The Time has Come . . .
I did signal a year ago that I would end my working life and then mainstream the enterprise I have been mooching around for all of these years. And so, today is the day. Clarke Consulting and Training Associates closes its doors finally, and space is made for the scribbling, stumbling, bumbling screech of pen across paper. In addition, the two years of Masters in Creative Writing is rapidly coming to an end. From January next, I will be a writer in training, in decline, in murmuring, in elderly practice.
I want to say míle buíochas to everyone with whom I have had the honour and pleasure to work with during my career as an organisational psychologist. It has been a real blast over the past twenty-eight years. A special thanks to my family who supported me back to university all those years ago; to Dr Raymond Cadwell who nurtured me into the profession and to work colleagues and associates down the years; a huge thanks to all my clients who placed their trust in me to deliver the work, and, even, or maybe especially to the ones who fired me before completion; to my friends both new and long term for their constant encouragement and companionship.
I am delighted to give myself over to being a companion to Margot, grandparenting and chauffeuring, and continuing to read, write and share a love of poetry. So keep looking out for this space. It will go on.
what is there to do now
boast a successful life
or
act younger more foolish
make a pretence of hip
to
stave off invisibility
end a project with a flourish
and
rummage around the space
begin a new endeavour
that
keeps on keeping on
start into the next box set
sit
stare out the window all day
when not reading the dailies
as
did dad those years before
begin purposeful walking
which
was mam’s post work occupation
until she couldn’t
so
what is there to do
as an endgame
Phil Lynch
11.11.2020 14:12
Congrats Peter. Suitably reflective for the occasion. Best wishes for the new career!
Marguerite colgan
11.11.2020 12:31
Love poem, Peter.
"Tomorrow to fresh woods and pastures new"
Triona Mc Morrow
11.11.2020 12:01
Good luck Peter with your new career as a full time writer!! Triona
Susie Wilson
11.11.2020 10:48
Love this Peter. Proper punch last line. And the pausing but flowing on syntax is wicked. Xx
Anne G
11.11.2020 08:44
Now, Walk, laugh, love, drink, eat savouring the extension of time. Life is living the little things, morning sunrise, a child’s interpretation, a dew filled web...enjoy the moment my friend
Pearl
11.11.2020 06:15
Hitting home. Scary at 5am, gladly forgotten with the sun rising to another beautiful day
Phyl Herbert
10.11.2020 22:24
Love the poem Peter. Bon Voyage to this new chapter. There is a world elsewhere as William said. There comes a time when a line has to be drawn and a big or small leap will be made. Enjoy the journey.
Latest comments
25.11 | 22:15
Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.
07.11 | 11:14
Hi Peter,
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
06.11 | 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
06.11 | 15:59
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024