Octopus Mind

Rachel Carney’s Octopus Mind plays with an array of rich and original metaphors to explore the intricacies of neurodiversity, perception and the human mind. These poems articulate the desire to understand and be understood by oneself and others in a complex world, reflecting on the poet’s experience of being diagnosed with dyspraxia as an adult.

Rachel Carney is a creative writing tutor and PhD student based in Cardiff. She is working in partnership with National Museum Wales to examine the use of ekphrastic poetry as a tool for visitor engagement in art museums. Originally from Sheffield, Rachel moved to Aberystwyth to complete a BA in 2003. Her poems, reviews and articles have been published in magazines including Poetry Wales, Under the Radar, Mslexia, Acumen and Envoi. She won the Pre-Raphaelite Society Poetry Competition in 2021.