Martha Sprackland
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marrrtha.bsky.social
Martha Sprackland
@marrrtha.bsky.social
1.2K followers 780 following 26 posts
Editor, writer and translator. The Poems of St John of the Cross forthcoming (Penguin Classics, 2026)

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462137/dark-night-by-cross-st-john-of-the/9780241699294

marthasprackland.co.uk
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Martha Sprackland @marrrtha.bsky.social · 13d
Three years of work on this — my new translation of the poetry and selected prose of sixteen-century Spanish mystic St John of the Cross for Penguin Classics.

•

You can preorder it via all the usual bookshops or links here. www.penguin.co.uk/books/462137...
Penguin Books webpage showing the cover of Dark Night: Poetry and Selected Prose of St John of the Cross, with a cover detail by El Greco. A quote from one of the poems: ‘Oh living flame of love, how tenderly you scorch me’ The blurb text: The poetry of the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, St John of the Cross, has inspired and consoled for hundreds of years, influencing writers from James Joyce to Seamus Heaney, Geoffrey Hill to T.S. Eliot. This new edition of his essential works, in a sensitive and luminous translation by Martha Sprackland, gathers John of the Cross’s complete poems and a selection of his prose, including from his extended commentary on the poem ‘Dark Night’. In his immediate, sensual writing, we see a soul searching for meaning and union with the divine: both meek and bold, deserving and undeserving, oscillating between light and dark, soaring and falling, desperation and salvation. Dark Night gives us a picture of faith at once confronting and inspiriting, and of the power of words as a means of spiritual transcendence. Translated by Martha Sprackland, with an introduction by Colin Thompson.
marrrtha.bsky.social
Three years of work on this — my new translation of the poetry and selected prose of sixteen-century Spanish mystic St John of the Cross for Penguin Classics.

•

You can preorder it via all the usual bookshops or links here. www.penguin.co.uk/books/462137...
Penguin Books webpage showing the cover of Dark Night: Poetry and Selected Prose of St John of the Cross, with a cover detail by El Greco. A quote from one of the poems: ‘Oh living flame of love, how tenderly you scorch me’ The blurb text: The poetry of the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, St John of the Cross, has inspired and consoled for hundreds of years, influencing writers from James Joyce to Seamus Heaney, Geoffrey Hill to T.S. Eliot. This new edition of his essential works, in a sensitive and luminous translation by Martha Sprackland, gathers John of the Cross’s complete poems and a selection of his prose, including from his extended commentary on the poem ‘Dark Night’. In his immediate, sensual writing, we see a soul searching for meaning and union with the divine: both meek and bold, deserving and undeserving, oscillating between light and dark, soaring and falling, desperation and salvation. Dark Night gives us a picture of faith at once confronting and inspiriting, and of the power of words as a means of spiritual transcendence. Translated by Martha Sprackland, with an introduction by Colin Thompson.
October 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
marrrtha.bsky.social
Little piece on darkness by Sprackland mère, ahead of the publication of her new book, Night Vision.

www.penguin.co.uk/books/453167...

@theobserveruk.bsky.social
Text of article in today’s Observer, headlined ‘Our fear of the dark is built in — but we need it.’ Continuation of article Cover of ‘Night Vision: In search of the true dark’ by Jean Sprackland
October 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
marrrtha.bsky.social
Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking an Editorial Assistant (paid) to support the development of a new anthology on the influential British photographer and activist, Jo Spence.

cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/edit...
Editorial Assistant (2279) - Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck
cis7.bbk.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
marrrtha.bsky.social
A new partnership with BBC Writers to deliver a six-month mentorship scheme for emerging Muslim writers. Four mentees will benefit from tailored guidance, industry insight, and one-to-one support from experienced writers.

ukmuslimfilm.org/bbc-writers-...
BBC Writers Partnership: Supporting Emerging Muslim Writers – UK Muslim Film
ukmuslimfilm.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
marrrtha.bsky.social
If you are tall enough to see over the paywall, my story 'Bee Box' is up on the @irishtimes.com now, after coming second in @themothmagazine.bsky.social The Moth Short Story Prize.

www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Bee Box by Martha Sprackland
The runner-up in this year’s Moth Short Story Prize, chosen by judge Evie Wyld
www.irishtimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
premthakker.bsky.social
Barely an hour ago, Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif warned us all:

“If this madness doesn’t end, Gaza will be reduced to ruins, its people’s voices silenced, their faces erased — and history will remember you as silent witnesses to a genocide you chose not to stop.”

Israel just killed him.
August 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
mommunism.bsky.social
Anas Al Sharif had these words to publish if he was martyred which he was tonight as Israel starts the invasion of Gaza City
Martyrs of Gaza @GazaMartyrs This is my will and my final message. If my words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you. God knows that I have given all my effort and strength to be a support and a voice for my people since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that God would grant me life to return with my family and loved ones to our original town of Ashkelon (Al-Majdal), occupied land. But God's will was swifter, and His decree is binding. I lived pain in all its details, tasted grief and loss repeatedly, yet I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is—-without distortion or falsification— hoping God would bear witness against those who remained silent, those who accepted our killing, those who besieged our breaths, and whose hearts were not moved by the shattered bodies of our children and women, nor did they stop the massacre our people have faced for more than a year and a half. I entrust you with Palestine, the jewel of the Muslim world and the pulse of every free heart in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its innocent children who were not granted the time to dream or live in safety and peace. Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart, their remains scattered on the walls. l urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward liberating the land and the people until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland. I entrust you with my family. I entrust you with the apple of my eye, my beloved daughter, Sham, whom fate did not allow me to see grow as I dreamed. I entrust you with my dear son, Salah, whom I wished to support and accompany until he grew strong, carrying my burden and continuing the mission. I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose prayers were the reason I reached where I did. Her supplications were my fortress, and her light my path. I pray God to ease her heart and reward her abundantly on my behalf. I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah Bayan, from whom war separated us for long days and months, but who remained faithful, steadfast like an olive tree trunk that never bends, patient and devout, carrying the trust in my absence with strength and faith. I urge you to gather around them and be their support after God Almighty. If I die, I die steadfast on my principles, bearing witness to God that I am satisfied with His decree, believing in meeting Him, and certain that what is with God is better and everlasting. O God, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path to freedom for my people and family. Forgive me if I fell short, and pray for me mercy, for I have remained true to the covenant, never changing or betraying it. Do not forget Gaza... And do not forget me in your good prayers for forgiveness and acceptance. Anas Jamal Al-Sharif 06.04.2025 This is what Anas ordered to be published upon his martyrdom.
August 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
ashtonpittman.bsky.social
The five brave Palestinian journalists whom Israel targeted and killed today (left-right):
-Anas al-Sharif (correspondent)
-Mohammed Qreiqeh (correspondent) -Ibrahim Zaher (camera operator)
-Muhammad Al-Khalidi (photojournalist)
-Mohammed Noufal (camera operator)
-Moamen Aliwa (camera operator)
a young man holds a young boy and girl in front of rubble a man holds a microphone with an al jazeera logo while wearing a vest with the word press on it a young man in glasses wearing a protective vest with the word press on it leans against a car a collage shows three young men smiling
August 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
juliametraux.bsky.social
You only kill journalists when you want to hide what you're doing.
chadbourn.bsky.social Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · Aug 10
BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen has confirmed that the entire Al Jazeera team in Gaza City has been killed.
August 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
mommunism.bsky.social
Little baby Hala needs a better world
April 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
indrapramitdas.bsky.social
Again, if you're suspicious that Palestinian accounts are spam, ignore/mute/block/don't donate. By reporting, you are risking hindering real people undergoing an active genocide from surviving, escaping, keeping their families alive. You are doing evil work, as y/our governments starve/kill them.
April 12, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
sandeepbak.bsky.social
Please share in your networks. Goldsmiths, UoL are offering 5 scholarships in Undergrad & MA courses for Palestinian students. The scholarships include: tuition fee waiver, £19,550 allowance, return trip to & from the UK.
Eligibility details & further info at link👇🏽
www.gold.ac.uk/fees-funding...
Palestinian Scholarship
www.gold.ac.uk
April 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
hala55.bsky.social
Think of this child—she has endured unimaginable pain.
She lost her home, her toys, and her entire childhood. The least we can do is give her a chance at life, save her family, and bring back her smile.
She is counting on you

www.gofundme.com/f/npjax3-hel...
March 24, 2025 at 10:21 AM
marrrtha.bsky.social
Quorabouros
Screenshot of an email preview from Quora, reading: ‘¿Cómo se dice "cómo se dice" en inglés? Quieres saber cómo se dice "cómo se dice" en inglés? ¡Es una frase…’
April 1, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
lastpositivist.bsky.social
Painfully on the nose moment. In the train station shop getting my morning coffee. On the radio I'm hearing about benefits cuts, one of the newspapers headlines is about Trump's tariffs hitting us in the UK... and the Sun's headline is about how "dinghy refugees" are "taking us for fools".
April 1, 2025 at 5:07 AM
marrrtha.bsky.social
Please support Farah and Mohanad, if you can.
March 31, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Reposted by Martha Sprackland
jamalzuhir.bsky.social
Eid mubark to you my friends and we are just 350£ away, donate if u can or repost help me rebuild our life
All your donations and reposts are appreciated

gofund.me/a625d5ba
March 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM