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Francis Ledwidge – Soldier. Poet. 1887-1917

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. (more…)

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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; (more…)

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The Blackbird

i.m. Francis Ledwidge

Fair-haired Ellie shared
with me her sacred memory
of you, and your story (more…)

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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. (more…)

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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. (more…)

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Molly Christie

“Frank saved my life” my son says,
“there in Suvla Bay.”
Just so. It blew his leg away. (more…)

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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?  (more…)

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Digging for Fools’ Gold

There is no sweet lark song
here, to temper dying moans
and the mad alarms of battle (more…)

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The Door-Bell

All was quiet and peaceful
in the cottage
and then (more…)

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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. (more…)

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Ledge Whisperings

In truth, the loneliness landed long before you left
a human shield came into play, blurring the true picture
though the eyes told the story, had anyone cared to look (more…)

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My Name is Frank Ledwidge

I knew her parents didn’t like me.
Not good enough, they said.
She was torn
and tore away from me: (more…)

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Waiting for The Call

I longed to be there
before the bluebells calm hue faded
The river burbling its delight
as swallows returned to eaves and byres
(more…)

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Some Other Heaven

Am I a fool? I often wonder to myself
When my beating heart’s eye perceives
The bullets that fizz and spark around me
Are but flowers tossed from the meadow
By a zephyr’s ever playful whim; (more…)

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The Road Maker

Huddled in a ditch in Ypres
bowed beneath the rain
hunkers Francis Ledwidge,
(more…)

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Soliloquy

There was something in the air that day, a kind of softness in the wind. I was hanging out the washing in the garden, hoping to take advantage of the July warmth, when I saw Joe coming up the road from town. He was walking slow, pushing the bike along beside him.

(more…)

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Never Fade

Words that echo from a haunted era
Such contrast amongst the carnage
Your voice still warms our hearts
A remarkable solider, a friend,
And son but never a husband.

(more…)

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Ledwidge Centenary

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Events

Francis Ledwidge – Soldier. Poet. 1887-1917

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. (more…)

Literature

The Rock Remains

He, of the earth, a poet of land, flora and fauna

Literature

The Blackbird

Flooded by a plaintive music

Literature

How Could You Leave Me?

I cannot stay here

Literature

Bob Christie Shares a Glass with Francis

Let us remember too our fallen friends

Literature

Molly Christie

Between New Lodge and Tiger Bay

Literature

The Greatcoat – Katja’s Story

Amongst a rag-taggle band of lowly refugees

Literature

Digging for Fools’ Gold

The shells of our own brothers

Literature

The Door-Bell

Everyone thought him crazy

Literature

The Return

A ancient and a sad desire

Literature

Ledge Whisperings

Left Behind

Literature

My Name is Frank Ledwidge

Not good enough, they said

Literature

Waiting for The Call

Surely, I must soon be called home

Literature

Some Other Heaven

Am I a fool? I often wonder to myself

Literature

The Road Maker

Huddled in a ditch in Ypres

Literature

Soliloquy

His Mother Remembers

Literature

Never Fade

Words that echo from a haunted era

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