By Anne Bronte [Novelist, poet, youngest member of the Bronte literary family and daughter of Patrick Brontë an Irish clergyman.]
A fine and subtle spirit dwells In every little flower, Each one its own sweet feeling breathes With more or less of power. There is a silent eloquence In every wild bluebell That fills my softened heart with bliss That words could never tell.
Yet I recall not long ago A bright and sunny day, ‘Twas when I led a toilsome life So many leagues away; That day along a sunny road All carelessly I strayed, Between two banks where smiling flowers Their varied hues displayed.
Before me rose a lofty hill, Behind me lay the sea, My heart was not so heavy then As it was wont to be. Less harassed than at other times I saw the scene was fair, And spoke and laughed to those around, As if I knew no care.
But when I looked upon the bank My wandering glances fell Upon a little trembling flower, A single sweet bluebell. Whence came that rising in my throat, That dimness in my eye? Why did those burning drops distil — Those bitter feelings rise?
O, that lone flower recalled to me My happy childhood’s hours When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts A prize among the flowers, Those sunny days of merriment When heart and soul were free, And when I dwelt with kindred hearts That loved and cared for me.
I had not then mid heartless crowds To spend a thankless life In seeking after others’ weal With anxious toil and strife. ‘Sad wanderer, weep those blissful times That never may return!’ The lovely floweret seemed to say, And thus it made me mourn. END
To celebrate Poetry Day Ireland 2021, here on Thurles.info I am delighted to share a beautiful poem, specially written for today by one of my favourite poets and a local author, Mr Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
In keeping with Poetry Day Ireland’s 2021 theme ‘New Directions: Maps and Journeys’, Tom’s poem ‘Save the Double Ditch’, describes the immeasurable sentimental and historic value of a local walkway that generations have journeyed along since it was mapped out during the Great Famine in 1846.
The title and final lines of this poem capture the essence of the threat currently facing the ‘Double Ditch’ in Thurles and our fervent hope that it’s fate will take a ‘New Direction’ (click HERE for more information about the history, hardship and threats faced by the Double Ditch Great Famine Mass Path).
Entrance to the 1846 ‘Double Ditch’, Manor Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Who now remembers the hallowed Double Ditch walk. That sacred path for Mass goers and lovers long ago, By our Great Famine folks created. From Manor Mill Road to Church and school in Thurles town. Where heritage and history court renown. In the sweet romance of yesterday, I held my lovely lady’s hand, As though she were the Royal Lady Thurles, now sleeping in St. Mary’s. Oh, the innocence and ignorance of those times Swearing love, devotion, adoration. Our hearts light, hopeful and glad, Mad-happy as the summer day was long Never to end. The birdsong enchanting all around, This sacred ground, this sacred youth and yearning. Wishing our joy unending, Our longings and love ascending, To the summer blue sky above, With the birds that sweetly sang in the fragrant summergrove. We strolled through the centuries on the way, Mocked the passing day, Oblivious of past hunger and the heartbreak, Whereby, in faith and togetherness, This Double Ditch was born, Defying death and desolation, This place, this sacred place, This pride of our proud nation. Speak softly of this precious place, That harbours all the jewels of a bejewelled race. Speak kindly of the memories of a time, When the eternal, ethereal spirit of this place was mine, And if perchance some ill your ways destroy, Then so shall end all gallantry and all our history die.
END.
Other ways to Get Involved with Poetry Day Ireland 2021.
We are sincerely grateful to Mr Tom Ryan for sharing his poem with us for Poetry Day Ireland 2021. Here are some of the many other ways you can get involved this year.
Events.
By clicking HERE you can search through the many virtual events taking place across the country. The events include workshops, performances and radio shows.
Competitions.
You can enter a poetry writing competition. Why not give it a try by clicking HERE.
Pocket Poems.
Poetry Ireland have compiled a collection of pocket poems under this year’s theme ‘New Directions: Maps and Journeys’. By clicking HERE you can read, enjoy and share these poems.
Poetry Day Ireland 2021 takes place on Thursday, April 29th. Given our nations rich poetic heritage, it is wonderful to see Poetry Ireland actively supporting schools to bring the joy and power of poetry into the lives of our pupils. This year’s Poetry Day Ireland theme is ‘New Directions: Maps and Journeys’ and Poetry Ireland have produced some excellent resources for both primary and secondary school teachers and pupils.
Primary School Resources for Poetry Day Ireland 2021.
Packed with 41 pages of poems and fun activities, this informative and engaging online resource encourages teachers and pupils to read, write, listen to, illustrate, perform, share and above all enjoy poetry. This Poetry Day Ireland resource is available to access HERE.
For pupils and teachers celebrating Poetry Day 2021 through Irish, leighleat.com aims to provide teachers, parents and children with digital resources to support them in the teaching and learning of Irish. You can access their digital resources for poetry by clicking HERE.
Secondary School Resources for Poetry Day Ireland 2021
For secondary school pupils, Poetry Ireland, and Irish Aid Worldwise Global Schools, have a development education creative writing pack. The pack provides a series of lesson plans that aim to enable secondary school pupils to explore numerous global issues. The pack is available to download HERE.
Why not share a favourite poem? No matter what class your child or pupil is in, why not take some time to share your favourite rhymes and poems using your chosen social media platform, on Poetry Day April 29th? There are so many great poems to choose from, and here shown above, on Thurles.info, I share the poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’, written and read by that late, great American poet Robert Lee Frost, (1874 – 1963).
Trócaire’s annual poetry competition, in association with Poetry Ireland, aims to raise awareness of important global issues, through the medium of poetry.
The competition is open to young and old and this year’s theme is ‘Pathways to Peace’. Entrants are encouraged to explore the theme from a local to global perspective.
The competition is free to enter and has the following six categories:
ADULT Published poets. Unpublished poets.
POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS Junior: 1st-3rd year Senior: Transition Year-Leaving Certificate
PRIMARY SHOOLS Junior: 3rd/4th Class Senior: 5th/6th Class
All winning entries will see their poems published in booklet form, with other prizes including a €300 cash prize, Kindle Fire Tablets, book tokens and visits to schools by authors.
Poems can be submitted in Irish or English and in written or spoken word format.
You can enter your poem online by clicking HERE or by post to the Poetry Ireland Centre (see video) at the address: Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition, Poetry Ireland, 11 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1 (D01 ND60).
The closing date for entries is Friday May 7th, 2021. Last year’s winning entries can be viewed by clicking HERE.
For more information visit poetryIreland.ie by clicking HERE.
National events as part of Poetry Day Ireland 2021 (click HERE) celebrations take place on Thursday 29th April.
Fired from the ramp of a cardboard match box Two copper coins spun and twirled. “Head or harp ?” Like gold in the morning sun of a Sunday Before Last Mass. In the school in the Derheen Lane, Or above on the Road of the Saints. Young Sunday – suited speculators, Their oily hair combed slickly back, Like the guys in the Fifties James Dean movie, Gazed at the spins of fortune, On which their pence and tanners lay. And maybe cinema matinee money too. The stern faced teller, The accounting man of the school, Gathered the profits of the Sabbath early. And who would argue the toss. END
Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
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