Words Written at the Door of the Robin Gill Cottage

After I bought the little cottage above in Ballinamuck, and discussing the history of the area, I was told that it was reputed to be the home of the local leader Robin Gill, who led the local forces a

Today, none fear death bar those that flee,
From the aim of a hunters gun,
Mere deer, who shadows make among the trees,
Local battles all fought and finished, lost and won,
Depending which side you take... but history now is death,
And none the worse for it is that,
Briton and Gael meet as brothers now, if not, as neighbours,
Who once in conflict each others throats were at,
But a few short years ago... we hope no more,
That things peaceful now, as such continue to be...
That only the deer, fleeting shadows among those trees,
Are all that from bullets of guns in terror flee...




More poetry akin to this one...

* War and Poppies
* The Bodhran and the Goat
* Killala Man, Remembered

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like how you brought the deer back in at the end...the peaceful creatures...we hunt...but men hunting and killing each other? that is death that must not happen...there is hope here...and i like the irony of the cottage in the woods, where there should be peace and serenity...and now is after much strife.

jacob

[Tomás Ó Cárthaigh]

That is both the truth and the tragedy of life...

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Tomás,

Beautiful cottage and a beautiful sentiment expressed in poetry. It is wonderful when peace descends from heaven to bless a troubled land. Yours are wonderful words.

Greatly enjoyed.

Best regards,

Rick

[Tomás Ó Cárthaigh]

Thanks Rick. The bad news is Sunday night I suffered a fire there and its gutted - as am I - so I haveto start from scratch with it again. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10300050_10203142940228872_7574847121987043698_n.jpg is it currently. :( #lifesabitch

[Rick Puetter]

Oh, my God! Such a tragedy. I have similarly suffered the discovery that half of my house what constructed without permits. So I had to tear it down to the dirt. It only cost me a quarter of a million dollars. As they say, it's only money, but that really hurt. The construction is almost done, I expect at the end of this month. Been doing this since the beginning of October, and living in half a house with a full house of furniture. And dealt with all of this as Rosalinda, my wife, was nearly dying in the hospital over the holidays. She was in hospital/nursing homes all of December and January, coming home at the beginning of February. Glad they didn't tell me at the time, but the doctors only gave her a 50% chance of surviving. We're told now that she will recover to a "normal" life although her liver is severely compromise due to the drugs she's been taking for 25 years for her epilepsy. She off of those now for almost 10 years, but the damage is done, both liver damage and 30% brain loss of the right cerebellum. Yeah, those drugs can be nasty. So she has a tremor in her left hand and has difficulty walking and with fine motor sills in her hands. She can barely sign her name, for example. So the health issues have be staggering. And so have the issues with the house. Those are mostly under control now with a realignment of retirement funds, etc. So life goes on. Until it ends! Hopefully on a peaceful note.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. This was a beautiful cottage.

My very best regards and hopes for a pleasant outcome as you deal with the damages.

Rick

[Tomás Ó Cárthaigh]

Thanks a million Rick. Compared to your troubles mine are small big and all as they are. I wish you and your wife all the best. Heading up on Monday to start the clean up...

[Tate Morgan]

A great telling of the hopes fears and truths of your nation