Almanac Poetry: Irish
‘The Bridge of Tears (Droichead na nDeor in Irish) in West Donegal, Ireland. Family and friends of emigrants would accompany them as far as the bridge before saying goodbye, while the emigrants would continue on to Derry Port.’ [Source: Wikimedia Commons.]
Irish
Through centuries
we’ve roved and raved
around the world,
and time,
ceaseless snow,
falls faintly
and faintly falls:
we are one,
we are one.
We are still one.
(Acknowledgement: published in Orpheus in the Undershirt, Ginninderra Press, 2018.)
Plaque near the Bridge of Tears, with an Irish language inscription which translates: ‘Family and friends of the person leaving for foreign lands would come this far. Here was the separation. This is the Bridge of Tears’. [Source: Wikipedia]
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His fifth book-length poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws ... I'm Feeling Too Indolent, was published in late 2023 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
I know the bridge Kevin. Spent quite some time sitting on a side wall and contemplating life. In fact I went out of my way to find it. No recollection of how I got out there, but it might be in my journal!
I haven’t been there in person, Dips – but it feels like a particularly interesting and moving place (and some of my ancestors may well have passed across this bridge). As I indicated above, this is where (as you’d have already known) many people leaving the country exchanged last goodbyes with family and friends who stayed – the emotional impact on both sides was such that it was like being at a funeral, as the parties concerned in most instances knew they would never see each other again.