Some Poems from 2012 Festival

Some Poems from 2012 Festival

The Inner Me

By Siobhán Clifford (Winner, Schools’ Poetry)

I see the sky reflected in a puddle
It’s emotions fully on show.
I see my face reflected in a mirror
But it’s not the person I know.

The sky is broad and open and blue,
Its feeling it just cannot hide.
My face is happy, bubbly and bright
But that’s not how I am feeling inside.

When the day is too long or life takes a bite
The sky will enlighten us all.
But if I feel diminished, or lost and alone
No one must know it at all.

Open and free, no secret it keeps
The sky has no fear or restraint.
On the other hand, I have a needle hidden
Yet no one hears a complaint.

Green Rain

By Bryan O’Connor (Runner Up, Schools’ Poetry’)

I weed the town streets at night
So no one may see the horror
Of acid green on leafy patches
Spread out in terror
Across the fields of cracked stone.
But as I finish, the tank
On my back now depleted,
I return home praying for a sweet respite,
Another chance at peace and quiet.

Hands Up
By Jacqui Feely (nee Drake)

Hands up who has been here before?
Were you summoned or were you a spectator – I was summoned
A pleading with my father allowing me to get in the driver’s door
From Cronin’s garage to Clonbanin Cross and hey bingo – checkpoint!!

I was eighteen no licence, no insurance, no clue.
Sorely tempted to park in Joe Kelleher’s and avoid the boys in blue
Faced the music took the pain was certain I would just get a warning
They took my details a local girl sure I forgot about it the following morning.

A phone call from college to home and my world changed forever
I was to appear in Kanturk court for my disorder
With no legal representation I sat by my Dad at the back of the court
Why the hell was it so full – it was like a criminal mart.

Would it be on my record my visit here prevent me from entering the States
Would employers ask if you ever been in court made any mistakes
Would there be a fine would my Dad pay it –what if he refused and kicked up
Jesus the strain I’ll never forget it, the waiting, the noise, the judge close up.

Up our number came up we had to stand and all eyes on us
It was awful – I was sweating shifting nervously not needing a loo was a plus
The fine was manageable I was relieved I left the court while the judge was still talking
My father came out storming couldn’t believe I took off walking

Returned the next day back into college all agog at what I had been through
I felt quite embarrassed would the Corkman list my court debut
Thank god no one I know was there that day to witness my mistake
Can you imagine the plaque card – “free the Drake”.

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