Skip to content

Poems on the Underground
  • Poems on the Underground
  • This Month’s Poems
  • Poem of the Week
  • Favourites
  • Index
  • About Us…
  • Menu

The Emigrant Irish

Eavan Boland, The Emigrant Irish Poems on the Underground 1992 ' Like oil lamps we put them out the back, of our houses, of our minds. We had lights better than, newer than and then a time came, this time and now we need them. Their dread, makeshift example. They would have thrived on our necessities. What they survived we could not even live. By their lights now it is time to imagine how they stood there, what they stood with, that their possessions may become our power: Cardboard. Iron. Their hardships parcelled in them. Patience. Fortitude. Long-suffering in the bruise-coloured dusk of the New World. And all the old songs. And nothing to lose.' .''

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp

Imtiaz Dharker Twitter

My Tweets

George Szirtes Twitter

My Tweets

Imtiaz Dharker FB

Imtiaz Dharker FB

George Szirtes FB

George Szirtes FB
A SiteOrigin Theme