Join us for the launch of Eloise Birtwhistle's poetry pamphlet, 'Splenectomy' (published by Stewed rhubarb Press), with support readings from Gentian Meikleham and Patrick Romero McCafferty.

Eloise Birtwhistle’s debut puts the body and its histories under a scrutinizing lens in a study of our physical and mental agency.  Using wonder, precision, and a distinct intimacy, this extended poem weaves ancient with modern; clinical with natural; human with non-human; deep sea with air.

“In Splenectomy, language glides as effortlessly as a body into salt waves. Eloise Birtwhistle crafts scenes that glimmer hypnotically from the depths of the sea to the anaesthetic fuzz of a hospital bed. The poems in this pamphlet are expansive and iridescent, full of bright breath and evocative gestures.” (Alycia Pirmohamed)

“From hospital ward to Sulu Sea; from Hippocrates to Joni Mitchell, Splenectomy is a deep dive into what it is to be cared for as a patient and what is required to care for our planet and its peoples. Eloise Birtwhistle is a young poet of considerable potential and remarkable vision.” (John Glenday)

Eloise Birtwhistle’s poetry has been published in journals including Gutter, SPAM Zine and New Writing Scotland. She won a 2023 New Writers Award and was a Finalist of the 2019 Mslexia and Poetry Book Society Women’s Poetry Prize. A previous recipient of a St Mungo’s Mirrorball Clydebuilt Apprenticeship, she now co-ordinates the Clydebuilt scheme. She has led creative writing workshops for organisations including Glasgow Women’s Library, Lothian Health Services Archive and the Inverclyde Homeless Centre. Eloise loves football and currently works for the LGBTQIA+ charity LEAP Sports Scotland.