in my mind one of the most beautiful places on earth, both physically and spiritually...
doesn't have to be poems btw. can be ramblings of any kind!! would be great to share some of them!!.....
Some have been written by friends and some by myself....
Significent for a variety of reasons but all are special...
I shall not go to Heaven when I die
But if they let me be,
I think I'll take the road I used to know
That goes by Shere-na-Garagh and the sea...
And all day breasting me the wind shal blow,
And I'll hear nothing but the peewits cry
and the waves talking in the sea below.
I think it will be winter when I die
For no one from the north could die in Spring...
and all the heather will be dead and grey
And the bog-cotton will have blown away,
And there wil be no yellow on the whin.
But I shall smell the peat,
And when it's almost dark I'll set my feet
Where a white track goes glimmering to the hills
And see far up a light...
Would you think that Heaven could be so small a thing
As a lit window on the hills at night?
And come in stumbling from the gloom
Half-blind, into a fire-lit room,
Turn, and see you ,
and there abide...
If it were true
And if i thought they would let me be
I almost wish it were tonight I died.
(Helen Waddell, 1889-1965)
Had I the Heaven's embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
(W.B.Yeats, 1865-1939)
In the distance is Benbulben, Co Sligo, beneath which, W.B.Yeats is buried...
One night I dreamt a beautiful dream
through which I lived half a lifetime...
You held out your hand and guided me through it,
Your smile led me on through those wonderous lands,
You entranced me with your celtic charms,
with words softly whispered that captured my soul...
We flew through the ages of heroes and warriors
Through the land of CuChullain who slaughtered his son....
Together we fought all your dragons and demons...
By your side, as your Emer, united we won...
But then the sky darkened, the thunder clouds crashed,
The gods you had angered drove a line through our love
Too close to the Sun, hand in hand, we had soared...
Our dreams were all shattered, too broken to mend...
One day I awoke from a nightmare....
walked away... and was free...
Where do all the dreams go?
( Helena C. Cook 1992)
I hate the thought of you using me
to gain sympathyfrom other women...
"she walked out on me, took my child,
there's no doubt I was a bit hard during the time we were together
but she blew everything out of proportion, exaggerated,
she was so dramatic you know"
God gave Moses ten commandments
I give you only one,
Thou shalt not take my name in vain...
Leave me out of your feel-sorry-for-me games...
( Helena C.Cook, 1993)
I had little money
But it was more than before...
I was often alone,
But not in fear...
The baby was difficult,
But not as difficult as him...
I can make a mess!
I can talk to my friends!
I control MY life
I make my own decisions
And I use make up for fun!
Not to cover bruises and feelings...
(Helena C.Cook 1993)
Those of you who have known me a long time know the importance of Women's Aid in my life....they gave me support and a roof over my head, at a pretty dismal time....and I then spent the next few years of my life involved with them on a voluntary basis...both in a refuge and also on their 24 hour helpline.....most of the time it was pretty traumatic...Northern Ireland seems to have it's own particular problems where domestic violence is concerned....anyway..someone from one of the refuges in Belfast wrote this poem...I love the humour that comes out of it...knowing how 'unhumourous' a situation it is to be in...
Many a face has passed through this place
And I have seen them all,
Through time, the privilege has been mine
To witness hearts poured out to others.
I've heard sad stories, mad stories, but most of all tragic stories
Where lives have been affected physically and mentally
Sad tormented heads have leant on me
And I have felt their salt wet tears
With just me here, they weep privately,
Releasing pent up emtions kept in for years
I've been stabbed and scratched and pushed around
But I don't mind you see,
I realise why, when tempers fly
They take their frustrations out on me.
I've been around when meals where shared and friends were made,
Advice given, a sympathetic ear lent,
Where confidences grew and their spirits grew stronger.
I watched as they prepared to leave
Needing my company no longer.
But I'll always be here if they need me
Just as long as I am able,
Silence and strength are my greatest attributes
for I am the refuge's Kitchen Table....
(Y.Mc.)
Belfast Women's Aid
Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation website
N.I. 24 hour helpline number: (028) 90331818
Women's Aid federation, England
National Domestic Violence helpline 0345 023468