This special edition of Corncrake is part of the many celebrations around the centenary of Meath poet Francis Ledwidge. He was serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed at Passchendaele in 1917. Continue reading “Francis Ledwidge – Soldier. Poet. 1887-1917”
Issue: Ledwidge Centenary
The Rock Remains
For Francis and Ellie
They came and went, this trysting couple
Seeking shelter from both wind and rain
And from the prying eyes of the prurient; Continue reading “The Rock Remains”
The Blackbird
i.m. Francis Ledwidge
Fair-haired Ellie shared
with me her sacred memory
of you, and your story Continue reading “The Blackbird”
How Could You Leave Me?
In that instant it was over,
we were torn apart.
You were gone from my life,
a knife through my heart. Continue reading “How Could You Leave Me?”
Bob Christie Shares a Glass with Francis
The sweetest sound that I ever did hear
Was that of your voice calling to me
Through the unholy fug of war memory. Continue reading “Bob Christie Shares a Glass with Francis”
Molly Christie
“Frank saved my life” my son says,
“there in Suvla Bay.”
Just so. It blew his leg away. Continue reading “Molly Christie”
The Greatcoat – Katja’s Story
Did I ever tell you, my dear grandchildren
About the Irish soldier who came upon me
Shaking with brimming fear and icy cold
In the harsh rain on a road in war-torn Serbia? Continue reading “The Greatcoat – Katja’s Story”
Digging for Fools’ Gold
There is no sweet lark song
here, to temper dying moans
and the mad alarms of battle Continue reading “Digging for Fools’ Gold”
The Door-Bell
All was quiet and peaceful
in the cottage
and then Continue reading “The Door-Bell”
The Return
I met him early in the morn
Before the dawn, in grey light walking
He seemed as from another time
We fell in rhyme; we started talking. Continue reading “The Return”
