I have a map of Erris on my wall
My mother’s place land of her footfall
Bare feet that beat a daily path to school
Across the bog the river waters cool
The edge of the world was my mother’s home
A northwest corner surrounded by the foam
Atlantic rollers crashing onto land
Or gently creeping over Blacksod sand
Her mother came from Doolough by the sea
Where gentle views look out to Sauleen Quay
That once saw liners leave for the New York shore
Taking away poor emigrants poverty at the door
Childhood summers in my mother’s glen
Showed me a world so beautiful back then
To think the people left it all behind
Beauty can be barren and unkind
Blanket bog moorland mountain wild
All were there in Glencullen side
And family so warm and welcoming
The childhood of my life my joyful spring
Brian Fahy
30 December 2021
Erris Poetry 