Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

[johncorrigan]

Seamus' birthday today. I was reading 'Electric Light' when I was out in the Hebrides this past week and was once again moved by this poem. I have often thought through the years about lost conversations I had with friends in the long ago...and, of course, Seamus covers it better than anyone.

The Gaeltacht

I wish, mon vieux, that you and Barlo and I
Were back in Rossguill, on the Atlantic Drive,
And that it was again nineteen-sixty
And Barlo was alive

And Paddy Joe and Chips Rafferty and Dicky
Were there talking Irish, for I believe
in that case Aiobheann Marren and Margaret Conway
And M. and M. and Deirdrie Morton and Niamh

Would be there as well. And it would be great too
If we could see ourselves, if the people we are now
Could hear what we were saying, and if this sonnet

In imitation of Dante's, where he's set free
In a boat with Lapo and Guido, with their girlfriends in it,
Could be the wildtrack of our gabble above the sea.

Seamus Heaney

[Padraig]

Seamus' birthday today. I was reading 'Electric Light' when I was out in the Hebrides this past week and was once again moved by this poem. I have often thought through the years about lost conversations I had with friends in the long ago...and, of course, Seamus covers it better than anyone.

The Gaeltacht

I wish, mon vieux, that you and Barlo and I
Were back in Rossguill, on the Atlantic Drive,
And that it was again ninetween-sixty
And Barlo was alive

And Paddy Joe and Chips Rafferty and Dicky
Were there talking Irish, for I believe
in that case Aiobheann Marren and Margaret Conway
And M. and M. and Deirdrie Morton and Niamh

Would be there as well. And it would be great too
If we could see ourselves, if the people we are now
Could hear what we were saying, and if this sonnet

In imitation of Dante's, where he's set free
In a boat with Lapo and Guido, with their girlfriends in it,
Could be the wildtrack of our gabble above the sea.

Seamus Heaney

There's little to add to this, John. Heaney simply says it so well. I bought The Divine Comedy on the strength of getting to know a bit about Lapo and Guido, who in the poem were 'mon vieux' and Heaney himself, I believe. I did not know any of the girls, but I can tell you that 'mon vieux' and Paddy Joe died some years ago, and Dicky died only last year. There are one or two survivors of them. All those young men and women in the poem belonged to the Irish-speaking enthusiasts long before the language became an issue. I knew many of them though I was an outsider then and only came to the language quite recently. They all went to the Donegal Gaeltacht during the summer holidays to improve their Irish, and to socialise with like minded people and the native speakers. Heaney obviously drew those days into his soul and, with Barlo as trigger, could bring them back to remind himself and us of youthful and passing joys. He got you too, John.

[DracoM]

[johncorrigan]

There's little to add to this, John. Heaney simply says it so well. I bought The Divine Comedy on the strength of getting to know a bit about Lapo and Guido, who in the poem were 'mon vieux' and Heaney himself, I believe. I did not know any of the girls, but I can tell you that 'mon vieux' and Paddy Joe died some years ago, and Dicky died only last year. There are one or two survivors of them. All those young men and women in the poem belonged to the Irish-speaking enthusiasts long before the language became an issue. I knew many of them though I was an outsider then and only came to the language quite recently. They all went to the Donegal Gaeltacht during the summer holidays to improve their Irish, and to socialise with like minded people and the native speakers. Heaney obviously drew those days into his soul and, with Barlo as trigger, could bring them back to remind himself and us of youthful and passing joys. He got you too, John.

He sure did, Padraig. Thanks for your terrific post which adds even more to the power of Heaney's words.

By the way, I notice that on the eve of his birthday the new PEN Heaney prize for poetry was launched which will aim to recognise outstanding poetry with a focus on social engagement.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024...0English%20PEN.

[johncorrigan]

Here's the link to a review of 'The Letters of Seamus Heaney' from the London Review of Books'.

https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n08/john-kerrigan/wobbly-i-am