IRISH-IN-UK-L Archives

From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] "Avoca,Co. Wicklow" -- C. DAY-LEWIS b. 1904 Co. Laois (Queen's Co.),Poet Laureate England
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:07:08 -0700

AVOCA, CO. WICKLOW

Step down from the bridge.
A spit of grass points
At the confluence.

Tree he sat beneath
Spoiled for souvenirs,
Looks numb as driftwood.

A pretty fellow
In stone broods over
The meeting waters.

His words came alive
But the music's flow,
Like weeds in water.

I recall my aunt, my second mother,
Singing Tom Moore at the old rectory
Harmonium -- "The Last Rose of Summer,"
"She is Far from the Land" -- her contralto
Scoop, the breathy organ, an oil lamp lit.
Words and tune met, flowed together in one
Melodious river. I drift calmly
Between its banks. Sweet vale of Avoca,
She is still young, I a child, and our two
Hearts like thy waters are mingled in peace.

Dublin tradesman's son,
Byron's friend, the pet
of Whig drawing-rooms.

Feted everywhere
Everywhere at home,
He sang of exile.

And death, tailoring
Country airs to a
Modish elegance.

Let the waters jig
In a light glitter,
So the source run full.

-- C. Day-Lewis, Anglo-Irish Poet Laureate of England

This thread:

• [Irish-in-UK] "Avoca,Co. Wicklow" -- C. DAY-LEWIS b. 1904 Co. Laois (Queen's Co.),Poet Laureate England by "Jean R." <>