An old man on Clare Island years ago
Spoke of his relation with the land
He lived on a small holding
He knew the plants he grew
He knew his dogs and donkey
They were all his crew
And books he had a-plenty
To teach him history
And isolation taught him
Compassion and charity
And here are we in foolishness
Once again at war
Careless of our neighbours
Putin has gone too far
But all of us have roles to play
And not the blaming game
Put an end to fighting
Let’s begin again
On the night before he died
A final lesson greet
Jesus with a towel
Washes disciples’ feet
Drives it home with words so clear
Do you see what I have done
Give each other service now
Greet the rising sun
Brian Fahy
14 April 2022
+ On the RTE website today I came across an archive clip of Michael Joe O’Malley (1914-1988) and his life on Clare Island. He spoke about how a small farmer lives in relationship with his land, and has relationship with plants and animals: something that cannot happen when large farms are set us as businesses. He also spoke about how the quiet and silence can help us discover compassion and real charity.
Erris Poetry 