Moon Sea Crossing: First Lines Poetry

A work of documentary poetry, Moon Sea Crossing traces one woman's journey through mental illness during the mid-nineteenth century.

Lynn Harrigan was intrigued when, upon researching the story of one Ann Hanan, she learned that the County Gaol functioned not only as a prison but also as a house of refuge. Ann Hanan's story stood out from the others because the cause of her illness was not clear. Nor were the reasons for her continued detention. The only "complaint" given was by her husband, that being that she was "filthy in her habits."

What Harrigan has done in this collection is bring Ann Hanan's story to life in a poignant and moving manner. The work likely will be compared to Margaret Atwood's "Susanna Moodie" poems.