It is that time of the year again and Seamus Hora shares a poem about the GAA, tradition and home. Seamus writes:
As the summer draws to a close in Ireland if there is one subject which creates more conversation than the weather it’s the GAA now that my adopted county has once again reached the semi finals in what promises to be the game of the year…
Who will meet Kerry in the final? The Mayo-Dublin semi-final match is next Sunday, August 30th @ 3:30pm at Croke Park, Dublin.
Seamus Hora shares another great poem with the readers of The Irish in America. We’ll let Seamus tell you what it’s about…
“It is difficult to believe that the following poem describes an Ireland of 40 years ago. I am delighted to have been a part of that era and feel I owe so much to those people. It is only as you grow older you appreciate the value of their advise and remember each individual sense of humour. Thumbing was the word used to describe a signal from people who waited on the road for a car to take them to their destination. Even in today’s modern times there is still no public transportation this route. The journey describes the 5 miles between Gorthaganny and Ballyhaunis.”
Quiet rural road in Ireland (source: http://www.shutterstock.com)
The Thumbers
The practice of thumbing in the seventies was rife
Cars they were scarce it was part of our life.
Friday is one of the day’s I recall
People seeking a lift; for post office to call.
First on the road, Summer Light. –Winter Dark.
Problem with hearing, this was Mrs Clarke.
The ball alley stood out on the hill up ahead
In winter this part of the road I did dread
A picturesque cottage my next port of call –
Where colourful roses adorned the wall.
Doors painted brightly, lime on each stone
Mod’ lady called Sally stood waiting alone
At this time the car was beginning to fill
A couple of regulars awaited me still.
Pat Hoban was next-with a strange point of view.
To let air circulate cut vent holes in his shoe
The three in the back were not very pleased –
Let in Mrs Ganley crush became squeeze
Sadly, the last one mobility did lack.
Surname was Kenny either Jimmy or Jack
Each day of the week things were much the same.
So many thumbers! Too numerous to name.
Some are still with us. Some laid to rest.
Relaxed eyes closed tightly – I can picture them best.
Seamus Hora
A bit about the poet…
Seamus Hora was born in Gorthaganny, County Roscommon. He has been employed by same company, Delaneys Ltd in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, for 44 years. He has lived in Ballyhaunis for the past 20 years. Seamus is married to Rosaleen and the couple has one daughter, Sandra. Seamus only recently started to write poetry. and he bases his poems on his life experience. He values feedback and would like to hear what people think of his poem. Please leave a comment!
For more poetry from Seamus, click here and here. Enjoy!
Seamus Hora is so kind as to share another lovely poem with The Irish in America. This time he remembers winter evenings of days gone by, the 1950s when all you needed was a radio for company and a turf fire for warmth. Seamus thought there might be a few TIIA readers out there who also remember the “old days” in rural Ireland and might care to reminisce along with him…
Photo courtesy of the fantastic blog – That Curious Love of Green – check it out by clicking on the image.
REMINISCING
Tonight I am reminiscing
I have turned back the years
Removed the locks from both the doors
And forgot about my fears.
Removed the TV from the shelf
And put it out of sight
Replaced it with a radio
Commentating on a fight.
Put the mobile phone on silent
Took the handset off the wall
Tonight-The only interruption
Neighbours foot steps in the hall.
Reached up to the fuse board
Reversed the on off handle
Got an empty bottle from the press
And placed in it a candle.
Replaced the coal and briquettes
With a seasoned wooden log
And a couple sods of well dried turf
Harvest from the local bog.
The lid from off the oven
I will heat until just right
Wrap in a woollen sweater
Place in the bed tonight.
Stare out through the window
Watch the snowflakes as they fall
Pretend its Christmas Eve again
And Santa’s sure to call.
Will I read a passage from the book
Or the rosary instead?
Then go outside – melt a little snow
Before I go to bed.
Seamus Hora
Click here to learn more about poet, Seamus Hora, and to read his poem on the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Last November 24th was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President of the United States John F. Kennedy. Many people took a moment on this anniversary to remember where they were when they heard the news.
We recently received an email from Seamus Hora from County Mayo in response to our blog post. He sent along a wonderful poem he wrote describing “where I was when I learned of the sad news of the tragic passing of President J F Kennedy.”
Where Were You
In my mind I see him clearly
As he stood inside the door
We sat and gazed in silence
At the sad news that he bore.
We all were fascinated
By this man from USA
Honoured by a visit.
From charismatic JFK
The worlds greatest speaker
Simple words-But oh so true.
For a country to be proud of
You must make an effort too.
He promised as he left us,
He would return again someday
But a sniper from a window
Sadly had the final say.
We had no television
But felt that we were there
For coverage was provided
By the great Michael O Hehir
I was playing bingo
The clock had just struck ten
The gambling house Mulrennans
The bearer; Our late friend Eamon Quinn
by: Seamus Hora
Seamus Hora was born in Gorthaganny, County Roscommon. He has been employed by same company, Delaneys Ltd in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, for 44 years. He has lived in Ballyhaunis for the past 20 years. Seamus is married to Rosaleen and the couple has one daughter, Sandra. Seamus only recently started to write poetry. and he bases his poems on his life experience. He values feedback and would like to hear what people think of his poem. Please leave a comment!
Thank you, Seamus, for sharing your poem! Stay tuned to the blog for my profile of Monica Wood, the author of the beautiful memoir, When We Were the Kennedys, later this month. You will also have the chance to win a copy of the book!
The Irish in America 