In 2016, Aoife placed second in her category at the National Newspapers of Ireland Press Pass Awards. She was also shortlisted for the International IMBAS Short Story Competition in 2018 and was a highly commended entrant of the 2020 NYC Midnight Microfiction Competition. A lifelong reader and writer, Aoife is passionate about books, words and stories. Aoife is a former bookseller, having spent four years working in Waterstones Cork where she established the 9-12 Book Club and furthered her knowledge of the publishing and literature industry. She has also spent several years working with various festivals and arts organisations around Cork where she has fostered a deep love and appreciation for all things culture and creativity. She is thrilled and honoured to accept this scholarship and to begin this next step in her literary journey. She looks forward to developing her ideas and further honing her craft in the next few months. Below, we publish a beautiful piece of Aoife's, and one we are sure Eoin would have loved, "Spark". You can follow Aoife's progress over the summer on her instagram account @little.lost.starfish Spark This is what it feels like When you realise that you will Survive. It’s a firework imploding in your heart Sending electric little sparks From the split ends in your hair To the cracks in your nails In shades of gemstones, rubies and emeralds and sapphires It’s Japanese Knotwood Growing with your pulse And any attempt to cut it down Will only strengthen it. It’s coffee on a bitter day Or malt whiskey by a cosy fire. It’s the piercing powder snow, falling on your face And crushed shells between your toes It’s a breeze whispering its secrets to the leaves It’s a fire that flourishes without effort. It’s water that flows of its own free will. It’s the stars which remain still and yet They are burning And alive. Comments are closed.
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