Salacia

'I am particularly struck by the musicality of Salacia, where the poems chime and echo with the enchantment of spells. The poems are allusive with Plathean bell jars and "sticky pearls," yet the subject matter is usually rooted in Welsh wild spaces and mythologies. Ultimately, Salacia coaxes sublimity from pain, reminding us that though we may be hurt, we can still be powerful.' – Zoë Brigley

'A unique and urgent voice plotted against a rich lyricism. These poems are visceral, inventive, with every riff packed to the brim with awe.' – Rhian Edwards

'Mari Ellis Dunning writes with honesty about mental disorder and the intricacies of depression, but her poetry is charged by the body and the senses. This tension between mind and matter gives the poems a dark energy.' – Anna Lewis

This accomplished debut poetry collection is a contemporary reflection on mental health, mythology, love and loss.

In these poems, women raise their voices and subvert the age-old tales told on their behalf: Roman goddess Salacia explores her tumultuous relationship with Neptune; Gwen Ellis, the first woman hung for witchcraft in Wales, reflects on her impending fate; a Queen bee is usurped by her daughter and depression visits in the emaciated form of an old and forgotten friend.

Salacia offers a stark and honest exploration of human nature and our fallibility, where the dark and sombre moments in life are as precious as the uplifting ones.


Mari Ellis Dunning is a writer of poetry and fiction. Her debut children’s book was launched at the Abergavenny Writing Festival in 2016. Mari has been a runner up in the Robin Reeves Prize and twice in The Welsh Poetry Competition; she has been both first place winner and highly commended in the Terry Hetherington Young Writers' Award, has been the winner of Seren’s annual Christmas Poetry Competition, and has work published in several journals and anthologies. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and currently lives on the coast of Swansea.

„Ma frapeaza in mod deosebit muzicalitatea lui Salacia, unde poeziile suna si rasuna cu descantecul vrajilor. Poeziile sunt aluzive cu borcane cu clopote Plathean si „perle lipicioase”, totusi subiectul este de obicei inradacinat in spatiile salbatice si mitologii galeze.