'In these poems Morag Smith gives utterance to Cornish fore-mothers, the silenced exploited ‘Bal Maidens’ of 19th century tin mining. Her driven vehement pared-back lyricism also speaks to the widespread poverty of

present-day Cornwall that goes unnoticed by tourists. This is a poetry of witness. A forceful linguistic acuity brings to life her time spent living roadside as a New Traveller, with her young children. This is an original and brilliant debut.'

 

Penelope Shuttle