Originally published in 1927, Pomes Penyeach is James Joyce's second and final collection of poetry, thirteen short, delicate pieces that reveal a lyrical, intimate side of the great modernist master.
Written over a span of two decades, these poems reflect themes of love, exile, memory, and artistic longing, offering a quiet counterpoint to the bold experimentation of Joyce's prose.
The title refers to the modest price Joyce intended for the collection, 'a penny each' and the poems within mirror that simplicity. They're brief, melodic, and charged with personal emotion.
While Joyce is best known for the linguistic complexity of Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, Pomes Penyeach distils his creative voice into moments of beauty and reflection. A rare glimpse into Joyce's more intimate and lyrical expressions, Pomes Penyeach is essential reading for poetry lovers and Joyce admirers alike.