A Lick and a Promise

By Imelda May

The full eBook version of A Lick and a Promise in fixed-layout format.
A Lick and a Promise is the debut poetry collection of one of Ireland's most famed female musicians, Imelda May.
Following the release of her first poetry EP Slip Of The Tongue in 2020, this collection contains 100 poems, including two each from both her father and young daughter. Using the themes of Breast, Below, Blood, Eyes, Tongue and Temple, the poems are written in May's absorbing, visceral style and encapsulate heartbreak, sex, nature and womanhood. Included in the collection is 'You Don't Get to be Racist and Irish', the powerful poem which was written in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and was recently used by Rethink Ireland campaign.
Pen and ink drawings by Imelda accompany selected poems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faber Music Limited
• Release date: Jan 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9780571591787

Book preview

BREAST

illustration

Home

‘What is love?’ you ask . . .

my head spins recalling

every song, story, words and

glorious things I ever heard

every cliché rings in my ears

like a bell announcing the birth

of a new day or the death of yesterday

depends on how you hear it

I haven’t a clue

so I ask love

‘what are you?’

love replies

‘can’t you feel me? I’m here

I’m the one holding your hand

reminding you not to forget me

I’m the warm feeling in your belly

when you don’t know why

I’m the ache to the core

when one someone sways

to the other side of a