West of Ireland

Gold cherry

By marandina

Mon, 17 Jun 2024
  • 1528 reads
26 comments
 

Standing on a beach in County Kerry, Ireland - 2005.

 

West of Ireland

Standing at the far edge

of an ancient archipelago,

a desolate sentry ashore,

flesh, blood and memories

made under constellations,

uncounted grains of sand

washed by ebbing tides at

sunrise and moon-fall.

 

Curlew and cormorant cries

carry on wind-blown eddies,

memories of many departed,

echoes of émigré diaspora,

ghosts on silent beaches

of emerald lands fading,

indigo storms flicker with

insouciant reminiscence.

 

Wild sea corralled by cliffs

yearns for deeper oceans

and closing my eyes I see

a thousand miles of water,

my journey into imagination,

from the west coast of Ireland

lies the continent of America

where lost dreams shimmer.

 

Audio version at: https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685

 

Image free to use at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High_Tide-0524,_Dingle_Peninsula...

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The Curlew and cormorant cries can draw such musings. Some émigrés, must have found escape and a future, though with much hard work and trial probably.

Liked your drawing of the scene, especially Wild sea corralled by cliffs yearns for deeper oceans. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon.

A coastal scene isn't complete without the sound of birds gliding above, is it? 

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Beautifully evocative, and the last line really catches the heart. And, as always, the audio really draws you in.

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Jane. First audio in a while. Thanks for listening to it.

The poem is a fond reverie from a holiday in beautiful County Kerry many years ago. The West coast of Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have been.

 

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

I enjoyed listening to your poem Paul, and it brought to me the scene of the west coast.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading and listening, Dougie. Glad it took you there. The West coast of Ireland is a very special place.

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

You're most welcome Paul, and what a lovely place is the west coast. BTW, your audio has promted me to sign in to soundcloud.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, Eds.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A wonderful word picture - you took this reader right there!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks insert. A word picture.I hadn't thought of it like that but I guess it is.

 

Submitted by celticman on

you see what so many see, but differently. 1000 miles of water and America, no longer that far. No longer dreamt. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, CM. It seems a long way away when you are staring out to sea. The dreams dreamt are probably different now.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Evocative and haunting, this is our Facebook and X Pick of the Day! Please do share if you enjoy it too.

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you so much. That's a wonderful surprise!

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Congratulations! Another set of golden fruit well deserved

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you! Glad the audio didn't put people off :)

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

That's my favourite place, too :0) Thankyou for reminding me with this beautiful poem. How you link "Wild sea corralled by cliffs/yearns for deeper oceans" with people's need to leave, to be given the opportunity to succeed, evokes the bravery and strength of purpose that must have been needed for the terrible journey in the Pogues' song

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks Di. The West Coast of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands are the two most beautiful places I have been. Wild, rugged, alive, elemental.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

William Butler Yeats is alive and well and living in Northampton!

Grand words Paul.

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, T. Probably more Eddie than William but thank you!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Beautiful reminiscence of a special place Paul. Our memories of past experiences are what life is all about.

Lovely poem.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks Jenny. Hoping you are on the mend now.

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Enjoyed you reading as I read along with you. Glad I had the pleasure of reading this and have recently visited county Kerry. Would love to go back. Thanks for taking me back for a bit. tTe ending did touch the heart.

Rich

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Rich. You made me reminisce a little more about that trip. Drove to Holyhead in North Wales and caught a ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin. Then drove across Ireland and stayed near Annascaul most famous for its statue of Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer.

I remember vividly a trip to Dingle Bay and boarding a boat to spot dolphins, in particular Fungi. There's a bronze statue there now in honour of its most famous resident.

Visited Killarney. I think we saw "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Johnny Depp et al at a cinema there. It was so traditional that the movie was stopped half way through for viewers to go and get refreshments. An usher stood at the screen selling ice creams.

Ah, happy days :)

https://www.ireland.com/magazine/culture/tom-crean/

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

i went to that area too, only once, in 1988. A very beautiful coastline. You have described it very well, including the romantic, but very cruel also, migration from Ireland to many other parts of the world, and, in particular, to America! You remind me of the place, and more!

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David. Beautiful and cruel. Yes, maybe..