Michael Foley is a Northern Irish author who lives in London and writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

His latest book, The Whole Thing, is a long poem weaving together autobiography, history, philosophy, science, Chinese paradox, quest sagas and detailed analysis of everyday activities like withdrawing cash from an ATM, eating five pieces of fruit and putting orange juice in the fridge.

Michael Longley on The Whole Thing:

‘What an extraordinary outburst – latter-day Lucretius – post-Brexit Pythagoras – Anaximenes’ Annex! Bewildered and enlightened I have been diving in and out of The Whole Thing – swept along by its momentum and refreshing myself at the arias that punctuate the swinging recitative – lyrical oases. There are many lovely lines throughout and stanzas submerged like rocks in the rapids.’

Follow THE WHOLE THING link above for an explanation of how this got written and an extract. It’s available for £10 from Mica Press at the whole thing (micapress.co.uk)