Poet Colette Bryce launched Poems for Patience at Cúirt International Festival of Literature on 22 April 2016

Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust celebrated the thirteenth series of Poems for Patience recently as part of Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Award winning poet Colette Bryce launched the series on the Arts Corridor of University Hospital Galway.
 
Poems for Patience is part of an ongoing initiative by Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust to introduce poetry into Galway University Hospitals. The poetry is circulated throughout the waiting areas of University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital. Colette Bryce introduced 22 poems she has selected, including works by poets Louis MacNeice, Jo Shapcott, Ian Duhig and Emily Dickinson.  
 
The concept of poems in waiting rooms was piloted in London in 1998, with poems commissioned on the theme of waiting.  Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust’s first series of Poems for Patience in partnership with Cúirt was launched at the festival in 2004.  The poems will be on display on the Arts Corridor at University Hospital Galway until May 25.
 
Poet Colette Bryce said: "People often turn to poetry at times of illness, loss, or recovery, even people who have little time for it in their day-to-day lives. Poetry seems to help, by filling our minds with unexpected images, by inviting us into a reflective space where words can offer some spiritual sustenance."
 
In conjunction with the Poems for Patience project, Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust has held an annual poetry competition since 2013. This year, the winning entry is Rachel Coventry’s poem ‘Afternoon Drinking in The Jolly Butchers’. Coventry was introduced as the 2016 winner by Kevin Higgins, Writer in Residence at Galway University Hospital Galway, and read her winning entry at the launch. The poem is included in the Arts Trust’s Poems for Patience poetry collection. 
 
Margaret Flannery, Arts Director at Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust said: "Poems for Patience is my favourite project of the year. I have the opportunity to co-ordinate a project for patients in our hospitals where we all get to discover and experience poetry.  I enjoy working with different editors each year as the selection is always fresh with a different perspective.  Colette Bryce has reminded us of some old favourites this year and introduced new poets to the collection. I am looking forward to hearing patients and staffs reactions.”
 
Last year’s participating poet Noel Crook, Texas stated: “What lovely work you do, giving poetry to those who might need it. A beautiful thing!”
 
Patients have stated;  '"It is great to be able to stop for a minute and forget everything and share in a silent way with the world."
 
"Wonderful collection to ease the mind of even the most inpatient patient!"
 
Photo caption:
Dani Gill with Maureen Kennelly, Colette Bryce and Margaret Flannery at Poems for Patience, University Hospital Galway.