Poem -
Ghosts of the glen
An Irish famine story
Oh do you hear the laughter now?
around the rugged Mahon Glen
carried in the streams embrace
do we know what happened then?
Eastward winds they wandered with
yet hunger pains did follow too
pilgrims of a famine trail
beneath the baying clouds of doom
In Comeragh woods a shelter found
beneath the towering elm trees
on leafy banks the infants played
laughter carried in the breeze
Their starving guardians wandered on
to forage for the roots of hope
but as they sought death did pounce
as feeble forms no longer coped
Innocence by gentle waters
they hopped and skipped 'till silence turn
ghosts of the glen their spirits wander
long after flesh has ceased to yearn.
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Comments
Wow ! another wonderful poem! Heart wrenching! great writing!..........Jim
Thank you
Fabulous writing. Is this about the great potato famine?
It is indeed, about families from the west of the country, Cork, Kerry etc who moved east, emaciated and on foot towards Co Waterford where I live. Local historians have it that they took shelter in the woods around the foothills of the Comeragh mountains and whilst the children played by the river bank their parents left them temporarily to look for food but did not return as they fell to hunger and disease, it was in the woods that the orphaned children perished and become known as the child ghosts of the Mahon Glen.
My goodness what a sad story. Bless their hearts. Horrific times they must've gone through. Thank you for telling me this story (history). I remember my mother telling me the history of the potato famine when I was little. This story brings it to life. We should never forget the way in which people suffered throughout history. Thank you again x
Your welcome
Xx