Heartland

by Déirdre Orme

Michael: thy words etch upon my heart,
remembering a morning shared upon the Motte.
Salute thee, our great rebel, leader and statesman.
And to Kitty; you – her love, fair, right & honourable man.

Oh how you just longed to be here,
to climb the grassy bank and view the Inny, Derravaragh, Sheelin and Kinale.
Hope & vision hand in hand,
Ascending o’er daily toil to the Heartland.

Chapped lips craft thy inked words,
as my soul sheds a tear for our lost kindred worlds.
Sure, as every twilight tucks another passing day to sleep,
faithful promises you truly vowed to keep.

A Golden band for Kitty’s hand.
Freedom, peace & justice for our dear island.
Alas, loud the bell tolls, as seconds to attention stand still.
Ach, forever the wind shall whisper of your love,
o’er the Motte on Granard hill.

Reproduced with kind permission of the author. This poem was composed in a Poetry as Commemoration workshop held in association with Longford Archives at Edgeworthstown Community Library, in October 2023.  The workshop was led by writer Mary Melvin Geoghegan.