Mamba | Winter Papers Volume 5

My story, Mamba, was published in Volume 5 of Winter Papers.

When I was ten I fell down hard and knocked my left hip out.

Mother said she could tell right away by the sound it made I’d never walk straight again.

The sound, and the sore pink stain I left on the ground when she lifted me.

Pink for pain.

I was three months in bed waiting on it to heal, and after that every time I took a step people cocked their ears - thought I’d started dancing to music they’d yet to hear.

RTÉ Arena presented a special live edition from Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin to celebrate the publication. Sean Rocks was joined by Kevin Barry and three of the contributors to Winter Papers 5 – the actor Siobhán McSweeney, AKA Sister Michael from Derry Girls, and the writers Sue Rainsford and Patrick Freyne, as well as special musical guest Junior Brother. Listen back here.