassdown on thecount- and running into his father’sarms.He er.The bartender looked up forasecond thingsholy, wouldyaquitfeckin’tossin’ remembered that being the only time he and continued to cleanglasses with a aroundlike apig in muck!” Máiresat up sawhis fathercry. dirty rag. Mickey licked his lips in antici- inbed, interrupting his train of thought. Atear rolled down Mickey’scheek,and pation. “This is our year ...”With those Mickeyrubbed hishead, mumbling an onto thephoto. Mickey quickly wiped words, Mickey fixedhis belt, saluted the apology,“can’t feckin’sleep, need asup his tears away,foldingthe photointo the lads, who grunted afarewell, and head- of brandy or somethin’.”Heshuffled chestpocketofhis pyjama shirt, closeto ed out into the cool evening. The drink into the small kitchen, bare feet slapping his heart. Thebrandy bottlelay in the inside him kepthim warm as he made against the cold tiles, bending downwith cabinet, long forgotten. Mickey headed the long journey home, the tune of The his knees creaking. He openedthe old back to bed,smiling softly at the thought Green and Red of Mayo buzzing against woodencabinets, searchingaround for they’d have the cup once again –very, his lips. the brandy he keptfor occasions such very soon. The words of the lads plagued his as this one, but he found something else, head that night. He couldbarelysleep, somethingmuch smaller.Hepulled out Thisstory is from acollectionofshort constantly tossing and turning in his theforeign objecttorevealadusty old stories calledBreakingBoundaries, writ- Donald Trump on learning he won't be invited to Jamie double bed. Whatifthey were right and photo.Hebrushed away thedust and ten by Transition Year students from Dandy's inauguration Mayo would lose yet again. Wasall this staredinshock.Hecouldbarelyrecog- Manor House School, Raheny,Dublin. It optimism for nothing? “Mickey,ofall nise himself. will be published in May THE IRISH TIMES 10 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Prayers

But Veronica didn’t hear the end of it Theblisteringsun stared harshlyonto Theywere hushed, as no one had really as she forcefullyslammed the front door Amira’sface, cracking thedirtthat accepted what had happened last night. in her mother’s face, rattling the intri- coated it.But shecontinued to stareup It hung over them all like ablanket of sor- cate glass design that restedinthe solid at thecloudless skyanyway. It wasthe row.Barely contained, heartbroken sobs wooden door. better option. could be heardifone listened closely. The cool early morning wind bither The cool If she looked behind,she would see the Amira closed her eyes. Perhaps if she nose and tangled her hair.She inhaled vast expanse of ocean, sunlightglittering tried hard enough, she could pretend the crisp air,fillingher lungs.She wasal- early off the shifting bluewaves. she wasback in herold life. Perhaps she Rhianna Mason ways so glad to be out of that house. morning If she looked aheadshe would see that could pretend everything wasasithad Shestrutted to the lavish car that land approached, but wasnot yetclose been.Back when hersister hadlightin Age15 awaited her in the driveway.Her best wind enoughtomake outdistinct buildings. her eyes and asmileonher lips.When friend poked her blonde head out the And if she looked down she would see her sister wasnot painfully thin from open car window. bit her her sister,clinging to her like araft in a hungerand shehad friendsand no wor- TempleCarrigSchool, “Ready for that algebra test?” Casey nose and stormy sea. Her sister’s frail shoulders ries and hermother wasalive. Greystones, Co Wicklow teased, grinninglikethe cat who caught rising and falling at asteadypace only Her mother. the mouse. tangled sleepcould bring. Her tear-stainedface She couldn’t help it as tears escaped Veronicagroaned,rolling hereyesto wasburiedinAmira’s side, seeking com- from herclosed eyes. They streamed heaven. her hair. fort even in sleep. downher face, carving lines through the eronica woke up at pre- “Let’sjustpraythat Ms Evans gets hit Amirarocked gently from side to side. cracked dirt on her face. cisely seven o’clock, her by abus andcan’t make it to class,”Ve- She inhaled The small, persistentwavesnudgedthe Her mother.She couldn’t thinkabout it. alarm screeching loud- ronica said hopefully. the crisp dingyaroundgently.The rocking was Wouldn’t thinkabout it. ly.She turned over in her She mimed praying and they both dis- steady,soAmira tried to focus on it. Wouldn’t think about how her mother plush double bed, herhand solved into laughter. air,filling Left. Right. Left. Right. had passed away yesterday in the storm. reaching outofthe warm covers to turn The sound of muttered conversations How she had made Amirapromise to it off. The bright rays of early morning ***** her lungs from the others drifted past her ears. take careofher sister.How she had been light danced through her curtains, rous- swept over the edgeofthe dinghy with ing her from her deep, undisturbed sleep. countless others, and Amiracould do She took ashower,warmwater flowing nothing but watch. abundantlyfromthe oversized shower Abroken sound escaped from her head. She got out,wrapping abig, plush throat. Amira’s eyes closed tighter.Her towel around herself. She smelt faintly of mothercouldn’t be gone.She wasthe some exotic flower,from one of the ex- onewho knew whattodo. Maybe it was pensivelotions she owned. all abad dream and if Amira onlyclosed She brushed and driedher long, hereyes she would wake up,and she’d groomed hair to ashine andput on her wake in her bed,her mom andsister crisply ironed uniform. It wasaheavy waiting downstairs eating breakfast.But uniform, with ajumperand tie. It was sheknewitwas no nightmare. obnoxiously formal and excessively tidy, Now, it wasjusther andher sister. perfectlyreflectingthe privateschool Alone on this earth. Howshe wished for she attended. her mother to wrap her arms aroundher She proceededdown hercarpeted andtell her it would be okay.That they’d stairs to her kitchen.Her mother greet- find somewhere safe and start anew life. ed her with an apprehensivesmile. Amira clamped her eyes tight, keeping “Good morning,”her mother said ten- her tears in. She had to be strong.Her tatively. sister depended on it. Veronica ignored her and continued Asiren blared through the silence. towards thefridge.She also ignored her Loudand persistent,itinvaded her ears mother’ssad, defeated look at her cold and made her disoriented. Her sister be- dismissal. Veronica wasn’t surewhy she side her jumped and people screamed, wasignoring her mother at this point, addingtothe confusion. she vaguely remembered afight they had. Aboatwas speedingtowards them, the Fight, in this instance,meant Veroni- coast guards, and ahelicopter whirled ca screamingprofanitiesather mother, loudly over theirheads.The dinghy was while hermother apologised for whatev- in chaos. Some people jumped over- er minuscule thing shehad done,trying board and tried to swim,strugglingso to endthe fightbefore it started. hardfor the safety they craved. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. Her sister started crying and Amira Thecar horn interrupted their stony pulled her close.She hummed herasong silence.Veronica took that as her cue to theirmother used to sing them, fighting exit. Casey,her best friendand ride to to be heard over the noise. school,didn’t have an ounce of patience. The boat drew closer and people pan- Upon storming out the door, she icked. Were they being savedorsent paused, just for amoment,asthe news back? Amira closed her eyes and focused on TV snaggedher attention. It dis- on the rocking of the boat. The only played scenes of chaos. It wasaboat steady thing. full of refugees,hopeless and crying, be- Left. Right. Left. Right. ing intercepted by the coast guard. The She clungtoher sister andhummed coast guardsappeared to be planning hersong as the world descended into de- to send them back. They were not being fining chaos around them. granted access to the country. Left. Right. Aflicker of sympathy ignited in her, As the boat reached them Amira but disappeared quickly from her head prayed they were being saved. Prayed as herthoughts switched to the algebra for abed. Prayed for ameal for her and test that awaitedher in school. her dying sister.She prayed for ahome, a And so, she continued her march out house to find shelter in. Somewhere she the door.She heard her mother’s cau- could be anormalgirlagain, without any tious footsteps behind her. Hermother worries, without responsibilities. started to wishher well. She hoped her prayers would be an- “Have ago...” swered. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 11

The Bird

slingshot, but Idid see it flying through My brother never told me, but Icould the air,and Idid see the bird hit the practically see the guilt wash over him leaf-covered ground with ahollow and every time he laid eyes on the little horrible thump. bird. It wasn’t as bad as the moment he We brought it back to the house and had realised what he’d done, out in the hid it from our mother.Webrought it to woods. The moment he frozeinhorror our room and put it in acardboardshoe- anddroppedthe slingshot, the same sec- Manliness box.Wehastily promised it we’d be back ond that the birdhit theforest floor. Nellie Warren after the party.Wewashed the blood off Ihad rushedoverfirst, and my broth- our hands in the bathroom. er had followed seconds after.Wehad Age15 We kept it undermybed, going to bed stared in pure horror at its wing –where each nightwith dread-filled lungs, hop- thestone had hit it. So much blood for a ing it would be aliveinthe morning, and little sparrow. Stratford College, not knowing what we’d do if it wasn’t. He never told me anything abouthow Itold my brother that we could,un- he feltabout it. We didn’t even make eye Rathgar,Dublin 6 der no condition,tell our dad about it. contact for days. He asked why,and Ididn’t tell him. All Aweek passed. The bird wasstill alive. Joshua Walsh Iknew wasthat my dad would probably “Weshouldset itfree,Roo,”mybroth- hen my brother was congratulate my brotheronhis “first er suggested, as we bothsat togetheron Age16 seven, he shot abird catch”. He’d probably order me to finish the floor of our bedroom, watching as with aslingshot. He it off. He’d scold me if Irefused. “Don’t the bird drank its water.“It’s not bleed- shot it mindlessly, be stupid, Roo, you’re aman,”he’dbark, ing anymore. Youcan barely tell that St Benildus College, while we wandered, and I’d choke down my tears. “I didn’t it washit in the first place. Birds don’t Kilmacud West,Dublin14 aimless, through the woods that we raise agirl.” belong in bedrooms.Weshould let it fly could get through from our back garden. My brother and Iwould take turnsgo- away by theriver.” “Manliness”–the characteristicsofbeing aman He had got it for his birthday,from ingtofetch worms in the morning, and It took me asecondtoagree. Icould Since when do we liveour lives based on adefinition our dad. Dad had got me one too, for we’d feed them to it. We’d giveitlittle feel doubt crawling up my throat as I Everything’salso based on ourreputation tubs of water and feed it sunflower seeds my birthday afew months prior.But watchedmybrother carry the shoebox To be ashouldertocry on yetwehave no shoulders to cryon Ihad stored it away in the back of my or fruit that we’d sometimes steal from to the stream. But it disappeared once Ourshoulders carrythe weightofafamily,both emotionally sock drawer, because just holding it had the kitchen, as atreat. we reached the riverside. The water was and financially stirred ahollow feeling in my stomach. calm, but icy cold to touch. We crouched While we hide our feelingssocasually My brother had taken it with greedy by it,inthe twigs and the dyingleaveson eyes and brought it with him when we Itold my the forest floor. Behind afalse personality were sent out to play.Ihad watchedit He opened the shoebox and tipped it Of objectifying women worriedly as he talkedabout thebirth- brother that forward. We watchedexcitedly as the To impress our fellow men day party he’d be having in the after- bird stumbled out. “Fly away!” my broth- Whilebeing told by these men to man up instead of open up noon, and tried to listen as he talked we could, under er crowed, his eyes lit up. “You can go This leads to many giving up about how sure he wasthat Grandma no condition, tell now,fly away!” As 70 percentofsuicide victims would be getting him abike. Ijoinedin. “Yeah, go fly away birdie, Are men Ieventuallyfelt calm settle inside me our dad about you’re free!” Icheered. Letthatsinkin as my mind drifted from the slingshot. We chantedand whooped as the bird Aman at theedgeofhis life beingtoldtoman up We sat down on the forest floor,and I it. He asked why, took to the air.But stopped dead as it hit And nottofessup talked to my brother about my friend the brick wall on the other side. That he’s notokay Mandy in school, and how Richie had a and Ididn’ttell We leftthe shoebox by the riverside. He’snot alright girlfriend, and how Ollie would be turn- him. All Iknew We walked back home in silence. Icould That he needs help ing 12 in September. still hear the sound of my heartbeat Helpthatwould be on offer to awomanbefore the first tear But Ididn’t realise for awhile that he wasthat my dad grinding to an empty halt as the sparrow Whilemanypeoplesteer clear wasn’t listening, that he waseyeing up a dropped into the water.Aheart-stop- Of an emotionalman looking for affection bird as it hopped from branch to branch. would probably ping senseofguilt and horror had filled To be told it’salright, I’mhere for you It wasayoungand healthy sparrow. congratulate my my lungs and didn’t drain formonths. It would mean the world to aman When Idid noticehewas watching it, I My brother hardly used thebike his Yettothe world it wouldmean stopped talking, and we simply sat and brother on his grandma had boughthim. Ididn’t touch He’snot aman stared at it for awhile. my dinner for days. Ididn’t noticehim put the stone in the “first catch” We didn’t talk about the bird again. THE IRISH TIMES 12 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Kayaking

the water,and sheisstill dripping as we sit ourselves back into our kayaks,dis- connect, and set off again. We makeit all the waytoSecondCreek, wherewe stop off. We stow our kayaks in acave abovethe high-water mark, piled on top of each other,and go to whatwecame out to see: the rope swing. The tide is high, the water deep enough Ciara Gavin to use the swing,and one by one we Age18 climb up the rock face, till we are high enough to use the knots near the top as handholds. Cian goes first, gripsthe up- CarrigalineCommunity permost knot, and pushes off his rock perch.Helets go at the perfect time, School, Co Cork when he is athis peak, the exact moment beforethe rope begins to swing back to- wards us –but he landsflat, and the re- he sky is blue and free of sulting smack has us all wincing. His face clouds –ideal for what we is redwhenhecomes up for air,stinging have in mind really.We from the impact. gather on the grass –grass Itake my turn too, trying not to rip my ground to athick mud over wetsuitonthe jagged stone as Imake the summer by the feet of amillion chil- my wayuptothe handhold. Iholdonas dren, and work together to bring down tight to the rope as Ican and leap off – the kayaks from theracks. but the yank on my armsasIsuddenly We takeout seakayaks, pointed sit-on- have to supportmyweightistoo much, tops. They were brightly coloured once, and Idropmid-swing. Ituck my legs into poster-paint red and yellow,but now my chest as Ifall,the water deep enough they aredented, anddirty,and coated thatIdon’t touch bottom, and Isucceed in dust. They’reunstable, too, but still insoaking everyone standingby. They avast improvement on the bulky,slow splashmeback, andItry not to swallow monsterswetake out for the kids. We toomuch seawater laughing. don’t call those sessionskayaking: we We spend ourjourney back to the wa- call them towing, feeling the burn of ter sportscentre counting the jellyfish, paddling for four defeatedkids in your their bulbous whitish-purple bodies arms, and your shoulders, and your belly. pulsing and glowingasthey float in the Mark slips in the mud, and falls – tide. Awarm current is comingin, and thwack! We laugh at the sound, and at they’re everywhere, tenspassingusata the stain the mud leavesonthe seat of time. Neil sayshespots one with aradius hiswetsuit. of 30, 40 centimetres, and we wouldn’t Twobytwo,webring the kayaks and believe him, except he managestopick it the paddles down the sodden slipway, up with his paddle. dodging clumps of seaweed as we go. The jellyfish is massive, and floppy, We set off on ourjourneyand Iwantto its transparent jellyflesh overhanging shriek for joy.The sunisshining,and the both sides of the blade. It is heavy,too, water glistens,and theair is clean, and and he cannot hold it for long: it slips off my heart is full up from the sheer golden the paddle and into the water with an al- joy of it: there is not aplace in the world mighty slop. Iwould rather be.The flat sounds of the We reach shore, thesun still glowing, paddles mingle with the lap of the sea and bringthe kayaks up the slipway, against the kayaks, and Ican see that Iam twoatatime. Our arms are tired,but not the only one set to burst from happi- good tired, and when all the boats are ness. Ibrace my body and paddle over to put away we collect our bags to wait for Laoise, feeling theheft of the paddle as it our parents. Laoise and Isit on ours, fa- turnsinmyhand. Ifeel strong. The kayak tigued but content,and we talk.Wewere cuts through the water,creating abreeze outfor hours, but the sun is still shining Ican feel on my face. The sun warms the and we enjoy the sightofthe light glanc- black neoprene of my wetsuit. ing off the dense foliage surrounding the Ilook at Laoise and beam –after aday centre. An oystercatcher swoops down on the water,her hairisstill dry.Ifeel is light, and with every shift in balance I er than me. He whips around, has just from atelephone pole and flies away,its mischief rise up in me, and readymyself can feelittrying to throw me backinto enough time to latch onto my buoyancy red beak marking it against the bluesky. to scoop up the water with my paddle. the water. aid before he loses balance and we’re Icomment on it, how beautiful the scen- Spotting my intentions, she begs, pleads One last hop –and I’min. We contin- both in the water.One minute Ihearyell- ery is, and Laoise smiles at me. “Do you with me not to wether.Iamdetermined, ueonour way, acluster of kayaks on the ing, splashing! And then, silence. Iwind- not have birds in Carrigaline?” merciless –but as Itry to raisemypad- shining sea. We stop off at apontoon mill my arms, pushing back to giveTheo It hasbeenalong day,and we are so dletosplash her,the force of the water andconnect our kayaks to it. Therope Isurface, space. We resurface, spluttering, water tired, and Itry to protest but Ican’t –I tips my kayak, and before Iquite know is rough –itfriction-warms our palms as streaming from our eyes and hair and can’t helpbut laugh. We laugh, and we I’m out, I’m out. My buoyancy aid lets we pass it through the handles, and tie it wipe my noses. He smiles at me, delighted to have laugh, deep from our bellies, tears in me float, and Irelaxfor amoment. The off on the anchorpoint, agleaming iron fringe out dragged me in. Iroll my eyes at him, and our eyes. She falls off her bag ontothe water is cold, refreshing, abalm to the ring. Someone has awaterproof speak- we swim, ploughing our waythroughthe ground with adull thud, and we only suffocating heat of thedry wetsuit. er attached to abuoyant yellow dry bag, of my eyes, water to the wooden ladder back up to laugh harder.Whenmymum arrives Isurface, wipemyfringe out of my and so our break hasasoundtrack. the wooden platform. to bring us home,she findsusonthe eyes, blinkout the saltwater–I’m used The freshsea airand the soundofthe blink out the Another time, we pick Emer up,alimb ground, the grass risinguparound us. to the sting. Laoise has stopped cower- music have us light-headed and we push saltwater – each,and we swing her.Mywhole body is My hair is curlingfrom the water,and ing, and begins to cackle,avictorious, and shoveeachother into the water focused on balance, holding my ground Ican feelthe saltthat hasdried on my delightful sound.Ilaugh too, and we from the wooden float. Once, Isneak I’mused to on the slippery surface –Emer is heavi- face. Our day’s journey is over: my whole work together to right my kayak,and to up on Theo –Iplace my hands on his er than she looks. Her good-natured body feels new, and Iknow Iwill sleep reinstallmeinit. It’s astruggle –the boat back,brace myself to push, butheisfast- the sting squeaks of indignation aresilencedby well tonight. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 13 Firefly

ending with aringonthe floor. Istepped tically threw me downthe stairs into the intothe circle of light andsat cross- darkness of thewest wing. legged at itscentre. Suddenly the shadows seemedto The flame of the tapertouched my crowdinand the circle of light cast by hand and Iblew it out. Idid not care for the fire seemedterribly small.The fear it. The candles were more numerous, returned,stronger than ever.Ineed- moresoothing,morebeautiful. ed nottobeshroudedinthatdarkness Looking aroundatthe pinpricksof again. Iwanted to losemyselfinlight, David Cluff light thatsurrounded me, Irevelledin to surround myself in warmth, to forget whatIhad lost, in whatIhad missed whatIhad been andbereborn in flame. Age18 for such along time. The beautyofthe Itook thefire-bucket, placed some of flames. Thesoft glowshed over all. the burning logs in it with some tinder, My eyes had drunk only darknessfor and fled the room. The floorcreaked un- SuttonPark School, so long thatthis little light wasenough der my feetasIhalfran up the hallway, to inebriatethem. This wasataste of one hand on the wall to guide me in the Dublin 13 Nirvana. Thiswas amoment of beautiful pitch-darkness, my mind clouded and eternity. my eyes achingfor light. Ialmost tripped he old matchboxsat light- But it wasnomore than amoment. over the bottomstair, stumbled up the ly in my hands.Itseemed a While Isat there,the candlesburned shortflight, and threwopenthe door in miracle to me that I’d found down andbegan to go out one by one. frontofme. it, tucked into the back of a The firstlittledeath that Inoticed On the table just inside,Ifound an- drawerinadark, dark room. sent ashiverthrough me. The second other box of candles. Taking one, I Islowly and carefully pulled out amatch, wrenched at my heart. IknewIdidn’t burned my hand lighting it from one of my fingers shakinginthe pitch darkness, have muchtime. Ileapedout of thecircle the burning logs. Ididn’t care. The pain and struck it against the side of the box. of candles and dashed to thefireplace, wasinsignificant, searing, irrelevant.I The light danced over my hands as the findingthe stock of dry wood beside it. walked out onto the floor and heldup flame flickeredinthe draught from my Tinder. Kindling. Firing.Flame. the candle to illuminate the library.The barely-open mouth. Ileft thecandle stubIhad used to light books surrounded me. Rowuponneat, Istaredatit, transfixed, my pupils wid- the fire amongst the piled wood and orderly rowsat on dark, wooden shelves ening to fill my eyes even as the unaccus- leaned back on my haunches as the last all theway up to thehigh, wooden ceil- tomed light briefly blinded me. When it of the scattered candles winked out. Idid ing. Books Icould not have readwithout began to singe my fingertips Iuseditto not care aboutthem anymore. The fire light. Ihad lovedbooks.Ihad forgotten light ataper and droppedittothe dusty in the hearth waslarger,wilder,unas- that. Iloved the flames more,inthatmo- floorboards.Itdied soundlessly under sailable. Isaw shapes in its flames that I ment. Iset to work strategically placing the heelofmyshoe, unseen in the thick fancied to be indecipherable prophecies the burninglogs and candles. darkness. Idid not care. The taper’s and ineffable truths,and fell into arev- As Itucked thelast few intonooks and flame wasstronger,brighter, warmer. erieasIgazed into them. Iremembered corners,the fire tookhold. Ifelt apangof Iturned towards the invisiblecorner the good times andthe bad. regret at what Iwas doing, but it would where Iknew the doortobe. Thetaper Iremembered when the housewas full all be worth it to see that panorama, claspedfirmlyinmyhandilluminated a of people,before theyleft onebyone and that symphony of flame. It would be art, small circle of peeling green wallpaper, left only thethree of us.Mybrother, my Iremembered when the ephemeral, transcendent. Slowly, the the vine motif writhing like anestof sisterand me.Yet it did not trouble us. books caught and the fire spread.The terrified snakes as the flame flickered Together,wefeltsafe.Warm. Happy. house wasfull of people, dry timbersinthe walls and ceiling stood under my breath. Ireached the door, Iremembered that light, and Iremem- no chance,and became part of the can- turned the brass knob, crossedthe hall, bered when it died.Myone night of mad- before they left one by oneand left vastoo. The colours were glorious. The entered thedrawing room. ness. Hystericapassio.The wrong words only the three of us. My brother, light waslike aclearpondtomyparched By the flickering light Ifound the said. Shattered mirrors.Torn manu- eyes. Icoughed alittleonthe smoke.My dresser and took out abox of squatcan- scripts. An ugly bruise on my sister’s my sister and me ...Together,we head felt light.Ha! Light indeed. Itook a dles. Lighting them one by one from the face. My brother’s, usually so impassive, last look around at that cathedral of fire taper,Iplaced themall around theroom, flooding with an infernal rage as he prac- felt safe. Warm. Happy. and lost myself.

There arethree types of noisein Opinions. As theyhit against the shore Trappedinside your own mind. the schoolbuilding. Thoughts. Loud enough to be heard Noise Ideas. Yetovershadowed by thelouder When noiseissegregated, Thefirst: All lost in themadness of and biggerwaves. It is violentand painful. Aloud andraucous chorus organised chaos. Anarchic and Monstrous. By teens The third; However, Desperate to be heard. The second: The voices in your head. With atalented conductor Afierce yelling match Asoft, suppressed noise Only ever heard by you. Who understands Between peers, Barred behindthe wall of obvious Thethoughtsand ideastucked And accepts Trying to provetheiropinions are noise. away All sounds validated Nearly never heard Constantlyfightingtobeheard There is beautifulmusic. By screaming and shouting, Althoughjust as valuable inside yourself. The school building causes a Colm Flood Louder andlouder, Pens tapping, Desperately trying to figure out maelstromofwhitenoise. Failing to realise that Soft humming, Who you are It is up to students to figure out Age15 Adding volume Feet hittingoff thefloor. And How to listen. Does notchange the outcome. The quiet ensemble of the waves, Why you’re here. To createheart-warming vocals Asound that drownsout others Rarely ever letting people knowa with the first noise BeaufortCollege, In ordertostayafloat. Teachers Fraction An orchestral accompaniment Navan, Co Meath shout to quiet Of what goes on inside your head. with the second The cacophony in vain. Keeping your potential And finally, Attempting to calmthe storm, Lockedaway, Asweet melodic symphony Only adding to the Letting nobodysee theperson in theirown mind Furious pandemonium. within. That binds andconnects it all. THE IRISH TIMES 14 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Blackout

began moving fastertofindshelterfrom the heavy downpour.The water under Jimin’s feetsplashed as he startedtorun, no longer caring if he gotwetter. He turned into an estateheknew like He turned the backofhis hand. He mustered up into an his remaining strength and bolted to Yoongi’s house.Jimin knocked rapidly AmyLouisa Righini estate he on the door,yellingathis friend to open it.The door slowly opened to reveal his Age15 knew like blue-haired, brown-eyed friend. “You do the back of know that you can justwalkin, right?” Nenagh College, Yoongisaid as he steppedaside to let his hand. He Jimin in. Co Tipperary Jimin rushed inside and removedhis mustered shoes,sighing in content as the heat of imin rushed through the busy up his the house engulfed his cold, shivering streets of Seoul,the rain soak- body.“Ihave some spareclothes you can ing through his hoodieand his remaining changeinto,” Yoongi saidasheclosed shoes. He shivered violent- strength the door,not wanting to let the heat lyashewalked to his friend out. “ThanksYoongi,”Jiminsaid before Yoongi’s house.His blonde hair stuck to and bolted running to Yoongi’sroom and grabbing his forehead as he swervedaround the some clothes. other peopleonthe street. He grunted to Yoongi’s After he changed, Jimin went to the as the rain became heavier and people living room wherehefound Yoongi ly- house ing face-down on the couch scrolling through his feed on Instagram. Jimin smirked and snuck up behind Yoongi before sitting on his back. To Jimin’s sur- prise, Yoongi didn’t move. He just con- tinuedtoscroll throughhis phone. “Are you not going to tell me to get off?” Jimin asked,tilting his head to the side. “No, because yelling takes effortand Iwanttoconserve my energy,” Yoongi answered,turning off his phone and grabbing the television remote. Jimin grabbed the remote from Yoongiand be- ganflipping through the channels,soon findingthe latest episode of Hwarang, Jimin’s favourite show.Yoongi chuck- led at how muchJimin liked the show. Pink He had to admit, he didfind it cute that Jimin wassoheavily invested in such a short show. and Yoongigot up and went to the kitch- en, made some popcorn and grabbed a bottleofCoca-Cola with twoglasses, and bag of tea lights and placed themaround “Train to Busan?We’veseenthat al- KatyBowes returned to the living room. the house, lightingthemashedid so. most 1,000times,” Yoongi sighed.“It’s a Blue When he walked in, Jimin was He grabbed hislaptop from his room good movie and Iknow you likeit,”Jimin Age15 hunched over,watching the scene in- before rushing back to the livingroom. said as he poked Yoongi’s arm. Yoongi tently,asthough waiting for aplot twist. Jiminwaitedpatientlyonthe couch, sighed in defeat andput on the movie. Fortunately,the ads began to play.Jimin sighing in discontentashewouldn’t see As the opening ads began to play, ArdgillanCommunityCollege, groaned in frustration, leaning back into the endingofthe episode. Yoongi turned Yoongi poured some Coca-Cola into the Balbriggan, Co Dublin the couch. Yoongi chuckledand walked on his laptop and waited for it to power twoglasses before handing one to Jimin over to the coffee table,puttingdown the up. He began looking through the mov- and grabbing the bowl of popcorn. The Why must pinkand blue define whoweare? popcorn, Coca-Cola and glasses.Yoongi ies he had downloaded. Jimin looked at movie began to play and soon Jimin and Pinkshould likedolls, notsomelittle greencar. sat next to Jiminand ruffledhis hair. all the movies before grabbing Yoongi’s Yoongi were engrossed. Reaching for Blue cannotcry as that’snot whatboys do, “Stop ...”Jimin whined, swattingYoon- wristtostop him scrollingpastthe mov- the popcorn at theexact samemoment, Pinkshall not fightasthat’sonlyfor blue. gi’s hand away like afly.“Ilike doing this ie he wantedtowatch. Yoongilooked at their hands touched. Jimin wasthe first though. Plus, since I’m older,you have himinconfusion then looked down at to pull away,afaint pink blushrushing Iwas told to play house, to situpbraidingmyhair, to respect me,”Yoongi said as he laid his his wrist. Jimin removedhis hand then his cheeks. To putonnice dresses as that’s whatIshould wear. head on Jimin’slap. pointed at the movie he wanted to watch. Yoongi, on the other hand,was still Pink should always staypink as that’show Iwas made, “I don’t have to,”Jimin sighed. thinking about the softness of Jimin’s To stay short, pretty and thin,towatch what Iweighed. Yoongiclicked his tongue and rolled touch when he felt aweightonhis his eyes, amused at how stubborn Jimin Jimin looked shoulder.Heturned his head to see a Youwillgrow up to be delicate, ladylike and true, was. Just as the show wasabout to come at all the peacefully sleeping Jimin.Jimin’s hair that’swhatIwastold before Idiscovered Iwas blue. back on,the lights in the house went off. fell over his eyes and his cheeks still had That’swhy Icut itoff,and chosetobind my chest, Due to the sudden and unexpected dark- movies before that pinkblush. Yoongi smiledand laid Iknow otherswillhave their say butIreally couldn’t care less. ness, Jimin squealedand jumped. grabbing Yoongi’s Jimin’s head on his lap. Yoongi removed New name, identity,pronouns and life, Yoongilaughed at how frightened his hoodieand used it to cover Jimin. As Ican’t wait until I’molder,togounder the knife. Jimin was. He held his stomach and tried wrist to stop him Jimin slept, Yoongicontinuedwatching Forthe firsttimeever, Ifinally felt Iwas me, to regain his breath as Jimin huffedand themovie, running his fingersthrough foldedhis arms, pouting like an angry no longer hidden or trapped, just open andfree. scrolling past the Jimin’s hair.Asthe movie ended, Yoongi child. started anotherbut kept itatalow vol- Never in my life, have Ifelt more proud, “Wait here, I’m going to put the fire movie he wanted ume, not wantingtowake thesleeping To be able to voice who Iam, andnot hide behind thecrowd. on and find some candles,”Yoongi said Jimin.Yoongi continued watching mov- So I’ll standuptall and say this out loud, as he stood up and walked to the open to watch. Yoongi ies until hislaptopdied at around 3am. Hey everyone, I’mtransgender and proud! fireplace. It tookhim afew minutes to looked at him in Yoongi felt so comfortable in Jimin’s get the fire going but eventually it took. presence, he slept better that night than From the kitchen utility he grabbeda confusion he had ever slept before. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 15

underfoot,rendered incapableofcon- tinuing. Iimagined myself. Ipictured myself strong, like thewalls that guard the Saltee Islands against the sea, able to withstand tumultuous storms and un- failing,infalliblewaves. Iwas brave,and daring, like all the greats before me.Iwaslight, afairy Alannah Neff practically floating over mud, hillsnot Age17 an obstacle but awelcomechallenge. Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. My heart had settled into acomfortable rhythm. Carrigaline Community My legs had losttheir new-born feel.I returned to the now from the chasm of School,CoCork my mindand experienced aspiritual re- lief.Mywatch emittedasingularbeep. Iglanceddown and waspleasantly sur- a-dum, ba-dum,ba-dum. prised to find that halfmymileshad My heartbeat thudded, passed whileIwas soul deep in thought. regularlyclimbing, fre- “Focus on the now,” Iwhispered to my- quently increasing. My self. The air waslight and fresh, chilling body seemed to audibly my nostrils,mouth and throat with creak as sinew slid over bones, causing each inhalation. Exhale.The muscles to contract, then relax, in a terrainhad changed from hard- never-ending cycle. Thud, thud, thud. packed dirt to flat, cracked Each timemyfoothit the solid dirt my tar.Myfeetbeatout asteady breath clouded the arcticair.Ifelt like rhythm, as if they were begin- agiraffe, gangly andout of sequence ning to slowly build to acrescendo. as Iran down the first hill.The pent-up My tee-shirt flapped gentlyagainst my anxietyofeverydaylife which caused skin, my ponytail swinging in time with my stomach to feel like it had gotten on each stride. the wrong side of RockyBalboa,began The air went still, as if the surround- to seep away with each step. ing trees had vacuumed the wind up. Rightfoot: schoolwork, the Everest Leavesrustled ever so slightly.The riv- mountain of studies. er alongsidemelapped ever so quietly Left foot:balance, am Iseeingmyfam- against the shore. Out over the water, ilyenough,amIstill sane? With each afairy-tale view unfolded. It wasasif step Iground away my relentless anxiet- apainterhad dipped his brush in the ies.They transformed from immovable riverand spreadsweet huesacross the road blocks to red brick, to gravel, to bare sky.Therewere soft lilacs, fruity dust. As the wind hit my face,slapping pinks and the most perfectcitrusco- my cheekscrimson, my dusty wor- lours I’veeverseen,kneaded together ries were whipped away.Step, spring, forming an incredibly enticing sunrise breath.Step, spring, breath. view.Seagullsflitted like silver bullets My mind drifted, seeking it’s ‘happy across the sky.Their low heartfelt place’, theso-called area whereone wails provided afantasticalelement to feels comfortable during even the most this unequivocal view.Anelectronic physically gruelling of times. The road beep drew my attentions backtomy- became murky as my sight turned in- self like aboomerang returns to the ward. Focus.Believe. Icalmlybegan hand of itsowner. Only one miletogo. to construct my self-belief. Like brick Maybe it wasthe dreamlike sunrise, upon brickbuildsahouse,Istacked up or the sweet-frosty air in my lungs, but training sessions Ihad completed, that suddenly Ifelt so very alive. My arms Icould never have dreamed of attempt- and legs workedinunison, suchteam- ing. Ilisted all the timesIfelt like Iwas work no factory manager has ever drowning in quicksand,completely seen. Icould breathe in abundance.I immobile, and pushed myself on- imagined myself like thehumming- wards. Ifocused on all the sting- bird flitting from tree to tree collecting ing blisters,crippling stitches treacly nectar.The antelopeand Ihad andlegs rubbed rawfromfric- much in commonasIloped towards tion. Ibuilt allofthese,eachand home.Iwasasstrong andassharpas every one into an intricatelywo- the eagle, his wings like my legs, car- ventapestry of self-belief. ryingmewith precision and grace. Ba- Thetapestryglitteredlike theriver dum thump,ba-dum thump.Every five on aJuly day as Iturneditoverand steps felt likeone, forthe effort Iwas ex- over in my mind.Iperused its surface, erting. Idefined the laws of physicsover inspectingthe quality of its weave,it’s and over and Irevelled in it.Gone was thickness, it’sstrength.Any small holes the worry,the doubt adistant memory. Ifound, any time my self-confidence un- Instead, Iwas fearless. My eyes wavered ravelled,Ihemmeditwith yet another from watch to road as Iwatched my dis- achievement. Ienvisioned each of the tance left to cover decrease. Halfamile sessions Ihad completed.Sprinting to go. Ibegansmiling.Aslowwidening up and down sand dunes in hurricane of my lips untilIwas grinning uncon- conditions, beach grasswhipping my trollably.Aquarter of amile to go, all legs raw, my feet sliding uncontrollably TheChurch previous evidence of fatigue faded. Ten- as Isearched for grips again and again. dons pulled muscles over sinew-covered Isaw countless laps of the track, sweat bones with elegance Ihad neverfelt tricklinginto my eyes, legs dragging before. with fatigue, brain ineffective as surviv- Atenth of amile to go andIsped up, al instinct takes over.Ipicturedruns in eagertofinish yet tempted by this feel- the woods, leavesslippery as polished of theSunday ing of invincibilitytokeep running for- floors, my breath catching likeahinge ever.Myfeet barelytappedthe tarmac in need of oiling. Then Ipictured myself as Iflitted along.Beep. Doubled racing. Grassy, rolling fields soon re- over,legs shaking, gaspingfor sembled places of warasthousands of oxygen and water alike. Ishould footstepstore into them. Bodies every- LongRun have felt like Iwas dying, yet my where, some strewn acrossthe swampy long runleft me feeling reborn. THE IRISH TIMES 16 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Hey, Angel

“I’m sorryIcouldn’t fix things. Inever wanted this. Youdeservedthe world and Itried so hard, but I’m just one man. I let you down. I’d giveanythingtodoit again. Ipromise, this time, Iswear,I’d fix things.” Abe knew these apologies were like screaming to an empty world. It didn’t matter how manytimes you said Alisha Shanagher sorry if no one waslistening anymore. Age16 “This ain’t fair!”Heroared to the sky. “You givemyangel back, youhear?” He knew that nobody could ever care about someone like him, who went against ev- OurLady’sSchool, erything this God he waspleading with Templeogue,Dublin6W stood for.Hewas alost old man yelling at nothing. “I can’t do this, notonmy own, please.”Hesighed, falling to his Did Itell you Steve knees with exhaustion. died last week?They’re “Charlie Iknow you had it bad, how sayin’itwas aheart at- they told us we were going to Hell. We tack. Iguess all them were just kids that thought we could drive-throughs caught changethosebackwards people. And up with him.”Hemanaged aweaksmile if it came to it, Angel, I’d go to Hell for before his face turned paler.“Ijust hope you, but I’ll never get what wassosinful that if Idie,Iain’t lonely like him. I about twopeople bein’ in love.” thought he’dbethe lastofustogo, but He bowed hisheadasheknelt on the it’s just me here. Sure does feel strange grass.For the first time ever,Abe closed that he ain’t around anymore. We were his eyes and prayed. together almost everyday since high “I never thought I’d be gettin’down to school, best man at his wedding. Steve say my prayers.Fifty years ago, if you’d wasareal great guy.Ican’t do nothin’ told me whereI’d be right now Iwoul- to thank him now.Iain’t even strong da spat straight in your eye, but you enough to carry the coffin.” gotme, right at the end. That’s where He cleared his throat and wiped his it catches up with the best of us.Idon’t eyes hurriedly.“Youknow his kids, right? know ‘Hail Mary’ or nothin’, but Ithink There’s Adam, and that girl, Ican’t re- I’d like to try this whole prayin’thing, memberher name.They’llbeatthe fu- just once before Ibite it. So, Mr Big Shot neral tomorrow.Adam’ssome hotshot God, you got time for alonely old sinner? lawyer now,and they both gottheir own Iwanna saythanks,for everything.For kids, can you believeit? Seemslike yes- my health, for the roof over my head, terdaywewere young with family on our for keeping me sane most of the time. minds ...” Most important,Iwannathank you for The words lingeredinthe airlike a Charlie. Iain’t asmart man, and Idon’t bad smell before Abe broke the silence got time to start now, butevenIcan tell again. “I forgot your paper today. So that Charlie wasthe best thing you ever you’re gonna have to get my newsthis gave me. Imade amillion mistakes in my week. There’s never much of adiffer- life. Choosing Charlie wasn’t oneof’em. ence most of the time with the big stuff. Ithink youknew when you thought him Sometimes I’d say Imention more im- up or whatever, that he wastoo goodfor portant things than the TV networks. It’s here. Ikinda knew too. I’m just so god- always the same, y’know?Some big shot damn thankfulIgot him at all. He’s the said something he shouldn’t have,we’re one thing Igot right, you can probably fightin’wars that don’t make no sense, tell. Ihopeyou’re taking real special care and Istill can’tbelievethat Elvis is dead. of my angel, wherever he is. He always Ithought,whenIread the news, that had asoft spotfor this God stuff. And if it wasgonna be the same as it’s always you see him, could you do me afavour? been. But they’vedonesomethin’ really Tell him that Ilovehim.” great.Iwish you’d been around to see it, Abe let time pass in silence. Even if he Iknow it woulda made you happy.” His wasn’t fantastically intelligent, he knew eyes shone with excitement. when enough wasenough. He finally “The president says twoguys, twoguys weddingwasn’tsodumb. “Wecoulda like regular people. No one said nothin’, had thestrength to stand up, patting the like us, Charlie, can get married.”Abe done it, everything we talked about ...” no one did nothin’, these twofellas were top of the headstone. “Don’t go getting stared expectantly at the grave like he ex- Hisface darkened, the lines around his just ...existin’. I’m gonna spendwhat- yourself into any trouble. I’llsee youreal pected 60 years to be undone before his eyes sagging. “Dammit, Charlie, why the ever lifeIgot left wonderin’whatwe soon, Angel.”Heturned his back on the eyes. “If it wasn’t for my knee, Icoulda hell did you have to be so goddamn self- mighta had, and every tear,every stupid grave and hobbled towards the gates. jumped for joy.” The lopsided grin made ish? Why would you do this to yourself, to The lump in sleepless night, is all your fault you...” If you found yourselfinTrinity Grave- Abe look almost like ayoung managain. your friends,tome? If you’d held on jus’ The lump in his throat swallowed his yard today,you’dsee Charlie’splot de- “Imagine that, Angel. How manyguys alittlelonger,wecouldabeentogether. his throat words as these long-buried thoughts teriorating like everybodyelse’s.The are goin’out in abetterworld than we Isn’tthat what you wanted? It wasall I spun around in his head.“Youthink headstone’swriting is becoming less ever got? We coulda had that dumb wed- ever needed.Itold you, you shouldn’t’ve swallowedhis you’re the only one thathad problems, visible. Daffodils no longer grace the ding you were always talkin’about.Itgot cared what anyonethought of you, of us. words as these that you’re the onlyguy who didn’t wake ground. The only evidence that anyone me thinkin’about all thatmushystuff Itried showin’ you that.” He stood and up every morning scared? Most days I ever visitedisacarving at the base of the you liked ...” He caughthimself won- stared downatthe grave. long-buried didn’t wanna be here either.Iloved you stone. dering howdifferent his life would have “The real stinger is thatifyou were so much Iforgot what it waslike to hate To passers-by,itlookslike graffiti,they been if this had happened sooner, if he’d here, we coulda gone down to the city thoughts myself. You’re theonlythingIgave a would never pause their lives to read beenallowedtospend his life with some- and got married today.Just yesterday,I spun around damn about, Charlie. Ithought you gave what’s etched upon it. one that made him happy. waswalkin’downtown. Isaw twoguys adamn about me too ...”His voicegrew Just twowords, short and sweet: Good- For that brief, fleeting moment,the that looked likewedid, holdin’hands, in his head inaudible through the sobs. bye, Angel. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 17 WhatLurksBeneath

Grace Holmes Age14

Temple CarrigSchool, Greystones,CoWicklow

ahalia rose from thewa- ter.She glided across, elegant as aswan. Her hair wasdark blue and billowed behindher in thewind. Her tail waslilac andher eyes shone abright blueand herface looked kind and welcoming. She made her way over to the man, with asubtlesmirk on her face. As she got closer,she beganto singsoftly. Her voice wasangelicasit drifted across the water to him. It was the most beautiful songhe’deverheard and he wasimmediately under her spell. He stood at the very edge of his boat, completely transported by her beauty. Her hand wasoutstretchedand he felt hercalling out to him. He reachedhis hand out, everyboneinhis bodywill- ing hertocome closer.His mouthwas wideopen in awe.Mahalia licked her lipsslowly.Then as shereached him her face changed. It becamedarkred and hersmirk changed to afrown. She made aloud hissing noise. The manjumped but itwas far too late forhim, forhehad alreadybeenchosen. Herhand gripped the man’shandsotight, his face was coveredinpainand panic.Suddenly, she made ajolted movement and pulled him intothe water.Ashewent down he “No mum! Please! Ididn’t meanto! Mahalia bobbed on the water staring gantosing. Mahalia knew in her heart screamed andyelled, but that wasall he Iwas scared ...the man wassofright- at the woman. Foronceshe wasthe one she couldnever talk to thewoman any- could do now.Mahalia wrapped her tail ened. He seemed kind, Ijustdidn’t want who wasenchanted.She stared at the way, but still she felt her heart snap in around his neck. He noticed her eyes still to hurt him.” woman for agoodhouruntilshe heard two. She had never seen someone so had that same kindness in them.Asingle “Kindness?” she screamed, “Mahalia splashing behindher.She turned in a beautiful and now her mother wasabout tearmade its waydown her cheek but what did Iteach you? Sirensdon’t need Mahalia panic of realisation that she had been to take that beauty away.Just as her she continued to squeeze his neck tight. loveorkindness, and we don’t have it! there fortoo long. mother always did. She took away the The man could see other mermaidslike Nowcop on andgoand getusfour more jumped Her mother wasbehindher with ha- best things in her life. her approaching. As he began to close men or we’llall starve!” from the tredinher eyes. “If you weren’tmy Mahalia remembered how when she his eyes, she whispered quietly in his ear: Mahalia left her chamber and braced daughter Iswear Iwould kill you right wasyounger her grandmother, who was “I’msorry.”And he wasgone. herself forwhatwould be along night. water and now,Mahalia!You’re useless! Watch now dead, had boughther abeautiful She layinher chamberwithanexpres- Herhandswere shaking and again tears how it’s done.”Mahalia began to try and violin.She played that violin everyday sionacross herfacethat couldonly be formedinher eyes,but shepushed tackled tell her mum, “Mum, no!” But she was and she had never loved anything more. described as despair.Her mother Attina them down. She would be strong. She already on the water singing. Mahalia When she turned 13, she walked into the barged into the room. She wasbeautiful. wouldn’t be adisappointment. As she her mum. remembered how she used to sing to sitting room to see her mother throwthe Her hair wasagorgeous dark-redand swam towardsaboat that wasfloating Attina let her when she wasyoung.They wouldsit violin in the fire. She saiditwas distract- her tail wasasblack as the night. Attina on thewater shethought of the hun- on the roof of the castle and her mother ingher from learningtohunt. heldher headhigh, as shealwaysdid. dreds of thingsshe wished shecould do. out asharp would sing the mostbeautifulsongs to But Mahaliahad neverforgotten that She always hadthe same airofconfi- She wished she could hop on the man’s her.But now shewanted the musicto day,because thatwas the dayshe real- dence about her. Attina floated over the boat with him andgolivesomewhere scream stop, she knewshe hadtotry and warn ised she hated her mum. And not just a quiveringgirl in apowerful manner. Ma- else. But she also knew that as soonas and bit her her mother. playfulkind of hatred. The kind of ha- halia began to shake profusely. She knew she stepped on land, that would be the Mahalia jumpedfrom the water and tredthat rose from inside Mahalia every whatwould happen next. end of her. daughter tackled her mum. Attina letout asharp timeshe sawher.The kind of hatredthat Attina raised her tail and slapped Ma- All she kept thinkingabout wasthat scream and bit her daughter in the neck. made her blood boil and she felt like she halia hard across the face with it. She innocent man she had just killed and the in the neck. “Mum! It’s awoman! Youcan’t kill her.If would explode. She watched as her mum collapsed to the ground,wailing,con- four more she had to kill tonight. Ma- we eat herwecould die anyway.” Attina neared thewoman.And whenshe got sumed with self-pity as her mum contin- halia hesitated but then readiedherself “Mum! It’s stared coldly at her daughter,weighing close enough she ...Mahalia couldn’t ued to hit her.“Youwere supposed to get forthe kill. As she slowly rose fromthe awoman! her options. But Attina knewshe hadto watch the rest. She shut hereyes tight fivemen forus! Youbrokedown crying water she sawitwasn’taman on the teach her daughter.“I’m goingtokillher and tried to block out the soundsofthe after the first! Ishouldsend you to ‘the boat, but awoman. Abeautifulwoman. Youcan’t anywaytoshow you that this is how we screams.She vowedthat day that she cage’, you’re old enough to handleyour- She had curly blondehairand palewhite live.” would never be like hermum. She would selfthere now!” Attina shouted. skin. kill her!” Attina rose to thewater againand be- make herown pathinlife. THE IRISH TIMES 18 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 The Trials of Mariposa

Emma Flannery Age15

PresentationCollege, Athenry, Galway

ere are three things you need to know about Keith Henderson. One. He is –was –my boyfriend. Two. He is –was –no, is thekindest, most gentle person Ihaveevermet. That Ieverwillmeet. Three. He deservedbetter. He de- servedthe world. Iwould have givenhim the world. Iwould givethe world if it would bring him back to me. Here are some things you need to know aboutJames Henderson. One: he is Keith’s cousin. Two: after Keith’s par- ents died, he became Keith’s guardian. Three: on April 27th of this year,at around8pm –nearly ninemonthsago now –hecame home drunk. He assault- ed Keith. The newspaper’s words,not mine. He assaulted Keith. Another few things you should know about Keith Henderson. One: at around 8.32pmonApril 27th of this year,hedied from severe internal bleeding. Two: he died alone. the pungency. “Trouble” in the parktodo aperfect imitationofa Iloved him. Iadored him. Istill do. Me. Squeaky.Scared. birdcall. * Iknow he loved me. Iknow he adored “Kath,hehit me. Kath, oh God...” At length, someone touches my shoul- me. Icouldhave asked him to do any- “Keith? Keith, talk to me.” der.Ilook up. It all came out afterwards. thing–anything–and he would have.Up “There’s so much ...I’m coughing red, Awoman, old and lined and kindly. The years upon years of abuse. The thereinheaven–does he still loveme? Kath.” Keith’s ...grandmother? grandaunt? burns,the broken bones, the missing And thenaprolonged burstofcough- “You’re Kathy, aren’tyou?” she says. teeth. The wayhewas shoveddown * Abig blue ing. Inod. stairs. “Oh, God ...Kathy,Iloveyou, okay? I “Honey,”she says, and she holds out a The wayhepresentedatanA&E at 13, Isleeponthe way. butterfly, loveyou so, so much ...” box. “We...received his things after he with “suspicious fractures”. The nights The car goes to the back entrance.Saf- “I loveyou too. Hold on,I’m coming.” died. Ithink he meant thisfor you.” he went hungry,beaten,starved. Inever er that way. He’sthere. Sitting in prison on agold Icry.Icry,right thereincourt.The jury It’s small. It’s pink. It has my name on knewany of it. clothes, sitting at the table of the de- chain. look at me, and some of them are crying it. Inside the box, on velvet. Abutterfly. How wasImeant to know any of it? fence. Idon’t look at him, becauseifIdo too, and Keith’s other family that are It’s gorgeous.Made of ruby,itsparkles, He never told me.Heneverwanted to Iwill break. Iwill shatter into athousand Keith here areintears. eveninthe courthouselights. tell me. Iasked. Oh, Iasked. I’d ask with pieces and they will neverput me back Iwas theone who foundhim. Icalled And beneath it, aquick note. afear growing in my heart. I’d ask and together again. bought it the ambulance.But Iknew. Iloveyou, Mariposa. he’d refuse until we were cryingineach Ilook at the necklaceinmy hands.A for me, in Kathy, Iloveyou. Idon’t cry,though. Ihavecried myself dry. other’s arms. big blue butterfly, on agold chain. Keith The woman touches my shoulder. “Please, Keith. Iloveyou.Iwant to bought it for me, in another lifetime. If another * “There aremorethings,”she says. “More know what’shappening to you.” Iclose my eyes and wish, Ican feelthe things that belonged to him. If you ever “Kathy,baby,nothing.Please,Maripo- warmth of hishands in themetal. lifetime. If Courtisadjourned. Ifind abench,and I wanted to take some of them.” sa, letitgo.” The prosecution asks me questions cryhardenoughtohurtmyself, choking “I’d ...” My voice comes outall scratchy He called me that,Mariposa.Itwas first. Then thedefence. Iclose my on air, clawingatmyarms. and wrong. “I’d like that.” abeautifulnickname. I’d always press What wasyour relationshipwith the eyes and KathyIloveyou. She smiles at me fondly.Thenshe goes my head into his shoulder and giggle, victim? Did you witness the assault in Ilovehim. Ilovehim. back to thecourtroom.Ilook at the ruby because it used to embarrass me. Then question?Whatdid you witness that wish, Ican Imiss him. butterfly forawhile. I’d nearly choke on the smell of his af- night? Thenewspapers saidhewas a“lovely, Areal butterflycomesinto the room tershave,and pull away.God,heused They play the phonecall for the jury. feel the quietboy”, whosedeathhad “rockedthe eventually. Abeautiful colour,deep to reekofit. Ibought acan of the stuff, Made at 8.21 on April 27th, from Keith community”. They never said anything brown, likethe eyes of someoneIknew after he died. Isprayed apillow with it, to me. warmth of abouthis eyes, the funny shadeofan- once. drenched it. “Kathy,baby, Ithink ...IthinkI’m in his hands in cient-sunny-forest thattheywere. About It lands on my hand,then flutters away. Ihugged it all night, pretendeditwas trouble” how long his hair was, how sexy it wasin Its tiny feet feellike akissgoodbye. But him. Ipretended Iwas cryingbecause of He sounded sick. Slurred. the metal aponytail.About howhetaught the kids not forever.Only foralittle while. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 19 TheSmallest Coffins are the Heaviest

Dylan. Iamsitting in thefrontrow next to Mama and Dylan. Oneafterthe other, friends and family get up and say their speeches. Once again,I’m not listen- ing. I’m just rubbing Dylan’s back while repeating to myself, keep it together, keepittogether,keep it together.Dylan is looking around theroom anxiously, CocoSmallhorneStack lookingfor hisfather.Ofcoursehedidn’t show up. He can’t handle strong emo- Age14 tions,sowhenthings get too hectic, he leaves. Istill haven’tseenher.Idon’t want to TempleCarrig School, see her,not like this anyway.Iwant to Greystones, Co Wicklow rememberher as herjoyful happy self, not as alifeless, rotting corpse. After what feelslike forever,the ceremony is ybrother Henry organ- over.Igot throughitwithout shedding a ised thefuneral because single tear,but IthinkI’vesaid‘keep it he knew Iwasn’tmen- together’ so many times it will forever be tallyabletoplan athing playing in the backofmyhead. like that. He told me I Everyone stands up andexits the could say afew words if Iwanted to,but church. Ihaven’t moved. I’m still sitting Idon’t. Iwill just break down in tears. in my seat. Islowly get up and make my Idon’t even want to have afuneral. I waytowards thecoffin.Iknow Itold want to cremate herand keep herat myself Ididn’t want to see her likethis, home withDylan andme. But Mother but thisisthe last time Iwill see her little wouldn’t letme. face, so Ihaveto. “She should go back to the earth where Iclose my eyes andplacemyhandon she came fromCarol,” she said.“She’s theedge of thecoffin.Cold, yet warm. my daughter,” Iargued.“And she’s my My palm is placed on the outer,cold, granddaughter,she shouldbeburied wooden lair.While my fingers areplaced next to your father don’tyou think?” on the silky,warm, fabric lair.Islowly Iwasn’tgoing to botherarguing with open my eyes and soon afterthey are full her because she always wins, always. of tears. Istep out of the car to see alooming She is so pale, she is whiterthan the church building. Ican see the priest dress sheiswearing. This isn’twhatmy standingatthe door ready to greet me littlegirl should look like. She should be and givehis condolences. Idon’t feel smiling and laughing or wearing one of welcome here though, seeingaswedon’t her brightyellow dresses. They are her come to church everySundayorpray favourite.Were,her favourite.Dylan every nightorevenbelieve in Godatall. comes to comfort me.Idon’t know what Once again, Iamjust here because my I’d do if Ididn’t have him. motherwants me here. On the drivehomeit’s raining.Of “I am so sorry for your loss,”saysthe course it’s raining.Onaday like this priest. He holds my hands in his. His Ifeel like the world is as sad as Iam. Be- hands are cold and damp. He bowshis hindthe sounds of lashing rainpounding head to me and slowly opens the door. against the window,Ihear aslight sob- Ilook down as Iwalkin, trying to avoid bing. anything that will triggerthe tears. Ifeel Ilookinmymirror and see Dylan cry- asmall warm hand grab mine tightly. inginthe backseat. Iwanttosay some- “Mama, is Daddy coming today?”asks thinglike what’s wrong or don’t cry,but Dylan, looking up at me. Ijust lookat IknowDylan hasn’t cried all day andit’s him for amoment. Not saying anything, onlynatural for him to shed atear or just looking. “Mama?” he repeats tug- two. “I reallysorry Mama,” says Dylan ging on my hand. “Of course, he willbe wiping away thetears. here soon I’d say,” Ireply, snapping back “It’s okay Dylan,”Ireply.“Youdidn’t do into reality. anything.” Idon’t know though. Ihaven’t seen “I didn’t knowIwould stopher waking Dylan’s father since the fight. It’s beena up,”hesays. Idon’t say anything fora good few months now.Igot in touch to taking babysteps. Just likePapasaid: moment.“What?” tell him what happened,but he hasn’t “Youhave to takebabysteps in orderto The church is ascaryplace “Shewas crying, crying, crying, she replied.Henry sent him the detailsof face yourbiggest fear.” really,filled with paintings wouldn’t stop.” the funeral. Ihope he showsup. Notfor And this is my biggest fear.People are Istare blankly out at the rain. “So, what me, but for Dylan,heneeds this. The starting to arrive now.Istand at thedoor of adying man on across. It’s didyou do?” Istutter. church is ascary place really,filled with withDylan,hugging everyperson that “I put apillow over Rosie so she’d stop paintingsofadying man on across. It’s passes. They all start talking andtelling even worse when at the end of crying. Ithought she just went to sleepI, even worse when at the end of the long, stories to me as if they thinkIamlisten- Ididn’tknow.” intimidating corridor you see your little ing. Ijustthrowonmybestfake smile the long, intimidating corridor Ifreeze, Idon’t say aword but in my girl’sface surrounded by agolden frame, and nod. yousee your little girl’sface head Ihearafamiliarphraserepeatit- sitting next to atinycoffin.Ihaven’teven Idon’t want to listen because Iwill self.Keep it together,keepittogether, made it to the end of thecorridor yet. I’m break and Ineedtokeep it together,for surrounded by agolden frame keep it together. THE IRISH TIMES 20 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Hitting aBrick Wall

ly dumb kids’ stuff, achievements,lack ofachievements, empty thoughts and things Ishouldn’t remember.Ithink. I think about the future and the past and when Iget bored Ithink about other times.Iobsessondetails. Ifret, no ac- tually Idon’t, Iforget about it. Ianalyse symbolswhere there arenone. Imostly Jack Fanciulli whineand moan. Ishouldstop that. Ishouldbemore Age17 considerate. Ishould talk. Ishould stop saying unnecessarythings.Ishouldstop caring about image and appearances. I Mount Temple should beingsoinsular.Ishould stop be- Comprehensive, ing so self-centred. Ishould stop starting every sentencewith “I”. Ishould think MalahideRoad, Dublin 3 up thenextline. Ishould get out more. Ishould stop beingsocold.Ishould stop caringaltogether.Ishouldget morean- gry.Ishouldstop waiting.Ishould stop conforming. Ishould cut ties with all I love. Ishouldstart more chaos. Ishould learnhow to be more soulless, because, to be atrue anarchist, you have got to be nd. But. Because. There is unlikeable. no start, beginning or in- Ishould stop beingsopretentious. tro. It doesn’t lull you in; What’snext? What’s next? Words, there arenogreetings or more words. Wordsthat don’t make any definitive lines. It doesn’t sense. Words that don’tmean anything. progressorevolve, youstay in the exact An endless streamofGoddamn words. same place the entire time, it just looks “OHCHILDREN!” different. Youdon’t come away from it Peoplesay things allthe time. There changed or having learned something, aremore words than breaths. Some peo- you’re justabitolder than you were be- ple breathe waytoo much. Everything fore. has aword. Everything. “Why don’t you care about things?” “I don’t talk,”Isay. pleaded Little John. Your hand gets sore from holding the “I can’tbebothered to care,”answered pen. Your mouth andcheeks tire from Psychopathic Bill. talking.Your ears are constantly ringing “Well, look at that old man over there and buzzing from listening. Your head –hecan’t walk,hecan’t see, has no overheats fromprocessing. clothes, and has no love. Can’t you feel “I should thinkless,” Ithink. sorry for them?” Everythinghas beensaid. There is “I think that he has no point in living nothing left that has been uncovered.Ev- anymore and that someone should put erycombination has been used and re- him out of his misery.” used until it is limp and juice-less. Even “How can you say that? How can you that statement has been beaten to death. be so heartless? Where’s your empathy?” “Ishould thinkless,” Ithink. “I don’t care about empathy.” Iwrite in English so that you can un- “You’rejustadisgusting monster! How derstand me. He’s agas guy,atrue come- can youlivewith yourself?” dian, you’vegot to laugh but it IS funny. “If Ihave no empathythen how can Ibe Imagesflood in. Tattoos on sick individ- morally culpable, then?” uals’arms, holding theirprecious daugh- And afterthat, Little John becameBig ter’s hand, grand, white defines less spac- John. es that you could get lost in for years, Thingsstarttorepeat. Things startto down the rabbit hole sort of stuff, with revolve. Thingsstart to moveinacircle. no sense of resolution or finality.Things Themind becomes asampler,taking in pass by on the waydown:pictures, famil- scenes from lifeorthat catchy line that iarfaces, homes, forests, an old woman plays over and over and over ad nause- in her kitchen, unable to get up. am. Stop. “I keep giving bad people goodideas; I “CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOM- Arash spreads, noweverywhere,it’s keep giving badpeople, good ideas ...” MMMEEETTTTOGHTEEEEERRRR- itchy and rawand bleeding. Butyou “An interstellllllaaaaaaa RRRRRRR!” grow used to it after the years. burssssssstttt!” It’s oooozing grey.Itstill growsand Stop. “Same as it ever was. Same as it ever nowitissucking you in and pulling your Ishouldstop that. Ishouldbe Why should we care about racism and was. Same as it ever was. Same as it ever face under water. more considerate. Ishouldtalk. mass genocide, because in the end– was...” “C-C-C-C-C-COME T-T-T-T-T-T-T-TO- Stop. “Come togetherrrrrrr ...” GETHER!” Ishouldstop saying unnecessary Iusedtolike the rain before Igot wet. Youhave planted the seed and it grows. Lookatitgo! Look at it Grow! God- Stop. Sometimes Ithinkabout –Stop. To It looks good at first,but in seconds it is damn, it’s almost impr- things. Ishould stop caring about be blunt Idon’t quitesee the–Stop. Stop old, rotting and fermenting. The clips be- “OH CHILDREN!” and go, stopand go,stop and –Stop.Just gin to speed. They get faster and faster. Youthink about somethingelse and image and appearances. Ishould aquick BANG! BANG! and – “CCCCCCCOMMMMMME TOGETH- the cyclerepeats. being so insular.Ishouldstop STOP. EEEEEEERRRRRRR!” That’s what Ithink. At least Ithink. I Iget up outofmycoffinbed,walk out Youcan’t pull it out,its roots are too breathe. Ibreathe again. Ikeepbreath- being so self-centred. Ishould stop of my decayinghouse, go over to the sol- deep and strong, it sits and decays and ing. Ithink. Ilie to myself, but Idon’t id brick wall where Ismash my f***ing the circle gets faster andfaster. realise that. Iremember things:ear- starting everysentence with “I” head in till the thoughts spillout. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 21 ATypicalDay

Itake my beans andpushpastall the rubbishand coats in thehall, to get back upstairs. Idon’t know why Ievenhave coats anymore. Ihaven’tworn any of them for avery long time and I’m surethey are miles too big now. Ihavethought about bringingthem to the charity shop or throwing themout,but Ithink they Michaela would be awful upset to lose their fateful place on thefloor in hall. McGovern Kindlon Iavoid the nailsonthe stairs and go Age16 intothe small room next to mine.Itis by far thecleanest room in the house. I’ll admitthe smell is strong in heretoo. Coláiste de hÍde,Tallaght, To be honest,I’m not sure if the smell is from thehouse or whetherithas seeped Dublin24 beneath my skin. Anyways, it is an emptyroom except for my darling in the centre in her cage and can’t remember when Iwoke up, acupboard in the corner.Her largecage or if Isleptatall. is rusting now but it still stands proudly. Ican see daylightsneaking her When Iwalk in, she is sitting on her perch. waythrough my curtains and I Her eyes turn my waybut not her body. begintopanic,because Icould Her eyes used to light up when Iwalked possiblyhavemissed the mostexciting in,but now she understands that it is me part of the day. and onlymeshe will layeyes on,therefore Iclimb out of my bed. The sheetsare they have fallen coldand glossedover. turning faintly yellow and Iknow I Igotothe shabbycupboard and take should change them but Idon’t know if out ahandful of seed from aplastic bag I’m able forthat right now. and put it on the floor of her cage. When Maybe next week. Ido, she snaps at me and my hand begins Imake my waydown thecreaky stairs, to trickle blood.But Iknow she didn’t the bare wood roughonmyfeet. mean it, Iknow.Isit on therough, dusty There are twonails you have to watch floor with my can of beans andwatch out for, one on the third step and one on her pull out her feathers with her beak. the second last. They fall elegantlytothe floor,leaving Ishuffle past therubbish on the floor to her pink skin exposed. Iwatch her.I get into the livingroom to check on my eat my beanswithmyhands,unableto goldfish. Inever gave him aname because distinguish the trickling bloodfromthe it wastoo much commitment. Itried to tomato sauce. namehim once, but ended up spending Ican’t tell if it’s dark yet from in here twohours pullingand pullingand pull- because Iboarded thewindow with ingatmyhairuntil my scalpwas sore. wood. Iwas afraid that thesight of the My fishhas beenfloating in his bowl other birds in the sky wouldmake her feel for about twoweeks now. At first, Ididn’t trapped or upset. It’s forher own good. notice he wasdead because the glass When Iwalk outside the room Ican see bowlwas so fullofgreen gunkthat I the orange glow pouring in through the couldn’t really see him anymore.Iknow windows. Itrudge to my roomand turn Ishould’ve cleanedout histank but I on my tinyradio.Ihave to turn it off after didn’twanttotake himout of hishome, afew minutes because thenewsscares and when he comesbackitwould be all me too much. There is just so much go- different. He seems like ahappy fish, ing on and so much hurt out there. My honest.Iknow Ishouldflush him down doctor told me Ishould face thattoo. the toilet, like you see on TV,but Ireally Maybeone day. don’t wannaacceptheisgone. When Iturn theradio back on, classi- Maybe another time. cal musicisplaying. Ibreathe in themu- Icheck the dustyclock on the wall. sic and Istare at the wall. The wallpaper 7.43am. Ilet asigh of relief because Iha- is peeling andisapainful colour.Itry to ven’tmissed it yet. Once he is gone, the adrenaline evap- but Iwouldn’t knowwhere to startin thinkofwhenitwas whitewith afloral Isit in my armchairinfront of thewin- oratesinto the air.Isit in thearmchair here. It’sjusttoo difficult. design, butthatreally hurts my head. dow and Iwait. and look at my mail. It is aletter from my Iknow Ikeep sayingmaybeanother As Ilie on my bed,Istart to considera At 8.51am, Inoticethe figure through doctor lettingmeknowwhenhis next day, buttoday justisn’t theday. conversationmeand my doctor had the the blinds on my window. Iwatch them visit will be and asking about my medi- The fridge had nothing edible apart last time we spoke. approachthe hall and Ileaptowards the cation. He is areally nice lad, brings me from atomato, ayogurt and ahalf-eaten He said Iwould be happy at anew door– shopping once amonthbecause he knows tin of beans. Itake the beans out and put place. He saidthe new place hadother My whole body overwhelmedwith ex- Ican’t go outside.Mydoctor knowsI Icannot them in themicrowave.The beanson peoplelike me and people who could citement– won’treply to his letter. It wouldtakeme top have formed ahard,dark layerbut help. He told me that Iwouldfinally be Here it is– acentury to find the words and besides, I let myself Ithink they’ll be fine. Istand and watch able to get my life backontrack. But if Everything hasled to this – don’t have astamp. My doctor offeredto think the beans spin and spinand spin.Istart I’m honestIdon’t reallyunderstand be- The figure leans in closetome– bring stampsonce, butIsaid maybe an- to thinkofhow microwavesworkbut I causetodaywas avery productiveday –I Anddrops apiece of paper through the othertime. Idon’t like to write anymore, about the know it will just frustrate me so Ihave did all Ihad to and Idon’t want to leave slitinthe door– but Idodrawcircles, sometimes. to stop.Ithappens quite alot lately. I because who wouldlook after my fish My vision blurswithtears– Ifind myself in the kitchen. world cannot let myself thinkabout theworld and my darling? Because it’s almost like company, for a The entirecountertopand floorare advancing advancing aroundme, without me. My My doctor tells me my lifestyle is un- moment. covered in plastic,platesand oldfood.A doctor tells me to just accept this sort of healthyand that I’msick. He tells me I Irun backtothe living room and watch blanketofmould shelters almost every- around me, thing,let myself go through the process needtomoveonfrom what Isaw allthose the figure leave, his navy cap and bright thing andflies dance around the room. of thinking. Ithinkmydoctor doesn’t yearsago. Itell him not right now,but we yellow vest,his back turned to me. The smell is breathtaking,itreally is bad without me know all that he thinks he does. both know Iwilldie alone in this house. THE IRISH TIMES 22 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Along the Path of Blue

Jack Davis Age14 Donabate Community College,CoDublin

is eyes widened. Just afew moments ago, he had moved along, unthinking. Then he snatched around object up in his mouth and ate it. Had awoody, funny taste from it. What wasitcalled? The word came to him. It wascalled anut. Hewas self-aware. “Who am I?” he thought. It wasanodd question for sure. What wasthis sensation of just ...being? It filled him with excitementtowonder, to think and contemplate his own mind. He looked back to his past. He remem- bered the early days of his fleshy shell’s existence–itwas smalland fragile. He moved down this very path, to the place where his peoplelived. They weren’t en- lightened with knowledge. They weren’t even privy to their own existence. He re- alised that he wasn’t like them anymore. He flexed his fins. Swimmingdeftly,he leaped from the water,snatching afly from the air,and devouring it swiftly.It wasasimpler time, away from this path of water and stone. It wasatthat moment that he sawit. Abehemoth of fleshand blood. It was hairy and stank of rot. It sat at the edge, with aspear inits hand,surrounded by finned corpses, not unlike his kin. It picked through the bodies,and on find- ingsome amiss,chucked them over its shoulder. am? It may surprise you how much you “My death? My death!MYDEATH AND miss. It brings me no pleasure to do this, He wasrepulsed by its disregard for know already,” the voice uttered. CONSUMPTION BY ADISGUSTING but Iwill make it sear your flesh if any life, and wasconsumed with fury.Mov- And so, the fish thought. Almost imme- APE IS WHATAWAITS ME!” resistance is shown.DoImake myself ing quickly,heleaped up fast, much to diately,his answer wasthere before him. Manannán Mac Lir gave him ahurt clear?” the surprise of the sparsely-furred beast, “Gods, you’re Manannán Mac Lir, son of Youwere look.“Well, there’s this old poet named The Salmon of Knowledgethought sending it crashing. It flailed in the wa- the ocean itself!” damned Finegas, who has been an ardent believ- harder than anyliving thingshould. Was ter,yelling, disorientated. He swam This wasamazing. Not only did he er to the gods.So, Idecided to reward there away out? What mustbedone? away triumphantly. Buthis mind froze. know who he wastalking to, but he now from the him by giving him boundless knowledge. Aspark of inspiration crackled in his He felt something in his stomachdrop knew everything. The voice changed, To have Finegas catch and eat asalmon, mind. Why couldn’t he givethe god and, while his body went backtothat an- sounding kindlier, if chaotic, in tone. moment who has eaten from the Tree of Knowl- something to think about?Herespond- imalistic mind, histhoughts moved else- “Yes! Youare He who Ihave chosen. Iam edge, thuspassing on wisdom, and al- ed.“Fine.” where. He wasalittle surprised. sure you have manyquestions that need youate lowing him to create the most breath- The god bellowed, angrierthan ever He wasswimming throughunending answering, youngfry.” the Nutof taking poetry,that is worthy of the ears before.“INSOLENT WORM, YOUR darkness.Afeeling of warmth appeared There wasasound of deafening laugh- of the Daghda himself. And you arethat DEATH WILL BE A...”The voice within his mind, which washis entire ter as he faintly made out the sound of Knowledge. salmon. Is it not an honour, to die for the trailed off. “Could you saythat again?” body at this point, filling him with peace. wavesinthe distance. Then the voice be- gods?” He sighed asigh of apparent resigna- Apowerful light appeared before him. A came tranquil, as it had become cheer- Youleave “I am not just asalmon anymore, my tion “Yes,you win, I’ll die for the sake dappled lightshone in thedarkness, that ful. me no lord.”Hespatthe word out, “I am some- of your precious poetry.But remember the darkness cannot overcome. Avoice “So, youknow what awaits you, don’t thing fargreater than men, kingsand this, gods can onlyhave power if they spoke to him. “So, you have arrived. I you?”said Manannán. He considered choice. I even you!For Iamnot asalmon,Iam have the beliefofthe people. You’ve thought that nut would never fall. You this,and realised what lay beyond for the Salmon of Knowledge, and Iwould done well for yourself,changing names have my attention,young fry.” him. He responded bitterly, “Yes, my shall bless rather have my knowledge taken away to suitthe people. Maybe Ishould call “Who are you?” he said bewildered, lord. Iknowexactly what awaitsme.” from me than to serveyourwill.” you by your other names,Neptune? Po- despite never even knowingthe spoken Therewas along, cold silence. the spear The voice grew perturbed. “You were seidon? Sobek? Dagon? Iknow them all. word, he liked the sound of this ‘voice’ he “I’m sorry, but you mustundersta-“ to never damned from the moment you ate the Isee sixglowinglights of belief in the had obtained. thegod began, before he wascut off Nut of Knowledge. Youleave me no far future, but none of it goes to you. I “Think,youngfry.Who do youthinkI mid-sentence. The salmonscreamed miss choice. Ishall bless the speartonever will die, and my soul will be freedtodo THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 23

An Innocent and Silver Prisoner

EveMcGann Age13

HolyChild School, Killiney,CoDublin

Ithought, that when he wielded hisweathered stick, Andcalledtousinhis rough,worn voice, It wasanindicationoffoodinthe barrel, Theconstantly emptytrayreplenished, Butitwas not forthat reasonheherdedusout, Outofour muddy, hoof-imprinted home, It wasnot forthatreason he whistledfor the dog, Bitingeagerlyatour ankles for ahoof outofline,

*** We sauntered downthe country road, Stealingchompsout of thenewly discoveredbushes, Aricher sustenance than the uprooted grass, The only vegetation we knew, However, It wasnot forthatreason he slappedour rears and checked thetags on ourears, It wasnot forthatreason he counted us greedily, Weighing the fat with vigour,

*** He herded us into atwo-heightenedvan, Andwestuck ourheads outthe bars, Like terrified, wide-eyed prisoners, Yetweknewnot our crime, Nor the punishment, Whenonce, our newly discovered world, just this morning, Seemedrichand teeming with endless things to explore, Now, We wished forthe quiet life of amunching, boredcow, Though what thoughtswehad, Madenomoreanimprint, Than ourhooveshad onthe country-side gravellane.

as it wishes with thisgift of knowledge. eyes. Hangon, eyes? He blinked afew boy plucked his thumbfrom his mouth, Youwon’t die. Youwill feelyourpower times to be sure. Wait ...blinking? He examined it, and put it back. What hap- dwindleand eventuallyfade,until noth- couldn’t blink!What washappening? penednext wasvery odd. ing is left morethan amote of thought in He looked ahead.Therewas Fionn, Fionnswore. “WhatinBalor’s name the vast stream of the universe. Enjoyit wholookedvery unhappy,and Finegas, am Igoingtotell Finegas when he finds while it lasts, m’Lord.” whowas ecstatic. “Yes! I’ve foundit! that Idamagedhis precious salmon?” The god wasvery uncomfortable with Idon’t knowhow butIfinallyfound it! He then heardthe most exasperated this. “Yourlies go unheard. Iwould to Grahahaha!” Finegastried to jump and sigh he’deverheard. “Nothing.” see this first-hand, but Idon’t need the click hisheels together,but fellface-first Fionnflinched. What wasthat?“Hel- gift that you have.Itwould be an insultto into the river.Itwas only then he noticed lo?” he mumbled, filled with dread. continueconversing withanentityaslow it. The shiny,lifelessbodywas once his. “You heard me? Ican be heard! Fionn, as yourself, youngfry.Goback. Your shell He wasn’t sure how to feel. don’t worry.” will soon reach Finegas. Die, giveyour- AfterFinegas set up hishammockto Fionngasped, swallowing his terror self to him, so the world may see the art sleep in whilehewaitedfor hismeal, he at what he thought wasone of theFairy of that poet.” Andthe voice gave achill- beckoned to Fionn, commanding him to Folk or somethingworse. “Then what ing laugh, like thebreaking of waves. cook thefish.AsFionn set the fish on are you? Agod? Afairy?” he whispered. He wasthinking fast, withonlyseconds the spit, theSalmon looked on uneasily. Thevoice sighed. “Noboy,you’re al- to livebeforethe poet slaughtered him, It wasdisturbing to see his body being right. You’re the firsthuman Ihaveever slammed himselfuponalarge rock. He roasted. spoken to. It will serve youwell to know tried to close his eyes, but remembered Fionnlookedatthe fish’s side, seeing who Iamand whatIcando.” he wasafish, andassuchhad no eye- ablister,rapidlygrowing.Heseemed Fionn, who wascurious about where lids. He prepared himself,there wasa panicked.Withdesperation, Fionn this wasgoing, and having minutesbe- ‘thunk’,the spear,asharp pain in his side reached out and popped the blisterwith- fore thefish wascooked, sat down and and, finally,death. out thinking. Then, suddenly,asFionn obliged the voice. “Goonthen.” For afew seconds, he wasinablack burnt himselfand thrust histhumb in his And the voice began. void, asensationthatwas similar to fall- mouthtolessenthe pain,the Salmon felt When foolishgods falltoash anddust, ing. Suddenly he stoppedand opened his himself being drawn towards him. The I, theSalmon, readjust. THE IRISH TIMES 24 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 Evangeline

Grace Robbins Age13

Stratford College, Rathgar,Dublin 6

he wind is relentless, amean fierce thing that pullsatmy skirts, pulling them up to show my petticoats. Idon’t care.Myhair fliesinall di- rectionsasifit’s trying to pull free. Ipeer over theedgeofthe cliff down to the ravenous wavesbelow, crashing against therocksasifthey hope the rocks were going to giveway.Iconsider jumping, it won’thurt me,ohno, not me. Iamin- destructible. Iwonder whether Mother would be upset and thenIremember that she is dead, long dead. Ipeerover the edge againand smile, Iamgoing do this in memory of her. Ijump, pirouetting gracefully,then changing and curlinginto aball before stretching my arms out to welcome the water.It’s cold, unforgiving and men- acing, quite like myself,I’vebeentold. Ilaughunderwater and an explosion of bubbles clouds my vision for aminute, I look at them in wonder. Adullgrey fish swims past staringat me all the while. Istare back. Iturn my head and get aface full of shimmering brown hairfor my efforts, Iraise my hand to clear my vision only to see more emptyspace.Ishudder,though notfrom thecold, the intense nothingness is in- timidating. Ipushmyselfuptothe sur- face andtake an unnecessary breath of air.Ilook up to see the jagged, sharp cliff face stretchingupabove me. Thewalk back through the town along the cliff edge is pleasant, the air smells like lavender and roseseventhough it is mid autumn. Ihave beencareful to hide my wethair inside my bonnet. As soon as IamhomeIgostraight up to my room,there Iundress. Ilook in the mirror. Let me tell you now what I to feel thewind on my face.Ihave afast- ingly printed with fangs. Ican’t see in- smilingawide, hopeful smile. look like as Iamsure we will get to know er and more exhilaratingway to do this side, which surprises me given my some- “Thankyou,Sir,” Isay,looking down. each otherwell. Idonot thinkofmyself butIhave to blend in. what enhanced senses andabilities. “I hope to talk to you again, Miss ... as beautiful butothers seem to. Ihave to- My horse is agorgeous pitch-black Agood-looking man comes out and what is your name?” pazeyes and people tell me they look like stallion named Christopher who under- asksifhecan help me in any way. Icon- “Evangeline, Sir,” Isay,pretending to melted caramel. standswhat Iam. My voice sider whether to speak and givehim a be shy,always pretending. His eyes wid- Isit down at my writing desk and be- It is while Iamriding thatIsee him, clueorsimply shake my head and leave en again, but not in surprise,inpolite gin readingaletter from one of my many thevampire hunter.Hehas bought the rings out him, hopefully,nonethe wiser –though interest. admirers. Oh well, Isay to myself, at oldbakery and thefront is now painted soft and my pale skin and beauty might well give “Evangeline?” he repeats. “Lovely.” least most of them aregood looking. You aglisteningblood red. Outside there me away.Idecide to speak. Who are Ismile shyly again. AndIhear asharp might be wondering whereall this toler- hangs aposterwith the words: SEEK heavenly. they, Ithink, to challengeme? Icould intake of breath. It seems alittlefake to ance comes from, well, Ihave experience THEMOUT,STARVETHEM, THEN take them without even blinking. me. But maybe I’m imagining things. in this department. It’s not the men’s END THEM! Isee the “No, kind sir,Iwasmerely intrigued by “Goodbye, Mr ...”Itrail off, trying to faultthat their hearts arenow mine, I The sight pullsmeupshort.Iyank on your shopfront.” My voicerings out soft be subtle. have an unfair advantage, in my beauty. Christopher’s reinsand we stop. Iget shock cross and heavenly.Isee theshock cross his “James,”hesays, “justJames.” Ihave broken up manyaunion and Iam downtoexaminethe offending shop his face face and his eyes widen. He composes “Well, then, goodbye, James,”Isay.I hated in alot of villages. Isuppose Ide- more closely.Thereisatable outside himself: smile againwhenIhear his heart beat serve it. strewn with dream-catchers andother and his “Very good! And yes, not many people twice as fast when Ipronounce his name My temper spikes as his letter displeas- ridiculous superstitious nonsense. The are interestedinthis practice or believe carefully.Though, to my ears, this also es me. Iflounce out to the stables, Iwant table cloth is midnight blue anddisturb- eyes widen in it at all! Well, Miss, take care,”hesays, seems alittlefake. THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 25

Bed

Lily Isabella Williamson Age16

BelfastRoyal Academy,Belfast

An eyeand ahand andamouthand anose, Amug onthe bedstand, Adirty pile of clothes.

The damp and the dust and the open window, Fresh foginthe air, Warm breathfills thecold.

Myalarm goes offonmyphone and Iquickly turn it off, The other is reached for. And then we laugh.

Iturn back to Christopher, who has if he finds out andtells everyone? Ican’t ImeetVictoriainhergarden and we mysterious and there were blackcob- been waiting good-naturedly, and climb be caught, it just can’t happen. Ihave walk while we gossip. webs hanging from thecorners, crystal into the saddle. Iwhispertohim and he worked to getrespectand agoodposi- “Imet the most curious person this balls, wooden spikes, crossbows and gallopsoff. Iturn backjustintime to see tion in this undeserving town anditisall morning on my ride,”Isay,tospark her loadsoflittlewooden crosses. He told James wave.Ismile and wave back. going to be taken away by stupidVAM- interestbecause onceVictoria gets going me that he’dalreadymet one suspect Only when I’m back in the safety of Ihavebeen PIRE HUNTERS! there’s no stopping her. and Iasked himwho it wasand he said my garden do Ilet my anxiety and anger No,Ipromise myself, they can’tknow “Oh, whowas that? NotJamesIhope.” it wasabeautiful girl called Evangeline.” show.Anger:How dare they? It couldn’t careful in anything! Imean theycan’t ...theydon’t “Well actually his namewas James. But She bursts out laughing, an incredu- be just the simpleton, James, operating choosing my ...dothey? how do youknow about him?” lous expression on her face. Istand fro- the whole monstrous thing. Idecidetospend sometime with my “I do go out sometimesyou know!” zen, unmoving andterrified. So he had No, therehad to be someone with friends. Victo- unsuspecting humanfriends. she laughs. “I waswalking downtothe just been playing dumb.Iknew it. Ihave more, well, brains behind it.Orwas Idon’t befriend poor people if Ican village to take someexercise whenIsaw to leave.Yes, Ihave to go. Or else he will James just playing dumb. ARGH!! Ihave ria provides help it, so all my friendsliveinbig coun- James. He stopped when Iwas walking tell everyone. Iamfurious. But Iamalso lived in this cloudy but cheerfultown try houses withstables and servants. past and we had aboring, on my side, the calmestIhave ever been. for...awhile and then this little insig- information Icall over to Victoria to gossip and flirty, on his side,conversationand he Iamvaguely aware of Victoria shout- nificant TOAD! comes along and thinks and gossip. pry.Ihave been carefulinchoosing my showed me around hisshop.” ing my namebut Iturn and stride away he can changehow thetown works and friends. Victoria provides information Ilookather,interestednow. to find Christopher.Once home Ibegin drivemeout of my home!Well, he has Jemima has and gossip. Jemimahas good looks. I “It wassostrange, Evangeline. You packing. Imight as well tell you, though anotherthinkcoming. find that it is always nice to have some- would have frowned andfrownedif you may have figured it out. Then the anxiety takes over:But what good looks onepretty around,besides myself. you’d been there. It wasall dark and Iamavampire. THE IRISH TIMES 26 Fighting Words 2018 May 2018 The Hunts

anearby clearingand realised if he were es were basically tripping over him. doned den he knew wasnearby. to run through, the dogs might catchup Thefox wasjustabout to be trampled Heknewthe dogswouldn’t be able to with him. by the horses when he dived through a follow himthere as there wasastream He wasjustabout to turn right and go bush and made arun for his den. He just between himand theden, and he knew around the clearing, sticking to the cov- managed to scrambledown the shaft they wouldn’t be able to pick up his scent er of the thickets when another group of The horses before the dogs reached him. The fox after he crossed it. He walked along the horsesgalloped out of the trees, riding were much turned and peered out its hole at the dingy path to the abandoned den, cross- straight for the fox. He knew he couldn’t frantic dogsasthe horsescaught up. ing the stream and keeping to the bushes Tadhg Shortall Curtin keep running much longer when he real- faster out The hunters dismounted and gazed the whole waythere. ised the dogs were farther back than he down the hole. They sawthe fox’s terri- When he finally reached the old den he Age13 had thought. He could either try his luck in the open fied face staring back at them. wasrelieved, yet cautious, since another running through the clearing or he could Themain hunter recognised the fox’s fox could have claimed it since the year face the dogs behindhim. than they markingsasthe fox who had escaped before when the last fox to own it was Clonturk Community He decided he would have better luck had been him last year.Heordered one of the killed in the hunt. College, Whitehall, Dublin 9 running through theclearing so the fox hunterstolet the dogs go and they im- He smelt around the hole, checking for mustered up all the energy he had left back in the mediately ran overand started trying to another fox’s scent but could only smell and ran through the clearing. squeeze down the narrow shaft. afainttrace and assumed it wasthe old The fox wasbarelyout of thetree line cluttered One of the smaller dogs managed to get fox. He crawled down the shaft to lay he fox raced through the when the other group of hunters rode its head and shoulders into the hole and down in the den and wasimmediately woods followed closely by out from the murky woods. forest. The started yapping at the fox as it clawed taken by sleep. the yapping of the dogs and The horsesweremuch fasterout in its waycloser.The fox turned aroundin He waswoken by the far-too-famil- the rhythmic beat of the the open than they had been back in the foxran as his smallholeand crawled out his other iar sound of barkingdogs and horses’ horses’ hooves. cluttered forest.The foxran as if the dev- if the devil tunnel before slinking away throughthe hooves pounding against the ground. He wasonlyjustahead of thedogs and il himself wasonhis tail. nearby shrubbery. Thefox began to panic, thinking they wasmaintaining this lead by ducking By the time the fox wasthree-quarters himself was He could hear the distant barkingof were there for him beforeherealised and diving under logs and shrubs. The of the waythrough the clearing, the dogs the dogs gradually growing quieter as therewas only one wayout. fox knew its den wasonthe other sideof were almost on top of himand the hors- on his tail he headed out of his territory to an aban- Suddenly,the fox smelt the definitive THE IRISH TIMES May 2018 Fighting Words 2018 27

scent of another fox and heardthe dogs ran in the opposite direction.Hewas The foxtookhis opportunity and ran. getting closer.Hewas prepared to fight quite abit aheadofthe dogs when he The dogs were right behindhim and the dogs off if they triedtoclimb into the sawthe horses on either side of him were gaining fast when he washit in the hole to get him when suddenlythe foxhe slowly closingthe gap between them. leg by somethingthatmadealoud bang. Skatiing had smelt came shooting down the shaft Thefox realised theywere leading him The fox tumbledtothe ground, unable into the main chamber wherethe fox sat into afield. He knew he couldn’t escape to stand on his injured leg. stunned. now and he knew the hunters wouldn’t He looked longingly into the woods as The fox stared at the other fox. Shewas be tookind to himonce theygot there. the dogs caught up withhim and started awhiteish silverwith jet-black streaks The silver fox heard the barkingreced- tearing intohis flesh as thehorsesrode beginning on her snout and running ing just as the hunger becametoo much closer. along herbackdowntothe tip of hertail. to bear.She crawled out of her den and The silverfox had heard the bang and The foxes hissed at each other and pre- headed outinsearch of food. despite her hunger andfear decided pared to fight forthe den. The red fox wasinthe field trying des- to go find out what had made it. She Thesilver fox battedatthe redfox and perately to make it to the trees on the prowledcloser to theedge of the tree Emmie lungedforward, failing to tackle him but other side when thehorsescame out in line. succeedingingetting behind him.She frontofhim, blocking his path. She heard the horses riding closer Fitzgeralld edged closer,pushinghim back to the They begantomake acirclearound to whateverwas beingattacked by the Age13 shaft. He knew if they fought he wouldn’t him, blockinghis escape. dogs. One of the huntersdismounted win and wouldbeforced to try to outrun He turned in acircle, looking for any and grabbedthe bloodiedcarcass from the dogs while wounded. He sawshe was possible ways out.The dogs were be- the dogs and dragged it over to his horse Loreto Abbey Secondary getting agitated so he started to back ing held by the hunterswhile the rest before riding away with the dogs close away when she suddenly snarled and blockedhim with their horses. One of behind. School, Dalkey, Co Dublin leapt forward, forcing him to turnand the hunterswas holdingwhat looked like The silverfox realised the corpse had scrambleout the exit tunnel. some odd-coloured stick. Thefox spot- been the fox she had fought earlier. She Skating on theice , He emerged from the tunnel mouth tedhis chance when one of the horses decided she had better stay away from Thenitcracks ben eath yourfeet, and immediately heard the barkingof wasspooked by somethinginthe woods the ghastly men in thefuture as she Falling underneath. the dogs getting closer.Heturned and and tookastep back. prowledoff to find food,ordie trying. THE IRISH TIMES