Sure'n begorrah, it's St Paddy's Day! Erin go Bragh!
The sketch above is a page from my Scottish grandmother's autograph book from 1900. She'd be happy that I'm "remembering my British heritage."
Happy St Patrick's Day to you all! After all, we all have a little Irish in us on March 17th, don't we?
And since I'm thinking about my own mother, and remembering her today, here is the wonderful Irish poet Seamus Heany reciting a moving poem about his mother:
It's a poignant recollection of a single, simple moment with her that stayed with him forever...
In Memoriam: M.K.H 1911-1984
When all the others were away at Mass
I was all hers as we peeled potatoes.
They broke the silence, let fall one by one,
Like solder weeping off the soldering iron:
Cold comforts set between us, things to share
Gleaming in a bucket of clean water.
And again let fall. Little pleasant splashes
From each other's work would bring us to our senses.
So while the parish priest at her bedside
Went hammer and tongs at the prayers for the dying
And some were responding and some crying
I remembered her head bent towards my head,
Her breath in mine, our fluent, dipping knives--
Never closer the whole rest of our lives.
15 comments:
I love Seamus Heany, and I do indeed feel lucky to be Irish,well half anyway, my father was Irish. Ireland is my spiritual home.
Have a fun St Patrick's day. x
What a special memento of your Grandmother. Very special. I love the green of Ireland but I guess they get lots of rain to keep it that green. My Moms Dad was Irish & Scottish. He died when I was 9 months old. Bummer.
Lovely.
This is really special ... the thoughts about your grandmother, the images, the poem.
To use Seamus Heany's line, today your post 'brings me to my senses' — all six of them!
There have been some great poets and writers come out of Ireland and Seamus is one of them.
I lived in Ireland for a year, Cork mostly and have good and bad memories of it. My children's father was Irish so their Celtic connection is strong in genetics anyway.
However, the romantic view of Ireland is not the reality of it, as with everywhere.
Thanks, all.
Jeanette, yes--very true: the Irish have a hard, sad history. I think the song "Kilkelly" that I posted some weeks ago is more true about Ireland and the sadness of its people.
I actually do think Heany's memory is sad, as it's the only closeness he evidently had with his mother--one single moment he remembers...
since you have some Irish blood in you...happy St P. day to you...may the memories always be dear to you!
Ronell
Lovely poem: I read it as contrasting intimate, practical family life with the imposed and communal rigors of religious observance ... it's clear which Heaney thought was most important!
Thanks, Ronell.
And Laura, I'd probably think those thoughts! I don't know Heany's feelings on religion, and knowing how adamant the Irish are about Catholicism, who knows, but that makes for a lovely reading, doesn't it!
LOL, yes, adamant in both directions!
thx u very much, i learn a lot
You're such an artist Sue!
I'm so glad you blog :)
xxxCarolg
Thank you everyone.
Carol, you're generous! Thanks!
Sue, the poem is very beautiful! Thanks for posting the youtube reading -- very moving and beautiful!
reminds us to treasure those seemingly simple moments with loved ones.
I'm so glad I read your blog -- even if it is a little late-- happy St. Pats day!!
Thanks, Judy! I love that poem. His poetry always touches me.
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