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Lucy Heuschen

is a Pushcart-nominated poet and author of two chapbooks and a forthcoming collection. Lucy’s poems appear in Dream Catcher, The Orphic Review, Lighthouse, Obsessed With Pipework, The High Window, Skylight 47, The Storms and Ink Sweat & Tears. She was commended in the Poetry Society’s Stanza Competition 2024.

BlueSky: @PetiteCreature1.bsky.social
Website: http://www.lucyheuschen.co.uk

The Interview

1 How did you decide on what poems to send?

I wrote pieces especially for this brief rather than selecting from existing drafts. Since I worked closely with Alan on my chapbook “Loggerheads”, which won The Broken Spine Chapbook Competition and was published by The Broken Spine earlier in 2024, I had a good idea of the kind of work he might find appealing. Also, the brief Alan gave his poets for this project was brilliant. To be bold and uninhibited, to break the rules and explore what lies beyond – an irresistible invitation for any poet!

2 What poetic form did it take, and why?

I tend to write fairly short poems of one page or less. I enjoy form and do write poems in strict form sometimes, if that serves the poem. For this project, I focused on intensity and atmosphere over any particular form or structure.

3 How did you use the whiteness of the page in your poem?

I used the whiteness to convey the water in which the mysterious goddess Aerfen lurks. As the poem progresses, the water intrudes more, becoming more aggressive, consuming the human element (the words). The girl is stranded in the final lines – an offering of desperation into the whiteness / the water / the void.

4 How did you decide on the title of your poem?

That was easy, because it was all about the goddess Aerfen. She is the heart of it. It is said that in Roman times, people would make sacrifices to Aerfen in the River Dee ahead of a battle, hoping to ensure victory.
5 Imagery, or narrative. Which was more important to you in writing the poem?

The narrative of the poem is very simple, which enabled me to focus on strong word choices and imagery.

What do you think of where your poem is placed in the collection?

I wasn’t expecting my poem to be first up so it was a surprise when I opened the manuscript! It is an honour to kick off this remarkable project. I hope it is a striking introduction to the collection and sets the scene for the anthology.

7 Once they have read your poem, what do you hope the reader will leave with?

Maybe an appreciation of the dangers our girls and women still face as they move through this world of ours.