stoney grey soil by Patrick Kavanagh

Stony Grey Soil by




O stony grey soil of Monaghan
The laugh from my love you thieved;
You took the gay child of my passion
And gave me your clod-conceived.

You clogged the feet of my boyhood
And I believed that my stumble
Had the poise and stride of Apollo
And his voice my thick tongued mumble.

You told me the plough was immortal!
O green-life conquering plough!
The mandril stained, your coulter blunted
In the smooth lea-field of my brow.

You sang on steaming dunghills
A song of cowards' brood,
You perfumed my clothes with weasel itch,
You fed me on swinish food

You flung a ditch on my vision
Of beauty, love and truth.
O stony grey soil of Monaghan
You burgled my bank of youth!

Lost the long hours of pleasure
All the women that love young men.
O can I stilll stroke the monster's back
Or write with unpoisoned pen.

His name in these lonely verses
Or mention the dark fields where
The first gay flight of my lyric
Got caught in a peasant's prayer.

Mullahinsa, Drummeril, Black Shanco-
Wherever I turn I see
In the stony grey soil of Monaghan
Dead loves that were born for me.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• poetry

[monaghaned]

Horzebox feeezing on his stoney grey seat in mountjoy

[51pockets]

Brilliant, brilliant. I have not heard that since school and brings back the memories. thanks to u ill buy me some Kaavanagh

[Bydand22]

I'm going to get some Kavanagh.

[LiamLeprechaun]

Nice work.... My Grandfather was an Irish poet of sorts. Thank you for reminding me of him...

[geriliddy]

I enjoyed this and will be back for more. It's mid afternoon here so I want 2 walk 4 a while. C ya

[brychar66]

You read that beautifully Brendan - and with quiet intense passion. Wonderful!

[poulakidan]

great reading

[nitehawk57]

The writer is very creative and good at reflecting characters ect. Interesting poem and great reading!!!

[eddypuddy]

You should get paid for such work !!

very well expressed and your passion

I am begining to look forward to your vidos

T

[Kennybenny18]

I couldnt hear what he was saying but it was pretty funny lol.