The Villanelle

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Refrain 1 (A1) Line 2 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 4 (a) Line 5 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Line 7 (a) Line 8 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 10 (a) Line 11 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Line 13 (a) Line 14 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 16 (a) Line 17 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Refrain 2 (A2)

Tom Dredge Launch

What is the Path of Progress? If you want to know maybe you should read Tom Dredge's chapbook. It's the fourth chapbook in the Boyne Writer's Group chapbook series.  I intend to read it from front to back later. Well done Tom and The Boyne Writers. I never say it really but I'm honoured to be part of such a progressive, industrious and supportive group. 

Tom is pictured below (middle) with Michael Farry (left) & Paddy Smith. I've also included a picture of myself & James  Lawless who attended and read a chapter from one of his books in the open mic. There's a lot more to see on The Boyne Writers Facebook page. I'm sure Michael Farry & Frank Murphy will blog about the night too. It was great to see Brendan Carey Kinnane back. He read in the open mic too. 

Venus

I think this photo was taken on November, 6th, but it's very like what I saw leaving work this evening except the moon had waxed.  Venus sat just above the horizon beneath the constellation of Sagittarius in the Milky Way Galaxy.  The older I get the more important this dark time of the year becomes, I think.

I've written two new poems.  One is about a child, a bird and berries.  The second is about the typhoon that hit the Philippines.  I'm working on an essay about the impact of social policy, legislation and agencies on early childhood care and education in Ireland.

Boyne Writers' Group Chapbook 4 - "The Path of Progess" by Tom Dredge

Tom reading at a Boyne Readings & Open Mic

Thanks to the Boyne Writers Group website for the information below:

On Thursday 21 November Boyne Writers Group will launch Chapbook 4, The Path of Progess by Tom Dredge, in its series of Boyne Chapbooks.

Tom Dredge is a member of Boyne Writers Group since 2008. His poetry has featured in Boyne Berries, Revival and in the WOW! Anthology. In 2012 he was commended in the Gregory O’Donoghue Poetry Competition and in 2013 he came third in the English section of the Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition.

Tom is also a member of Bealtaine writers group based in the Irish Writers’ Centre, Dublin and is pictured below reading with that group in the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin as part of the Bealtaine Festival 2013.

He is a native of Dublin but has lived in Leixlip, Co. Kildare since 1982.

The launch takes place in the Castle Arch Hotel, Trim at 8pm on Thursday 21 November and Tom will read from his chapbook. This will be followed by an Open Mic open to all.

Boyne Writers' Group has published three chapbooks to date: Ashes and Snow by Michael Farry, Racket in the Air by Brendan Carey Kinnane and Drawn to the Light by Orla Fay. 

Underneath the Bridge