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Rats, Lovers and Dicky Shafter
by Mick Beirne
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 5th August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-908282-86-6
Price: €15.00
This book is the culmination of over five decades of work, from the creative mind of a man whose life experiences have provided him with a variety of themes and thoughts.
Topics range from the amorous activities of a fecund farmyard Rooster to the demise of the late lamented Celtic Tiger.
Though many of the characters are animals, they are a metaphorical representation of the human condition in a world of unstable boundaries, unsustainable glories, and the common quest for survival.
Much of the tone is humorous and satirical; nevertheless controversial issues are not avoided–instead human frailties are presented and explored in a manner intended to confront but not condemn.
Many of the poems employ the old ballad form typical of bardic poetry, which was once commonly used in the oral tradition of passing on history, folklore and morals to the next generation.
It is hoped that this work will please and provoke in priory, parlour and pub.
About the Author
Mick Beirne was born in Drumman More, Rooskey, County Roscommon on 21st of October 1949. He attended Rooskey NS until June 1963, when he completed his Primary Certificate. He did not attend secondary school, as there was then no free education at second level. He worked on the family farm until October 1969, when a scholarship to the National Botanic Gardens took him to Dublin.
After completing this study, he worked in horticulture until 1980 — during which time he accumulated an honours Leaving Certificate through evening study after work. From January 1980 to October 1986 he worked in the vocational training of young people with special needs; leaving because of rejection of his criticism of standards of care then in operation. During this period he obtained a BA in arts. Later he obtained a BSc (hons) degree. Since 1987 he has run a private Tutorial college –preparing students for Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate and teaching examinations.
Mick is married to Bernadette Greene and they have two children, Dearbhla and Niamh.
Gifts Of The Wild Woods
The mist was down from the mountain,
The corncrake echoing the glen,
And the fox – hid on some crazy ledge top –
Was howling for hunger and sin
And I – on reprieve from the city –
Was reviewing my taste for the trial,
When she came bearing gifts of the sweet wild woods
To gladden my heart like a child.
Her hair was as dark as the nightshade
That grew by the flower-fretted moor.
Her glance was a lantern from heaven
To awaken the soul of the dour.
Her kiss was a promise of Eden
Before the great plot was despoiled,
And she came bearing gifts of the sweet wild woods
To gladden my heart like a child.
And we took a walk for a little while
Where the dawn is always glowing,
And it made the ways of life less riled
And eased the pain of knowing.
And we reached the land where springs are born,
And of no earthly weather:
But we tripped and fell – like angels to hell –
And we didn’t fall together.
And I’d sing a sad song, but the music’s gone,
And the chanter’s worn from blowing.
But the whiskey’s warm, and the night’s a storm,
And there’s nowhere new worth going.
Alas that ever I met her!
That she ever prevailed in my time!
To shackle my reason with sorrow
And make common strife seem sublime.
That ever she found me to lose her –
So new and so few and so spoilt:
For she took all the gifts from the sweet wild woods,
To sadden my heart like a child.
