People talk about the "luck of the Irish" but what about their skill at poetry, music and the other arts? Are the Irish the world's most poetic people?
Oh, I almost forgot: thanks for the dedication. Don't forget to include John Montague - born in Brooklyn, but as Irish as they come, and a truly great poet. In regard to his poems, I would recommend 'All Legendary Obstacles', 'Tides', 'The Same Gesture' and 'Like Dolmens Round My Childhood'.
Also, you might take a look at Michael Longley and Richard Murphy - two excellent poets by any standard.
In your introduction to this post, Mike, you asked a simple but very important question. You asked: 'Did Oscar Wilde write the most beautiful and touching poem in the English language, 'Requiesat'? My answer to that question is, 'Yes, he did.' And I think I may have expressed that view before. I also rate his 'Ballad of Reading Gaol' very highly indeed, because of its lyric qualities and its sheer musicality, despise it's grave subject matter. Wilde, in my view, was always an underrated poet, due mainly to his reputation both as a wit and as a playwright. Thanks for giving him a well-deserved mention.
Wilde was a major wit and a major talent. It's too bad his age was so intolerant, although we're seeing a resurgence here in the US with Trump and his ilk.
Yes, Michael. The Irish are the greatest poets. Plus, we can whip anybody in a fistfight! just give us a double whiskey, neat, beforehand — and we’ll prove it!
I was not aware of that, so thanks for the info. I have had some rather mystical experiences related to William Blake, and long after those experiences, I learned that my great-great-grandfather was a Blake. A relative said that she found evidence that we are related but I have never been able to find any direct confirmation. If such things interest you, I have an article on the connections, which are a bit uncanny.
Thanks, I'll check it out. When I learned that I had Blakes in my recent ancestry (great-great-grandfather), I did quite a bit of research and learned that there were Blakes who fought with William the Conqueror and were awarded substantial lands in England.
This a beautiful poem, written not with a pen, but with the heart and soul
I'm glad you liked it.
Oh, I almost forgot: thanks for the dedication. Don't forget to include John Montague - born in Brooklyn, but as Irish as they come, and a truly great poet. In regard to his poems, I would recommend 'All Legendary Obstacles', 'Tides', 'The Same Gesture' and 'Like Dolmens Round My Childhood'.
Also, you might take a look at Michael Longley and Richard Murphy - two excellent poets by any standard.
I will add your suggestions, thanks.
In your introduction to this post, Mike, you asked a simple but very important question. You asked: 'Did Oscar Wilde write the most beautiful and touching poem in the English language, 'Requiesat'? My answer to that question is, 'Yes, he did.' And I think I may have expressed that view before. I also rate his 'Ballad of Reading Gaol' very highly indeed, because of its lyric qualities and its sheer musicality, despise it's grave subject matter. Wilde, in my view, was always an underrated poet, due mainly to his reputation both as a wit and as a playwright. Thanks for giving him a well-deserved mention.
Wilde was a major wit and a major talent. It's too bad his age was so intolerant, although we're seeing a resurgence here in the US with Trump and his ilk.
Well, Trump is the old guy in the race now, and he doesn't seem to have any policies. Maybe he'll be consigned soon to the dustbin of history.
I hope so, and I'm doing everything I can to make it happen.
Some goddess dropped the gift of beauty and speech upon the Irish thousands of years ago.
My guess would be Brigid, the Irish goddess of poetry.
Must meet her 💚
That's true, Patris, I'm one of them, and still very pagan at heart.
All poets are pagans aren’t they?
Very pagan and very erotic, and always born or reborn at the wrong time in history.
Yes, Michael. The Irish are the greatest poets. Plus, we can whip anybody in a fistfight! just give us a double whiskey, neat, beforehand — and we’ll prove it!
I'll take your word for it, being a lover not a fighter! I wrote a poem about the Irish predilection for alcoholic beverages:
Erin
by Michael R. Burch
------------------------
All that’s left of Ireland is her hair—
bright carrot—and her milkmaid-pallid skin,
her brilliant air of cavalier despair,
her train of children—some conceived in sin,
the others to avoid it. For nowhere
is evidence of thought. Devout, pale, thin,
gay, nonchalant, all radiance. So fair!
How can men look upon her and not spin
like wobbly buoys churned by her skirt’s brisk air?
They buy. They grope to pat her nyloned shin,
to share her elevated, pale Despair ...
to find at last two spirits ease no one’s.
All that’s left of Ireland is the Care,
her impish grin, green eyes like leprechauns’.
My poem "Erin" was very loosely inspired by one of my Irish cousins who was a bit of a "wild child" in her youth.
Yes, this could be true. Such a small population, but it has given us many great poets and some of them Nobel winners.
A very good point, thanks.
Good ones. Delighted you included "Bagpipe Music."
That has long been one of my favorite poems. So good!
I was not aware of that, so thanks for the info. I have had some rather mystical experiences related to William Blake, and long after those experiences, I learned that my great-great-grandfather was a Blake. A relative said that she found evidence that we are related but I have never been able to find any direct confirmation. If such things interest you, I have an article on the connections, which are a bit uncanny.
Thanks, I'll check it out. When I learned that I had Blakes in my recent ancestry (great-great-grandfather), I did quite a bit of research and learned that there were Blakes who fought with William the Conqueror and were awarded substantial lands in England.
I found the intro and am reading it, thanks.