Helen Dunmore's family reveal poem written in the author's last days

Hold out your arms, written shortly before the author died, has been released by her family and is reproduced below

A poem written by Helen Dunmore in the final days of her life, which “glows with clear-eyed calm” in the face of death has been revealed by her publishers, a day after the 64-year-old writer died.

Hold out your arms was written on 25 May, and shows Dunmore facing the terminal stage of cancer with courage, resignation and calm. Poet Ruth Padel said: “This last poem, quietly sensual and subtle at the same time, luminous and utterly gentle, glows with clear-eyed calm and breathes secure love for her family for nature.”

Related: Helen Dunmore obituary

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