roman island – Chris Murray

Across the Sound

The horizon is a mess of mizzle
Like gathered stage-curtains
Behind which the world is
Constantly trying to slip.

Across the Sound

Seven-night gales had been
Known to rip sheer rocks
From these bird-shocked cliffs.

As if the island had been
Offered up by the mainland,
An inhabited storm-wall

As if the island had been
Jettisoned, a large block of
Night heaved into the sea.

Across the Sound, Shards from the history of an Island is by Daragh Breen, November Press. 2003

This small book was a gift. I excerpted two wee pieces from it as Autumn is coming in, thus my trips to the place in the west will be not as frequent. The words contain almost a hunger to describe the island, the sea and the west of Ireland in it’s storm-damaged reality. Some of the images remind me of a view from Roman Island in Mayo and some indeed remind me of the Arnold Bax composition, The Garden of the Fand.

Paul Henry
The Garden of the Fand

Chris Murray

Tag: roman island

Across the Sound by Daragh Breen.

Across the Sound

Across the Sound