Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath!

Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath!

The prompt for last night's poetry session in An Tobar was Sylvia Plath and this is the one I went for. Said to be inspired by a Mike (Myron) Lots who stood her up on a date, it carries a different emotive charge than some of her later work. Published in the Smith Review where she attended college in Massachusetts in 1951 and later published in the Mademoiselle, a New York magazine in 1953, it was not included in any of her subsequent collections but was published as an afterword in The Bell Jar. I read somewhere that it was one of her favourite poems. Written in a villanelle form it is a beautiful poem.

Now I'm subject to correction on all of the above because previously the only poem I'd be familiar with was 'Daddy'. This was loaded by 'Illneas' and with thanks so a visit to youtube for the notes and comments and other info is a must.

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ February Meeting!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ February Meeting.

Folks,

February is racing to its conclusion but before it does we have our Poetry for Pleasure on Tuesday 27th at 7.30pm in An Tobar, Ardbraccan.

The suggested guiding theme is Sylvia Plath.

Patricia has kindly given us a  snippet to whet our appetite to explore the poetry of this significant poet.

 Sylvia Plath was an American poet born in 1932 in Massachusetts who is now and has been for decades regarded as a major poet whose work challenges us artistically and psychologically. Her fame and recognition came after her tragic death in 1963 when her husband Ted Hughes discovered the Ariel poems. 

Philip Larkin said of her poems "They exist in a high pitched ecstasy, like nothing else in Literature".

She said herself, "when my sleeping pill wears off I am up at about five, in my study, writing like mad, the blood jet is poetry, there is no stopping it" 

Her brilliance won her a Fullbright Scholarship which took her to Cambridge and it was in England that she married Ted Hughes. Seamus Heaney, Robert Lowell, John Osborne and Philip Larkin and many more literary figures paid homage to Plath and recognize the moral and psychological depths in her work.

 Can I again underline that any poem you wish to share with the group is most welcome.

 Carol and others will update us on their research on a possible visit to the Francis Ledwidge Cottage Museum 

 Looking forward to our poetry session next Tuesday evening 

 Jim.

Tel: 087 967 6728. 

 

 

 

"Kavanagh in Umbria", read by poet Macdara Woods.

"Kavanagh in Umbria" read by poet Macdara Woods.

A poet with some very strong local connections, Macdara Woods spent part of his childhood on his grandmother's farm in Co. Meath. Here he discusses his relationship with both Kavanagh  and Umbria. He was a member of Aosdána and married to the poet Eiléan Ni Chuilleanáin. A visit to Youtube and other sources with regard to his contributions and background is a must. The above video was loaded by the UCD Library Special Collections and with thanks.

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Change of Venue!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Change of Venue!

Hi All,

       The next meeting of the Meath Writers' Circle will take place in Trim Library on Thursday the 7^th of March at 6.30 pm to 7pm and we would especially welcome new members to the group. It is important to bring new energy and direction if we are to continue over the coming years so if you know anyone who would be interested in joining please bring them along. We have been in existence now for over thirty years and it would be nice to keep it going for another few. 

The facilities at Trim library are excellent and there is no charge for the meeting room. Also tea and coffee are available for those who require refreshment. (Also free!)  A tour of the new theatre may be possible as well. Please let your friends  know of the meeting date.

Finally a special note of thanks to Amanda Quigley of Trim Library for her assistance in the above.

                                                                                                                                                           All the best

                                                                                                                                                              Frank Murphy

* The time that is given above is just a 'drop in time'. The Library closes at 8.30 pm. So the finish time is about 8.15 pm. 

Mirror in February by Thomas Kinsella!

Mirror In February by Thomas Kinsella ~ Declan Walsh.

While surfing through the net and looking for something suitable for February or the beginning of the Celtic year I came across this video from 'Declan Walsh ~ My Poetry Readings' and I hope he will forgive my borrowing of his presentation. If you journey over to his site on Youtube there is further information and comments, Please check out. 

Thomas Kinsella : Born - May 4 1928.  Died - December 22 2021