Apr. 29, 2021
It is Irish Poetry Day today. A blog is in order. The illustration portends news and news there is. In the previous blog, I was able to say that the I had submitted my dissertation for the Masters. Now I can say that my submission has been successful. Great relief and jubilation all round.
To add to the celebrations, I will be reading one of my poems on the Poetry Programme on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday 2nd May at 7.30 pm.
https://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-poetry-programme/
In addition, another of my poems will appear in Lifespan Vol 2, Growing Up which has just been published by Pure Slush.
As part of the Bealtaine Festival, The Bealtaine Writers responded to the Paula Meehan’s As if by Magic, the Book of the Festival. On 20th of May we will be reading those responses
prior to the interview with Paula and Mia Gallagher
Since I completed the course in March, I have taken to writing short pieces and seeing where they lead me. I was surprised to realise that my focus has been on my youngest grandchild. I suppose that may be because we spend every morning together. As usual, please read, enjoy, share and send me some feedback.
Margaret D
30.04.2021 09:20
Congrats Peter on all the achievements. I will definitely be listening on Sunday and I can't believe Dorothea is 2. A beautiful poem
David McDonough
30.04.2021 07:55
Congratulations on achieving your MA. Love the poems, will listen in on Sunday.
Clíodhna
29.04.2021 18:06
Sorry not to know this lovely little human...yet!
Triona Mc Morrow
29.04.2021 17:42
Congratulations Peter!! Love the poems about Dora.
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