b'some new glimmer or twist you hadnt noticed in the background, somenew way of seeing its subject matter. Take, for example, the line fromCaoimhe MacCarthys poem Prologue I call a friend, and hold theirfamiliarcallerIDlikeanamulet.Ifwedissectintofeelingandexpression, the protection from contact with a friend is widely relatable,and the image of the phone as an amulet is surprising at first and thenslots into the minds image and makes perfect sense. Similarly, in Doireann Magee-Salawus poem This 5K the line I reallyliked how things would have been stands out to me. What could be moreuniversal than wishing for a present made impossible because of thepast? The poem places this idea in a context that is personal to the writer,allowing the reader to connect to the feeling they recognise, and thenenter into the world of the writer through the context of that feeling.This, to me, is the power of both poetry and stories.Mary Jean Chan, in describing poetry during difficult times, saidsomethingaboutthespecificityofpoetryallowsittocrystaliseexperience as if one were pausing time. This time can be returned toagain and again, as a pocket of experience that has been preserved.Derek Mahons poem Everything is Going to be Alright was a pocket ofreassurance many people turned to during lockdown. For writers, poetryalso serves as a way to gather painful experiences, express them, andtry to move on. Readers then may find solace in discovering thatexpression. I believe poetry has unlimited functions, because everythingthat poetry is comes back to humanity and connection. Even if a poemis describing disconnection there is someone out in the world who isconnecting to that feeling. As we evolve, our poetry evolves to matchthe world we live in and our reactions to that world. This year has beenan empty year, of sorts, and yet this emptiness created space for all sortsof imaginings and re-imaginings. I hope this anthology both conveysthe stories we have written about and inspires those yet to happen. Sinad OReilly | Deep Routes Poetry Exchange coordinatorApril 20217'