IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, CLOGH WRITERS GROUP LAUNCHED ‘WHERE I AM’, A COLLECTION OF POETRY AND PROSE FROM ELEVEN DIFFERENT WRITERS. AS CO-ORDINATOR OF THE WRITERS GROUP JANE MEALLY SAID: “WHERE I AM” IS A PUBLICATION WHERE EACH WRITER COMMUNICATES THEIR PASSION TO THE READER.”
Having attended the launch in Clogh, The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper was quite taken with not only the publication, but the work ethic of the writers group. Over the next 11 weeks we reproduce some of that work, and are delighted to work hand in hand with this North Kilkenny writers group.
WEEK 8: This week we feature the work of Linda Nolan
Behind The Blue Curtain
His trolley is guided expertly away,
‘We need to conduct some more tests’ they said,
Beep, beep,beep,
Machines ringing out all around me, Some lifesaving, I’m sure.
Technology beyond my knowledge, Waiting patiently, praying,
That intense antiseptic hospital odour, Seeps into my senses.
Silence just for a moment as the machines go quiet, A distant cough, somebody laughs out loud,
And the alarming beep starts again.
A kind eyed porter pops his head in and says,
‘Don’t worry love, he’ll be grand, won’t be much longer’, A flickering light in the corner needs attention,
The door buzzer rings again, it’s really busy, Lots of frantic footsteps rushing past,
Some confidently, others seem hesitant and a bit lost. Alone in this little cubicle, behind the blue curtain,
I feel isolated, in the midst of all this madness, Time stands still, I send up another silent prayer, Chest drain, c-spine collars, IV lines, spontaneous pneumothorax,
Labelled boxes full of life saving bits,
The trolley arrives back; the porter pushes aside the blue curtain,
Still secured by the backboard and collar,
My powerful protector, suddenly vulnerable, sore and helpless, Now we wait for results.
Medication kicking in, he falls into an uneasy sleep,
I hold his hand, a tear slips out and slides slowly down my face.
Linda Nolan
My Foggy Jewels
Spiders busily weaving their intricate webs That overnight evolve into the crown jewels, A mundane hedge in the pre-dawn gloom Bursts into life.
Draped in a sequinned evening gown As the sun begins to climb,
A Pandora’s Box of wonder Bursts open,
When it glitters and twinkles, And dances to life.
The sparkling jewels perch mystically, Upon the spring fresh foliage
Miniature crystal balls cling precariously from the tips, Creating that magical, atmospheric, upside down world That Mother Nature is so willing to share.
Linda Nolan
Narcissus – A Golden Moment
A regal riot of colour captured me, Heads bent in magnificent glory,
Graceful, humble, conspicuously trumpeting all their frills,
Heralding spring.
A gentle, whispering, fragrant breeze
Rustled through the golden crowned greenery and started the dance,
This dramatic performance totally commandeered my attention,
They are not fussy at all, peeping up in the sun, shade or even snow,
Pushing through barriers, year after year of golden sun- kissed reliability,
A welcome bouquet of new life, Persevering,
Prospering, Precious,
Sharing happiness.
I continued on with a smile.
I cherished my golden moment.
Linda Nolan
Then Sings My Soul
What a difference a day makes Nature brought yesterday a treat
The madness, the sound, the surge, the swell Crashing, churning, roaring, rough, Pounding, brutal, violent, tough,
Blustery outbursts blasting and whipping, Bracing myself I had to stand my ground.
In solitude I ploughed ahead The damp mist spraying me Dark clouds obscured the sun,
Anticipating the rhythm and repeat Of the absolute bedlam of the waves,
I gripped tighter to my coat and propelled myself forward, Trying to befriend this moody sea.
Today a dramatic and striking change
One rotation of Mother Earth and the drama has ceased, Calm, gentle, soft, tranquil,
Still humble, mild, tender,
Finding myself in the solitude, reflecting on the reflections, Admiring, relaxing, unwinding,
Leaving only footprints behind in the sand,
Letting everything else disappear into the white mist, Then sings my soul in light-hearted peaceful serenity.
Linda Nolan
Get Busy Living
As I wait for the sun to shine a little brighter As I wait for these dark clouds to clear
As I wait for life to get a little bit easier As I wait for the time to be right
As I wait for someone else to be ready As I wait for restrictions to ease
As I wait To hug To meet
To get close To be together
I ponder awhile on what it has meant I now realise that
‘Isolation’ is a horrible word.
My Granny was right about how important it is to ‘Wash Your Hands!’
Two metres is too far away for a hug
Blowing kisses through a window isn’t the same Online gatherings aren’t great
Going for a drink is not necessarily about the drink.
Missing normal
Can’t wait to get back there
Fear of the unknown, the invisible, the killer Realisation dawns, nothing is guaranteed Don’t put it off ‘til tomorrow
Don’t miss out on anymore It’s TIME….
TO GET BUSY LIVING!
Linda Nolan
