Hopeful Digging with a Nobel Prize Winner

A view of Oranmore, Ireland
(with Oranmore Castle in the distance)

Last summer I was in Ireland--home of Nobel Prize winner and poet Seamus Heaney. I actually heard Seamus Heaney (pronounced "Shay-mus Hay-knee") speak at the AWP conference in Boston in February 2013. What a fascinating man to listen to. He seemed like he had 2 feet on the ground at all times--though his mind and imagination knew no limits.

It was during my time in Ireland that I first read his poem "Digging" from his collection Death of a Naturalist. I love the way he handles the passage of time. How there are so many layers to all he says-- "the curt cuts of an edge/ Through living roots awaken in my head." The imagery and innuendo of this poem is striking.

Coming from a line of farmers myself and living in a rural, semi-agrarian area, Heaney's connection with the earth is familiar, as is his disconnect from the earth as well. His line "But I've no spade to follow men like them" resonates with me, as does his final decision to dig with his pen rather than his spade.

I believe hope is threaded throughout this poem. Perhaps that is what draws me to it the most.

After reading "Digging" for the first time, I had to share it with my fellow word-lovers and word-smiths. So, over a dinner of Indian food in Oranmore, Ireland, I read "Digging" to 3 of my dearest friends and watched the words of Seamus Heaney cast a spell over our quiet corner table.

Reading "Digging" over dinner in Oranmore

As you read, imagine the lush Irish landscape, savor the language, listen for the hope. (You can hear Heaney read the poem here.)

Digging
By: Seamus Heaney

Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.

Under my window, a clean rasping sound
When the spade sinks into gravelly ground:
My father, digging. I look down

Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds
Bends low, comes up twenty years away
Stooping in rhythm through potato drills
Where he was digging.

The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft
Against the inside knee was levered firmly.
He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep
To scatter new potatoes that we picked
Loving their cool hardness in our hands.

By God, the old man could handle a spade.
Just like his old man.

My grandfather cut more turf in a day
Than any other man on Toner's bog.
Once I carried him milk in a bottle
Corked sloppily with paper. He straightened up
To drink again, then fell to right away
Nicking and slicing neatly, heaving sods
Over his shoulder, going down and down
For the good turf. Digging.

The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap
Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge
Through living roots awaken in my head.
But I've no spade to follow men like them.

Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I'll dig with it.

_________________________________________

Wishing you all a happy NATIONAL POETRY MONTH and a Hopeful Tuesday!

Anna

The Boots are Back On and I'm Rolling Your Way!

I'm baaaa-aaaack.

I'm not sure if the Jaws theme song should play or if ticker tape should start drifting from the sky. (I'll leave you to determine your own sentiments on this issue.) But I am indeed back in the blogsphere--I feel like this should read blog-o-sphere--and must say that I missed this dear Isle. I missed all of you!

I would also like to say an enormous thank you to our guest writers--Lauren and Stevie--for filling the silence while I was traveling. Their writing was beautiful; their honesty compelling. Thank you, ladies.

In my last post (oh, about a billion years ago) I posted pictures of Ireland. Since then I also visited Scotland and my husband's incredible and loving family. However, instead of yet again posting a deluge of pictures, this week I'm going to choose a few of my favorite moments from my Scotland adventures and share them with you. So tomorrow look for a post on one of my Highland discoveries.

Then...

Throughout August I will be relaying some of my "newbie" publishing experiences as I head into the release of my novella on September 1. I previously posted the cover art for the novella collection (and I'm still crazy excited about that!), and I have since "met" via email the other 8 authors that contributed to the collection--and they pretty much rock. One or two of them may even make an appearance on the Silent Isle as well. And, who knows, maybe a free book or two will be given away! I'm waggling like a giddy puppy in my excitement about all that is to come! (But don't worry, I'll not pee on anyone as giddy puppies are prone to do.)

Which brings me to my final point....the most delightful surprise I was met with upon my return home from my travels: 

A finished bathroom!
(okay, now cue the ticker tape.)

Yes, I did choose the decor, but it was all Jonathan who made it happen. It even has a heated floor--gasp! I've never had such luxury! From now on my feet will be toasty each time I step out of the shower. Yep, best. surprise. ever. 

 So good to be back with you all - happy Tuesday!

Breaking the Silence

(The Old Library at Trinity College--one of my favorite experiences so far!)

Greetings from the Emerald Isle! I am alive and well and rambling about over here across the pond. Just wanted to stick my head in at the isle so you all don't think I've been stolen by a leprechaun. It's been a whirlwind week and a half, first a week in Dublin at Trinity College, now several days in Galway. Days have been chock full of classes, lectures, workshops, readings, sightseeing. I think I may have forgotten how to sleep in the process. But it's been such a delightful time (apart from the heatwave Ireland's experiencing--ugh) and I wanted to post just a few pictures.

I also just received today the cover art for the novella collection that my novella is apart of. I was so excited when I received it that I actually did a happy dance in a coffee shop this afternoon. So I'm posting a photo of that as well for you to see. (Though I do apologize for the pictures being uncentered and somewhat unformatted--technology while traveling can get a bit squirrelly.)

Hope you enjoy the view! Monday it's off to Scotland!

Countryside heading West from Dublin to Galway

The Old Library at Trinity College

The harbor at Howth, just outside Dublin.

A view of the Island's Eye at sunset (in Howth)

My friend Joe introduced me to oysters--maiden oyster voyage at the Temple Bar wasn't bad.

Oranmore Castle

My dear friend Karen and I on our way to Galway.

We saw a play in Dublin called "Shush"--very funny!

Crazy excited about the novella collection cover art!!

Put the Kettle On, Mum, I'm Coming Home

In just a few short weeks I'll be headed first to Ireland, then on to Scotland. And my heart starts to hammer in excitement just thinking of it. I have never been to Ireland, so I eagerly await my first taste. But Scotland. Ah, Scotland. The home of my husband is home to me. Every time I clap eyes on my sweet Mum-in-Law's cottage overlooking the Cromarty Firth, my heart knows it has found its resting place. So while there is still time and much to do before lifting off over the Atlantic, I want to take a minute to revel. To saver. And to share with you just a sampling of the sweetness of The Motherland. And, fortunately for us all, my dear friend Jessica Andrews has taken some of the most stunning pictures of Scotland ever. So sit back and enjoy the view.

In Scotland, if you stand on a hillside, you can watch a rain storm and never get wet. And there's something about staring out at the horizon and seeing sea mix with sky til you can no longer tell them apart.

This is one of my favorites--the sea evokes such calm within me.

The Isle of Skye--fitting name, yes?

Balmoral Castle--see the flag? That means the Queen is in. When she leaves the flag is taken down. Seems a strange thing to do, announce to the world that the castle has emptied, so anyone set on burgling will know it's open season on the family silver. But tradition is, after all, of utmost importance.

Arthur's Seat--just outside of Edinburgh--this is where Jonathan used to run when he was in training for basketball. (This view would be quite the inspiration while running, I would think.) This is also where the scene in Chariots of Fire was filmed when Eric Liddell said, "When I run, I feel [God's] pleasure." (If you haven't seen Chariots of Fire, you must! Make it your weekend mission.)

Why do I love sea wrecks? Don't know, but I do! And look at that sky!

This is my other favorite. There's just something about Eilean Donan castle--or maybe it's just my jealousy because my castle is in ruins and this one wasn't burned to the ground in a frenzy of Scottish Highland pride. 

The view from Stirling Castle. Dang. I wouldn't mind waking up to this view everyday. This is truly God's country.

Corgarff Castle--I'm not as jealous over this one. This one's tiny. No room for all my books. But it was at one time used as a distillery, so I bet they know how to throw a good party!

See what I mean? Isn't Jessica--or, as most of us know her, Jessie--a brilliant photographer? If you want to be awed by more of what she's captured, you can find her on Flickr or Twitter. Be sure to check out her pictures of Australia. And of Germany. Oh, and of New York City--well, just check them all out. You won't be disappointed. 

Hope your Friday is sweet, dear friends!