Hatched
‘Hatched’ era ’06- present time
‘Hatched’
Hatched is on of the most energetic, generous-hearted, sharp minded and inspiring books of poems I’ve read for quite a while. No matter at what page I open the book I find a love of life, an appreciation of life, a vibrant sense of privilege and gratitude.
(Abstract letter by Irish poet Brendan Kennelly)
Book launch Lismore Library, 6- ‘06
Droppping an audio book in to Corina back in 1999 I was horrified to see the wheelchair abandoned at the bottom of a steep staircase – Like Rapunzel incarcerated in her ivory tower Corina was trapped – trapped in a body unsure how to function – trapped – trapped full stop.
“Housebound but Homeless”
(Librarian Evelyn Coady)
‘Painting through the pain.’ Feelgood- Irish Examiner 6-‘06
Corina Duyn is living proof of the adage that you can’t keep a good woman down. In the last eight years, she has gone from the depths of crippling pain and tiredness, where she was unable to even crack an egg, to publishing her first book of poetry and visual imagery. Eggs feature a lot in Dutch-born Corina’s work. Her new book is called ‘Hatched’ and in one of her images, she has superimposed a photograph of her in the foetal position onto the image of a broken egg.
(Deirdre O’Flynn)
‘An uplifting and pleasurable experience.’ Munster Express 7-‘06
The physical effort to produce the materials for this book is a wonderful achievement and to look and read the contents is to be humbled by the drive and persistence to have a better quality of life, when taking a few upright steps is an achievement – great day for a walk – is not just a greeting but a celebration for the human spirit.
There is an isolating, loneliness in much of the imagery that hurts to read but as you progress beyond relapse and the panic button and sense of homelessness. Imagine asking in December 1999 for a gift of a bottle of seawater. Once you get beyond the sense of pain punching out through your own body it is a relief to get to December 2000 and enjoy a treat of:
Dark sky
One star
Beautiful moon.
Then you will appreciate the wonderful images of colourful kites and happy birds in golden cages.
It deserves an international audience and merits a place on best-seller lists.
(Liam Murphy)
‘An unplanned journey.’ Dungarvan Observer 7-‘06
“Creativity knows no boundaries”, Corina observes in February 2005. Therein lurks the ultimate irony of her life and of all our lives. Hatched tells us as much about ourselves as it does about Corina. Compelled to stop and stare, she didn’t find creativity in herself no more than she discovered the kindness and caring of her friends. They found her. They were there all along. The lesson of the deeply personal yet emphatic diary that is Hatched is that you don’t have to get ME to embrace them.
(Kristy Parker)
HATCHED, Interaction magazine by Action for ME. ‘06
I was recently sent a copy of a delightful book about M.E. which transcends the usual sufferers’ guide, confessional or the latest cure. In Hatched, Corina Duyn presents a gentle acceptance of her condition together with a creative strength that helps her to move on with her life despite the difficulties.
(John Eno-Daynes)
Editor’s note: I haven’t loved a book this much in years. Beautifully designed, this is something really special and uplifting. Dip into it during bleak moments and take away a thought, image or poem for the rest of the day.
HATCHED, Newsletter of Irish ME/CFS Support group ‘06
This is a book for inspiration for every M.E sufferer, Corina shows that it is possible to make the most of life, to use your talents and fulfil your dreams, but she also shows us so clearly what it really means to live with this terrible illness.
(Margaret Palmer)