-
“AWAKE TO RACISM”
Joann Malone In recognition of Black History Month, this week Trasna features an excerpt from a new publication by Joann Malone, Awake to Racism. Malone, an Irish-American, shares her experiences as a Catholic nun in Alabama in the 1960s. There, while teaching, she begins a lifelong involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Beginning with the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham to the death of George Floyd, Malone urges readers to AWAKE to Racism, and to celebrate our greatest strength, diversity. (CO’C) “My White Privilege,” from AWAKE to Racism by Joann Malone “I’ve never liked being categorized as ‘white.’” What’s white? An absence of color, melanin, jazz, laughter, rhythm? I probably…
-
“Ardmore,” and Other Poems
Frank Farrelly This week Trasna is pleased to feature Irish poet, Frank Farrelly, who is based in Waterford city. Frank’s poems here are from his first full collection, The Boiler Room, and reflect on childhood, place and a growing towards an understanding of the complexities of life and living. The poem, Against the Clock, brings us to our current situation, living through the COVID pandemic, and here Farrelly brings a mature understanding of the qualities that might help us to bear and to “cheat this crimping of our time”. Ardmore for my parents Uprooted once again, this time south, you leave your home, your friends, drive for hours through lonely hills, darkened towns, your…
-
“Take Me out to the Ballgame,” and Other Poems
K.T. Slattery This week Trasna is pleased to feature the work of K.T. Slattery. A native of Tennessee, who now lives in the West of Ireland, Slattery is a familiar with Transatlantic crossings. “My biggest regret / Moving across the wide ocean- / I missed that glorious day / Red Sox World Champions!!!!” We commend Slattery not just for her image-rich poetry, but for her good taste in rooting for the Red Sox. This fall, Hedgehog Press is publishing her debut poetry collection which will include “Take Me out to the Ballgame. Take Me out to the Ballgame Scorecard balanced on knees Cross pencil in hand Me next to you With my own scorecard Looking over your…
-
Atlantic Currents, Connecting Cork and Lowell Through Learning
Atlantic Currents is an anthology of sixty-five writers from Ireland and the United States. The book grew from the efforts of John Wooding, a former Provost at UMass, to have Lowell designated a UNESCO Learning City. Working with co-editors Paul Marion of Loom Press and Tina Neylon of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, this unique anthology seeks to enrich the the experience of readers by presenting a variety of writing from both sides of the Atlantic. Featured this week is an essay by Wooding on learning and the critical role it plays in our personal lives and in society. The book can be ordered at www.loompress.com Lowell: City of Learning? by…
-
Atlantic Currents & the Poetry of Alex Hayes
Atlantic Currents: Connecting Cork and Lowell, brings together sixty-five writers from both sides of the Atlantic, featuring a collection of stories, poems, essays, songs, and parts of novels. This January, Trasna features selected writings from this 2020 anthology. Featured this week, the poetry of Alex Hayes. FR8879, 42 (Warsaw to Shannon) We’re leaving the sea of clouds behind now, Suspended and frozen amidst the blue, I looked for you in my chest and for all those years saw nothing but mirrors and those familiar, youthful eyes staring back. Soon I’ll be home, and you still five years dead, Slowly rotting, embalmed with unsaid words. You were more alive in this…
-
“Where Now Begins”
This week, on January 6th, the United States Capitol was attacked. It houses the meeting chambers of the United States Senate and the Congress. It is one of the most symbolically important buildings in the nation. At the time of the attack, a joint session of Congress was certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. The assault, more than anything else, was an attack on Democracy. Given these events, Trasna will pause its weekly posts and instead offer the words of poet Kerry Hardie, excerpted from her collection, “Where Now Begins.” 3 Responses to “Where Now Begins” Jeannie Sargent Judge says:January 8, 2021 at 2:21 pmThank you. “Where Now Begins”…
-
‘Beannacht’ ~ a New Year Blessing
Eileen Heneghan Beannacht is the Irish word for blessing. As 2020 ends, and we prepare to begin 2021, we extend a heartfelt and beautiful Beannacht from Tipperary-based healer and writer, Eileen Heneghan. Here at Trasna, we wish everyone health and happiness in the new year. Beannacht Wishing you deep peace as we stand on the shoreline of a new year and new beginning May the times ahead be lived from an open and loving heart May the lessons of the past year that broke us open, bring now the gift of compassion, and kindle the courage to continue on May we gently let go our loved ones who have passed,…
-
Nollaig Shona Daoibh – Merry Christmas to All
From: “A Christmas Childhood,” Patrick Kavanagh (1943) “Outside the cow-house my motherMade the music of milking;The light of her stable-lamp was a starAnd the frost of Bethlehem made it twinkle. A water-hen screeched in the bog,Mass-going feetCrunched the wafer-ice on the pot-holes,Somebody wistfully twisted the bellows wheel. My child poet picked out the lettersOn the grey stone,In silver the wonder of a Christmas townland,The winking glitter of a frosty dawn.” The above is an excerpt from Patrick Kavanagh’s “A Christmas Childhood.” The poem was first published in The Irish Press on the 24th of December, 1943. Photo by Christine O’Connor One Response to Nollaig Shona Daoibh – Merry Christmas to…
-
CUMMISKEY ALLEY New and Selected Poems by Tom Sexton
Former Alaskan poet Laureate Tom Sexton’s latest volume of poetry is “Cummiskey Alley.” The collection is named after Lowell’s first Irishman, Hugh Cummiskey, who walked from Boston to Lowell with a group of Irish laborers. Cummiskey and many other Irish labors dug miles of canals in Lowell, and helped birth the nation’s first industrial revolution. The following poems explore the American experiences of immigrants, largely Irish, and their descendants. The book is available from loompress.com or amazon.com Amerikay, 1832, a Letter When your ship sails into Boston Harbor stay with those who are walking to Lowell By road or along the bank of the canal that goes from Charlestown to…
-
Ireland’s Most Loved Independent Bookshops – by Trasna Writers
This week on Trasna, we feature a few of Ireland’s Independent Bookshops. Ireland has over 200 Independent bookshops, and they fulfill a role that larger chains don’t: they are true members of their community. As poet Enda Wyley explains: “Here you drop in to browse books, have a chat about the latest releases and sometimes bump into book loving friends too.” Many of these shops promote local authors, have knowledgable staff, have extensive online services, and offer overseas shipments. A few of this year’s contributors share their own most loved independent bookshops, and why they matter. What are yours? We’d love to hear. Winding Stair Bookshop, Dublin ENDA WYLEY ~…
