Cain by Luke Kennard

Cain

Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard is someone that you should not ignore. These poems are beautiful and poignant and thoughtful, and are dripping with wisdom and compassion. This is the story of someone facing mental collapse, and somehow coming terms with what has gone wrong in his life. It is worth reading because 'no man is an island' and this shows a way forward. Gloria Gaynor would be proud.

Extract
Cain takes me on a pilgrimage to a shrine. This place is amazing, he says You have to stand for a long time and then a man with a long beard and such love in his eyes they are all pupil, they burn like the furnace of an old hotel and you know that he sees exactly who and what you are, but loves you anyway, he anoints you with oil and then there is a feast and the women and the men are beautiful and they talk to you as if you are too.
Parallels
  • The Adoption Papers by Jackie Kay
  • Dirt by William Letford
  • Loop of Jade by Sarah Howe