As part of the Erne Gaels GAC community relations programme, Belleek poet Tom Cullen will launch his second volume of poetry in the 'Streams' series entitled 'Rhymes and Reasons' this Friday night, the 26th January, in the Recreation and Social Centre, Belleek, at 8.30pm.
The launch follows on from a family fun day that was held in Belleek last September.
The proceeds of the volume are being donated to the Fermanagh Branch of Macmillan Nurses. The booklet contains 18 poems and some details as to the reason for the composition of each. While the first volume was composed in Irish, the current volume is almost entirely in English with just one poem in Irish and many titled in Irish, English and Polish.
Tom, who may be better known to some as the author of 'A Gaelic Graduation' a history of the life and times of Fermanagh GAA, describes the new book that is 'about real people'.
"These are the people that seldom if ever receive publicity. They are 'flowers that were born to bloom unseen'. These are the people that rocked the cradle, tended the plough, harrowed the land and served the nation. They accepted their station in life and were heroes in their own right.
"They informed the attitudes and outlook of more than a generation. Perhaps the greatest tribute to most would have been the fact that they could truly have said : "Ich Bin Ein Béal-Leicer."
When history is written, Tom explained, such people will seldom feature with the great and the good as perceived with the narrow lens.
"They were not high officials or office holders, or repositories of the sanction of the powers that be. They were however the 'salt of the earth' and meager details of only a few are recorded here."
The book contains a song entitled 'Erne Waters Deep' and poems with such titles as 'The Lockaleach', 'The Acres Lane', 'The Comfort of the Light', and tributes to people with whom he was aquainted such as 'Fr. Dan Ward', 'Gentleman Joe', 'Séamus' and 'Mama Mia'.
Within the collection, Tom pays tribute to a friend Séamus Heron.
"I journeyed thousands of miles with Séamus Heron. He made a phenomenal contribution to the youth of his time and place. He did so to a large degree at his own expense. Nobody gave more to his community than Séamus.
I went to see him in The Erne Hospital along with Matt Hughes. Matt and Seamus had become close friends due to their joint interest in Gaelic Sport over a prolonged period. Their parting, and the way Seamus accepted the final hurdle was an experience not easily forgotten."
And, so the poem goes.
"He told me quietly he would soon die, But I refused to say goodbye, Matt clasped his hand and bade farewell, It was a difficult moment – I could tell.
"Dying is easy he said quite casual, When your time is up it is only natural, With conscience clear and with no disguise
I'll meet my Maker in paradise."
Rhymes and Reason suggested subscription costs £7 or 10 euro.
