Almost Bloomsday 2011 - by
No recompense for centuries of brutal disregard for language, land
and custom bred in myth and faith. Long-held loyalties that hold them
tethered to the core of nation.
Ireland
When the priest came knocking - by
for the third time we shut him outand he stood for a moment clutchinghis beads in the rectangular windowof the hospice door – The line betweencomedy and grief really is that thin –someone knew there wasn’t timefor another rosary because suddenlywe’re watching the life tip gentlyout of her like water from a cupand we […]
Soraidh Leibh - by
Soraidh leibh nuair thig oirbha dhol a Cheann Trá a sheasamhris an tAmhrán Náisiúnta ’s a dh’aideachadhgun do dh’fhàg sibh a’ Bhànrigh aig an taigh A bheil amhran agaibhs’dh’fhaighnich fear an taigheThaChan eilThaDè fear?‘Flower of Scotland’O chan eNach e?Dè eile?‘Soraidh Leibhis Oidhche Mhath Leibh’is mise còmh ribhle beag nàirena mo laighe leis a’ ghàire Cha […]
Columcille - by
Exile I am, for to the last, I carry in my
/ heart the oak groves of Derry with their
/ white angels…
In the Garden - by
i.m. my father
/
/ While I was shawling the strawberries
/ with fine green netting, you told me
/ about the cow that swam to the…
Milk - by
Your custom often
/ when the house was still
/
/ to brew milky coffee
/ and reminisce.
/
/ Child care experts would have frowned
/ on my late hours,
/
/ The bitter…
A Birl for Burns - by
From the start, Burns’ birl and rhythm,
/ That tongue the Ulster Scots brought wi’ them
/ And stick to still in County Antrim
/ Was…