Monday, May 30, 2005

Poetry Corner

Lines written upon the French rejection of Bertie Ahern's compromise Constitution for the European Union, by Seamus Heaney*

Beacons at Bealtaine: 2

As if the Book of Kells followed the Wild Geese
A new tome from Hibernia to Europa
Divided into 448 parts.
And a hundred thousand welcomes to the 10 from the East
Our allies at Vienna
The dreams of Malmaison and Aix-la-Chapelle are alive.

But beware Gaels bearing gifts
The Gauls only see it too late.
Where black smoke once meant Polish coal
Or a Polish Pope
Now the smokey beacons warn of a Polish plumber
From middle sea to north sea.
And beyond the western shore
Hibernia curses the gall of Gaul.



*the above does not constitute a claim to be Seamus Heaney