#WeAreSwitzerland
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This poem by Julia Rose Lewis, designed by Norma Elzoghbi, can be found at Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium, 8 Serbert Road, London E7 0NQ and Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, London E15 1EL
See-saw
the waxing moon
it is not only the vaccination normal
that is a memento mori.
Also known as the old english bill
swinging
if following the science.
I know I want to outline fact after fact
to tend to the dedication networks
it is only the waning cake.
By Julia Rose Lewis
Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium, 8 Serbert Road, London E7 0NQ
Looking for a gift? You’ll find antiques and vintage objects, crafts, knitting, silversmith on site, handmade cards and all sorts of other treasures at Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium. Monday–Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Learn more: Facebook | Instagram
Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, London E15 1EL
There are ten libraries across Newham, each offering a range of services and community activities, as well as a fantastic selection of books and other reading material. Monday–Saturday, 9am to 8pm. Sunday, noon to 4pm. Learn more.
Poet's insights
Swiss Embassy: What were the ideas, feelings or experiences that led to the creation of your poem?
Julia Rose Lewis: I wanted to put my fascination with vaccines and the power they have to transform human societies into the poem. The development of the Covid-19 vaccines felt like a Star Trek episode where the doctors and scientists save everyone. There is a consensus now that vaccines turned the tide of the pandemic. The pandemic waves breaking on the shores of humanity and the vaccines as the moon influencing the tides.
Any thoughts on the final artwork, how your poem interacts with the design?
Typoetry has given me an excuse to visit Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium. I love vintage equipment and texts from the sciences. When I was younger, I worked in biology and chemistry laboratories, so there is a personal as well as intellectual curiosity at play. It is wonderful to see my hyper-contemporary work located in a place that will put it into conversation with history.
Julia Rose Lewis is the author of five poetry collections, the most recent of which is The Velvet Protocol co-authored with Nathan Hyland Walker.
Design by Norma Elzoghbi, Master Type Design, ECAL/University of Art and Design of Lausanne. Learn more: ECAL MATD | ECAL MATD Instagram | Norma Elzoghbi Instagram.
Photography by Calum Douglas
Typoetry is a showcase of poetry and Swiss graphic design. Around 30 works by poets from Switzerland, the UK and Newham are forming artistic trails in the London Borough of Newham from 20 May to 17 July 2022. Learn more.
