The poems in The Parchment Boat extend and develop Moya Cannon's highly praised collection, Oar.

They report the findings of her ruminations at archaeological sites, in her own garden, into customs, music and language itself. They continue their attention to the western seaboard of Ireland and several reflect experiences of a stay in Canada.

In many of them there is a kinship with mystery, in most of them a series of surprising images registers the rich yield of half-belief and faith. They recognise, and glory in, 'a pattern to life's pulls and draws'.