‘Stick to the books,’ his father said
‘It’s the only way forward,’
John did precisely that
Got his education
And home he came
From travels abroad
To be a leader for his nation
Books hold words
Convey ideas
Give us consolation
Inspire us in the way to go
Establish us in our station
We share the world with one another
Let the sunshine in
Brighten our horizons
Calm the disturbing din
So Jesus in his preaching
Broke the word for men
Men who had no books to read
No matter for the pen
Depending on what others said
Rumour local talk
What wonder to hear a speaker
His eloquence was sought
And I have books beside me now
To feed and feast my mind
To occupy the quiet hours
To help me to be kind
To hear the words that others speak
To listen to the story
To help to understand the world
To rescue it for glory
Brian Fahy
6 February 2022
+ John Hume’s father, in Derry, advised his son to avoid sectarian gatherings and to pursue his education. Out of that pathway a great statesman of Ireland blossomed.
Erris Poetry 