The Allure of Irish Romantic Poetry: A Creative Journey

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings. I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

~William Butler Yeats, "Lake Isle of Innisfree"

For two weeks, I took creative inspiration from Irish Romantic poetry, Irish culture, and the landscape to help me write my own poetry collection in Ireland. I composed 80 short lyrical poems drawing from Romantic themes and traditions, as well as family stories of my own Irish ancestors. In Ireland, I spent my time reading and annotating Romantic Irish poetry, journaling, and writing poems. Mary Tighe, Robert Moore, and William Butler Yeats were my primary interests. Tighe and Moore were Romantic poets, while Yeats, a modernist, considered himself a mystic and wrote many Romantically influenced pieces, especially in his early works– my focus.

 I spent time reading the works of Tighe, Moore, and Yeats as well as several other local Romantic era poetry chapbooks in the manuscript archives of the National Library of Ireland in Dublin, journaling about the scenery and Irish culture, and writing poetry. Each day consisted of reading, exploring my settings through long walks, meeting new faces, and writing.

I kept a creative journal for jotting ideas, phrases, memories, family stories, and events, which helped me to write as I reflected deeply on the spontaneous moments and emotions that stood out to me. I spent several hours walking every day to see as much natural scenery and historic sites as possible, which is a key source of inspiration in my work. Each day, I spent time journaling and writing poems, drawing from Romantic themes, the landscape and sites, my family stories, and the culture and music. I visited 12 Aungier Street in Dublin, the birthplace of Thomas Moore as well as many of the sites that were essential to Yeats's early works, including visiting his grave in Sligo. On several occasions, I recited poetry with strangers in busy pubs, with music playing all around.

The death is true When that last yellow rose Hits the earth. The soil, damp turned-fresh Is a hole indifferent in the ground, The people just familiar strangers Gathered as any from the street, The polished wood just a lovely Carved box, nothing more. But when that last yellow rose Hits the unforgiving earth, The death is true. Forgive me if I hold it In my bleeding palm For just a while longer.

Original poem, "Yellow rose."

Music was a key source of inspiration, so I surrounded myself with live music and listened to Irish Romantic music and traditional Irish music while writing. I went to traditional live music sessions nearly every night and even sang several traditional songs which was an enriching source of cultural immersion and led to many meaningful connections with locals, which served as inspiration for many of my poems. Further, I enjoy setting my poetry to music and hope to eventually turn several poems into songs, drawing from Celtic traditions. I thus took inspiration from Thomas Moore’s Irish Melodies, which were composed with the intent of being sung, and I've listened repeatedly to his Irish Melodies in their original musical setting. Writing melodic poetry will help me to set them to music in the future and further pursue my affinity for composition. 

Thick, damp air creeps Over the sleeping town, Carrying on its back, flashing- white wailing souls. Little birds flock in its wake, black wings flapping, Their fallen feathers dropping A trail of their flight To be found in the morning. At the cracked and chiseled shore, Churning water off the murky floor, Butter-foam of sea mouth gurgles, Spitting wild dreams into the minds of all the dreaming. When cracks the neck And droops Lightning’s head, The shimmering scales Of water beasts shed, And brewing in the water At Dawn’s rising tide, Hungering, naked serpents, Each ruthless souls of the restless who’ve died.

Original poem, "Over a sleeping town."

Two weeks and 80 poems later, I've strengthened my ability as a poet and feel I've made great strides in finding my voice and style. I also deeply enjoyed reading so much of Tighe, Moore, and Yeats. I found that I was most drawn to the works of Yeats, and was profoundly moved and inspired by the same sites he was inspired by in County Sligo. I have a much better understanding of Irish Romantic poetry and have an even greater appreciation for its lush, emotive nature than I had before. The Irish landscape was essential in my works, as themes of nature were central to nearly all of my poems. It was quite sad leaving Ireland as I so loved my time there and I know that someday I'll return and continue to explore the rich history, scenery, and culture.

The golden veil delicate, Illuminates each rising breath Of sea mist, Each minute, closer The chilly water gets. The sand a tabula rasa, Each day capturing memories Of the bodies who walked and stood gazing at the dark horizon, Each day erasing memories Of the bodies who walked and stood, Awaiting the homecoming of ships Beyond the dark horizon. The evidence of their reunions Have long since rinsed away, And the tears that rolled slowly from face to golden sand Have been mixed into that endless body Of waves and salt. The wood of wrecked ships Have been drawn back out to sea, And sunken, resting on the floor The golden rings they carried— The sailors, who gazed toward Knocknarea in her arrogant glory, Just beyond the dark horizon. Below her cliffs stood waiting in the sand, Their dark-haired girls Who would have looked lovely In gold.

The trip was even more impactful than I'd expected. I was surprised by both my ability to make new friends and meaningful connections abroad as well as how comfortable I felt on days of solitude. In my daily life, I'm consistently surrounded by familiar faces, and it's often rare that I'm alone for days at a time, or surrounded by countless new faces. It was a huge opportunity for growth in both regards, and I was delighted to have the solo travel experience which boosted my confidence for pursuing future travels and adventures.

Further, it was truly incredible to connect with my Irish heritage and the rich history of the land and people. The people were so friendly and generous, and the music was so enriching. I was inspired by nearly everything surrounding me, and I felt so alive during the course of the trip. I was very happy with my work and achieved much more than I'd hoped. I feel more confident in my poetry and am very excited to continue in my journey as a writer, especially as I hope to pursue further travels in the future.

In lonesome cottage I mend my wear, The roof crumbles slow but not I care, For my Eion rests in the field o’er yonder, Years now make since that first weeping hour. The fields lay fallow but my flow’rs I tend, For each day at the stone I bend, And single blooming flower lay, To comfort him each passing day. The bog each walk does wet my feet, But I feel it not and gather my peat, That the hearth might warm me in the night, And warm my dreams with Eion’s sight. My hair each strand like the sky grows gray, And somber but eager I await the day, That my flow’rs by weeds are taken o’er, For when I’m with him, I’ll need them no more.

Original poem, "From a worn cottage."

I'm currently editing my poetry and working to create a poetry chapbook of my work. A copy will be given to Tutt Library as a piece of my give back to the CC community. Later this spring semester I will host a casual poetry open mic to allow anyone with an interest in poetry at CC to share their favorite works and their own poetry, and to share some of mine as well. My ultimate goal is to publish a full poetry collection down the road.

Thank you so much Keller Family for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I will remember it forever!