A Lick and a Promise is the debut poetry collection of one of Ireland’s most famed female musicians, Imelda May.

Following the release of her first poetry EP Slip Of The Tongue in 2020, this collection contains 104 poems, including two each from both her father and young daughter. Using the themes of Breast, Below, Blood, Eyes, Tongue and Temple, the poems are written in May’s absorbing, visceral style and encapsulate heartbreak, sex, nature and womanhood. Included in the collection is ‘You Don’t Get to be Racist and Irish’, the powerful poem which was written in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and was recently used by Rethink Ireland campaign.

This paperback edition follows the hugely successful sold-out hardback edition and features a bespoke cover design illustration. Pen and ink drawings by Imelda accompany selected poems.