Inniskeen Road: July Evening Poem by Patrick Kavanagh
Inniskeen Road: July Evening
The bicycles go by in twos and threes -
There's a dance in Billy Brennan's barn to-night,
And there's the half-talk code of mysteries
And the wink-and-elbow language of delight.
Half-past eight and there is not a spot
Upon a mile of road, no shadow thrown
That might turn out a man or woman, not
A footfall tapping secrecies of stone.
I have what every poet hates in spite
Of all the solemn talk of contemplation.
Oh, Alexander Selkirk knew the plight
Of being king and government and nation.
A road, a mile of kingdom, I am king
Of banks and stones and every blooming thing.
In a certain mood anyone can feel like this; not just a poet. Like you're missing out on something you should be at, but nobody thought to invite you (maybe because you inhabit a different mind zone) . So you're left with spiteful feelings and loneliness - driving you to write poetry!
another fav of mine. 'footfall tapping screcies of stone...' brilliant!
Kavanagh demonstrates his detachment from the social world of rural Ireland through his imagery. He is isolated and lonley but only so he can preform his duties as a poet. He has voluntarily abandoned this world.
It is important to note that all Patrick Kavanagh's poems are still in copyright. They cannot be reproduced without the permission of the copyright holder. Copyright © Estate of Katherine Kavanagh
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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10/11/2024 9:55:53 PM # 1.0.0
I love this poem! conveys the lonliness and isolation he felt as a poet in a great way..