The Stairwell

Michael Longley's "The Stairwell" is a collection of poems published in 2014. The book contains reflections on birth, death, war, and nature across two mirrored sections. The poems draw connections between the past and present through references to classical mythology, World War I, and personal memories. Longley explores his relationships with family members, particularly focusing on the loss of his twin brother and the birth of his granddaughter. The collection brings together themes of mortality and regeneration, demonstrating how life continues in cycles of endings and beginnings. Through observations of the natural world and human connections, Longley examines the spaces between presence and absence.

Readers appreciate Longley's elegiac poems about aging, loss, and nature in The Stairwell, with particular focus on his reflections after his twin brother's death. Multiple reviewers noted the collection's emotional impact while maintaining restraint in its language. Readers highlighted: - Precise imagery of the natural world - Balance of personal grief with broader themes - Short, concentrated poems that reward rereading - Connection to classical literature and mythology Some readers found: - Certain poems too sparse or cryptic - References to Irish politics/history unclear without context - Structure occasionally disjointed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (46 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.8/5 (6 reviews) From reviews: "The poems hit with startling force despite their brevity" - Goodreads reviewer "His nature observations feel both ancient and immediate" - Amazon UK review "A few poems seem unfinished or fragmentary" - Poetry Foundation commenter

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🌟 Michael Longley wrote "The Stairwell" in memory of his twin brother Peter, crafting a moving elegy that forms the heart of the collection. 🌿 The collection draws deeply from nature, particularly the flora and fauna of Western Ireland, where Longley spent much time writing and observing. 📚 Published in 2014 when Longley was 75, the book won the Griffin Poetry Prize, one of poetry's most prestigious international awards. 🎭 The poems interweave classical references, particularly from Homer's works, with intimate personal memories and observations of contemporary life. 🕊️ Longley wrote many of the poems during his time as Ireland's Professor of Poetry (2007-2010), a position he used to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland through verse.