Martha Sprackland

Martha Sprackland’s translation of the poetry and prose of John of the Cross, Dark Night, will be published in April.

Poem: ‘Dark Night’

Martha Sprackland, 2 April 2026

In the middle of a dark night,restless, with bright love burning– Oh, fortunate delight! –I slipped out, no one seeing,now that all my house lay sleeping.In darkness and secureI went by a secret stair, disguised– Oh, lucky venture! –in darkness and concealed,my house now being lulled to sleep.In that night of bliss and joyseen by none, in secret and quiet,with no clear...

Poem: ‘Newcomer’

Martha Sprackland, 6 December 2018

Новичóк

This is the deceptive border of the year – its crux – it has unique qualities. It can be disguised as a powder, as a precursor to pesticide.

The way to keep track of time is by the new buds blaring on the branch-ends acid-green and sleek as silk.

It’s sickening, their slick fecundity, their furtive spread. Hoist on the gold pins of their mount, their...

Poem: ‘Hunterian Triptych’

Martha Sprackland, 19 January 2017

The affinity between the Fox, Wolf, Jackal, and several varieties of the Dog, in their external form and several of their properties, is so striking, that they appear to be only varieties of the same species.

Dr John Hunter

i

This ghostly archive, lined with labelled jars is full of light. Each pickled thing bleached to ivory sleeps in a glass flask of formaldehyde, shelves of pale stars...

Poem: ‘‘Dooms’’

Martha Sprackland, 8 May 2014

for Roy ‘Dooms’ Sullivan (1912-83)

In ’42 the first bolt announced itself, cut a strip from his right leg and left him grappling the mud, smoke rising from the bloody cauter. The rain touched his face with the brief regret of someone who has knocked out their lover.

The second hauled him from the window of his truck, razed his hairline, and split his brow in factions...

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