IrelandGenWeb-L Archives

From: "Jean Rice" <>
Subject: [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY (contemp.) -- "Clearances II" -- Professorships Yale & Harvard
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:43:49 -0800

CLEARANCES
II

Polished linoleum shone there. Brass taps shone.
The china cups were very white and big --
An unchipped set with sugar bowl and jug.
The kettle whistled. Sandwich and tea scone
Were present and correct. In case it run,
The butter must be kept out of the sun.
And don't be dropping crumbs. Don't tilt your chair,
Don't reach. Don't point. Don't make noise when you stir.

It is Number 5, New Row, Land of the Dead,
Where grandfather is rising from his place
With spectacles pushed back on his clean bald head
To welcome a bewildered homing daughter
Before she even knocks. 'What's this? What's this?'
And they sit down in the shining room together.

-- Seamus Heaney

This thread:

• [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY -- "Mother of the Groom" (contemp.) by "Jean Rice" <>
  • [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY -- "Changes" -- (contemp.) -- Professorship at Harvard by "Jean Rice" <>
  • [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY - "Sunlight" (Mossbawn) -- Professorships Harvard and Oxford by "Jean Rice" <>
  • [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY -- "Clearances" - VII -- Professorships Yale & Harvard by "Jean Rice" <>
  • [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY -- "The Singer's House" (contemp.) by "Jean Rice" <>

  • [IGW] Derry's Seamus HEANEY (contemp.) -- "Clearances II" -- Professorships Yale & Harvard by "Jean Rice" <>