{"id":4947,"date":"2021-02-21T03:56:01","date_gmt":"2021-02-21T03:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/?p=4947"},"modified":"2021-02-21T03:57:01","modified_gmt":"2021-02-21T03:57:01","slug":"to-visit-a-strangers-grave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/to-visit-a-strangers-grave\/","title":{"rendered":"To Visit A Strangers Grave"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Keeraun<\/a>
Keeraun Hill cemetry in Banagher where my parents lie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I walk in town to which confined
\nFor nine more weeks I bring to mind
\nThe graves I would visit today
\nOf my folks dead, but as I’m away
\nI cannot: in times of death
\nWe live in hope, but listen yet
\nSomeone’s uncle dies, someone else’s friend
\nWe truly never know what is the end
\nVaccine rollout nationwide is slow
\nIf it works on variants as of yet we don’t know
\nThe churches are shut for mass and prayer
\nBut we don’t have to worship there
\nWe can go to a cemetery near
\nPass graves of strangers someone held dear
\nSay a prayer for them, say a prayer for all
\nSpend time their own cant, as crows call
\nSeagulls swoop across the sky
\nLooking down on a stranger such as I
\nPerhaps in Ballinalee or Banagher today
\nA stranger passes our graves, a prayer does say
\nFor those buried their that are my own
\nAs I do for these folks who and whose folks Ive never known
\nIt takes little to be kind
\nPeace among those who in peace rest can find
\nWhen these times end – in time they will pass
\nWe can come together, worship at mass
\nRemember our own as their graves we pass by
\nAs I hope others visit mine when pass on do I
\nThis life passes us in a blink
\nThese COVID days makes us sit and think
\nThere are no atheists in the trenches, it was said
\nIts true I say as I walk among the dead
\nOf strangers I visit where I live
\nI of my time a little give
\nFor unknown strangers say a silent prayer
\nAs others may for mine elsewhere buried there.<\/p>\n

\"Tubberpatrick<\/a>
Tubberpatrick cemetry in Leitrim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"General<\/a>
General Blakes grave in Tubberpatrick, near one of our family graves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I walk in town to which confined For nine more weeks I bring to mind The graves I would visit today Of my folks dead, but as I’m away I cannot: in times of death We live in hope, but listen yet Someone’s uncle dies, someone else’s friend We truly …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4319,55,1651,3429,2925,23,3583,4406],"tags":[4278,2345,2072,4407],"class_list":["post-4947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-covid19","category-current-affairs-in-ireland","category-gander-around-galway","category-lesser-known-ireland","category-longford","category-north-longford","category-reflection","category-we-paw-blog","tag-covid19","tag-ireland","tag-reflection","tag-visiting-graves","column","twocol"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7EI4f-1hN","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4000,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/the-famine-cross\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":0},"title":"The Famine Cross","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"28th September 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"At the back of St Josephs Hospital in Longford, there is the local famine graveyard. This poem is dedicated to those interred there during the famine, and until the home closed, those folks were the poorest of the poor. They died while in the workhouse, of which the father of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art Inspired Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Art Inspired Poetry","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/art-inspired-poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Famine Cross in Longford - Photo by Lalin Swaris","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/The-Famine-Cross-in-Longford-Photo-by-Lalin-Swaris-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/The-Famine-Cross-in-Longford-Photo-by-Lalin-Swaris-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/The-Famine-Cross-in-Longford-Photo-by-Lalin-Swaris-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3940,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/after-touring-st-mels-cathederal\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":1},"title":"After Touring St. Mels Cathederal","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"12th September 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Where the fire burned... its smell intimately familiar One statue survived, mere damage and dust of smoke Pictured on the walls: the ruins, it looks now that there was never any I listened, as the bishop of it spoke Of the sculpture of the Stations and the Church Mice Of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ireland"","block_context":{"text":"Ireland","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/ireland\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Windows in Saint Mels Cathederal in Longford","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Windows-in-Saint-Mels-Cathederal-in-Longford-165x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":344,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/reaction-and-reflection-on-rebellion-re-enactment-in-ballinamuck\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":2},"title":"Reaction and Reflection on Rebellion Re-enactment in Ballinamuck","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"7th September 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Was it to be remembered that they took the sword Under the banner of green, the Oath and the Word, Against overwhelming odds, for freedom for to stand - Put aside all differences, to free their native land... Today, others claim in a spirit of jest, To re-eneact the battle,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "1798 Rebellion"","block_context":{"text":"1798 Rebellion","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/irelands-wars\/1798-rebellion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cattle Graze by the Croppys Grave in Ballinamuck","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cattle-Graze-by-the-Croppys-Grave-in-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cattle-Graze-by-the-Croppys-Grave-in-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cattle-Graze-by-the-Croppys-Grave-in-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cattle-Graze-by-the-Croppys-Grave-in-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cattle-Graze-by-the-Croppys-Grave-in-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4660,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/because-the-sun-still-shines\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":3},"title":"Because The Sun Still Shines","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"24th April 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The sun shining tells us there are better times after the storm, worth remembering in these #COVID19 times","rel":"","context":"In "Current Affairs in Ireland"","block_context":{"text":"Current Affairs in Ireland","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/ireland\/current-affairs-in-ireland\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Renmore looking out on Lough Atalia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.celtichosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Renmore-looking-out-on-Lough-Atalia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.celtichosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Renmore-looking-out-on-Lough-Atalia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.celtichosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Renmore-looking-out-on-Lough-Atalia.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.celtichosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Renmore-looking-out-on-Lough-Atalia.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.celtichosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Renmore-looking-out-on-Lough-Atalia.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3968,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/1798-thinking\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":4},"title":"1798 Thinking","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"22nd September 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Thats 1798 thinking\" ~ Longford phrase meaning its an old fashioned notion and idealist, unlike modern reality To think like we did, in those distant days So unlike as we do in these modern times That all are equal and Irish, though Anglo or Scot Not answerable for their forefathers\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Current Affairs in Ireland"","block_context":{"text":"Current Affairs in Ireland","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/ireland\/current-affairs-in-ireland\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"1798 Thinking is what we need to return to, the tragic rebellion finished on these fields over the bogs of north Longford in and around the village of Ballinamuck","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Furze-and-Rushes-on-the-site-of-The-Battle-of-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Furze-and-Rushes-on-the-site-of-The-Battle-of-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Furze-and-Rushes-on-the-site-of-The-Battle-of-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Furze-and-Rushes-on-the-site-of-The-Battle-of-Ballinamuck.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3682,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/hilltops-adorned-by-man\/","url_meta":{"origin":4947,"position":5},"title":"Hilltops Adorned By Man","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"21st April 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Cairns of stone, for our dead Hilltops adorned Prayed to and turned to Communicate with the spirits Crosses of stone and iron, for our dying Hilltops adorned Climbed upon, prayed upon Communicate with our saints. Masts of Iron, for our living Hilltops adorned Beaming signals, making power Communicate with the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Environment","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Today, along with the cairn said to be a giants grave or a chieftans according to which legend you hear, this once sacred hill is home to a reflector mast. Notably there never was a crucifix put on top of this hill as there was on a lot of others.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cairn-Hill-in-Longford.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cairn-Hill-in-Longford.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cairn-Hill-in-Longford.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cairn-Hill-in-Longford.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cairn-Hill-in-Longford.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4947"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4953,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947\/revisions\/4953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}