Distant Parts

Distant Parts

Something

Orion's Belt/Google Images

For Handsel
She said
Proffering the gift.

A want maybe,
The baubles
Catching the Sun
The beads
Pressed.

Playthings...
Of your own choosing.
And the shrug
Up to you.
The whetstone
Sharpening the blade.
The wicker
Spread.

Traveller talk
Cant.

Nights, when
You could see
Orion's Belt.
Distant parts.

Distance though,
Would be no object
She said
Folding her stock.
A sharp eye
And you could
Hear the pin
Drop.

Frank Murphy.

Boyne Berries 17

Boyne Berries 17

Tomorrow night in the Castle Arch in Trim sees the launch of the 17th issue of the literary magazine "Boyne Berries". Now edited by Orla Fay the magazine was first published back in the spring of 2007 with Michael Farry in the chair and has provided an output for literary talent that is both local and from as far away as North America and indeed every other continent as well. The Boyne Writers group has picked up any number of awards over the years and the launch of these magazines always draws a fair old crowd so you're sure of a welcome if you happen to be in the Trim area and you never know you might come up with a poem or two. The launch time is 8pm and Adriene Leavy does the honours. Much more info over on Michael Farry's Blog. Link to the right!  

A Poem for a Sunday!

A Poem for a Sunday!

A House of Cards

Old graveyard Kilmessan

Easy pieces
All crumpled
Where we'd played.
Beginner's luck
We'd traded on
Them folding
Into place.
And hand in hand
The gospel was
The symmetry
Of pairs.
We cut along
The avenues
Down pyramid
And square.
And played a lot
Of patience then.
The cards laid out
So neat.
Coins and cups
And wands and words.
Like gypsies in the street.
Our swords turned
Into ploughshares and
Then ploughshares
Into spades.
We came within
An ace of it.
It all stacked up
So well.
A knave on
Every corner.
Then story after
Story fell.

Frank Murphy.

St Patricks Day 2011 - Riverdance Flashmob (Central Station, Sydney, Aus...

And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too!

Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition 2015

Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition 2015

Here's an interesting one if you have any poems that are of a religious or spiritual bent. The entry criteria states that the poems should appeal to those who would not necessarily describe themselves as "religious" or such. They are looking for poems from a range of faith traditions as well as from those struggling to discover a sense of the sacred but welcome poems of all styles. They will be judged solely on their merits as poetry. The judge for 2015 is Kim Moore whose first collection "The Art of Falling" will be published by Seren in April 2015. Lots of prizes won as well! You need to download an entry form and send it along with your poems and entry fee to: Poetry Competition, Manchester Cathedral,Victoria Street, M3 ISX.

Prizes/ First: £450 Manchester Cathedral Poet of the Year 2015

      Second: £250

         Third: £150

Winners and seven runners-up will be invited to read their poetry at the Manchester Literary Festival event in October. Info on the above also on Michael Farry's Blog a little further back. Link to the right: 

www.manchestercathedral.org/poetry  And good luck!

Poet Eavan Boland Reads 'Quarantine'

The poem chosen as "The Poem for Ireland" will be announced by President Michael D. Higgins in a special edition of The Works next Friday at 8.30 on RTE. Voting has now ended! The above poem is one of the finalists. My own favourite though would probably be "Dublin" by Louis MacNeice or failing that 1916 by William Butler Yeats but give the above a listen and see what you think. 

The Meath Writers' Circle/March 2015!

The Meath Writers' Circle/March 2015!

About eleven people turned out for last Thursday night's meeting of the Meath Writers' Circle in the Castle Hotel with one or two on other duties. Dates of the Children's writing contest not yet finalized but should be very soon. Some very good poems read and a great piece of prose from Sean Reilly and we even got a song or two. The next meeting is on Thursday the 2nd of April at 7.30 pm, so if you want to be entertained or have a short story (or long) or a poem you'd like to read why not drop in. More than welcome as they say.

The Golden Pen/ Poetry Competition 2015!

The Golden Pen/ Poetry Competition 2015!

From Google Images

The Golden Pen Poetry Competition has a closing date of April the 1st and are inviting poems of no greater than 70 lines. The first prize for the competition is €1000 and with consolation prizes as well and the winning entry to be published in the Festival magazine. There is a junior section as well for primary schools with a first prize of €50 and no word limit. Fees for entry are €5 per poem senior and €3 for juniors. Send your entries to: The Golden Pen, Gurteen, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and for further info contact: John Corbett at

 corword@yahoo.com Also info on the Poetry Ireland website. Link to the right. Best to check out! Lots of locals have done well in this.

RNLI Poetry Anthology!

RNLI Poetry Anthology!

Arklow/Google Images

The RNLI is inviting submissions for an upcoming poetry anthology on the theme of "The Sea" with a deadline of March the 15th for your material.. The anthology will feature poems from established and emerging writers from Ireland and further afield and will also feature photographs that capture the work undertaken by the brave men and women of the RNLI.. A team of published writers will select the poems that will feature in the anthology. It will be available for purchase in May of this year and all proceeds will go directly the RNLI. I came across this on the Emerging Writer blogsite which is always excellent for info on upcoming events. Link to the right! Submit your poems to thesea.rnli@gmail.com