Clare Island Ghost, by Peter Kelly

Clare Island Ghost, by Tony O'Malley (Ireland) 1989. Photo of book on Tony O'Malley by David Lynch. Photo taken by Peter Kelly.

Clare Island Ghost
 
Tony O’Malley, Oil on Board
Inscribed on reverse: "In memory of my dear cousin 
Michael Joe O’Malley - being buried today 
at Ballytoughey, Clare Island 10.08.1989" 
 
Leaving the quay for the northeast promontory 
For Michael Joe’s, to organic-farm stone-barn-café 
–now transformed.  
The clayed-flesh to the spade-ridges withdrawn   
Tunes to the far chime of Tibetan bells at dawn:
A whitewashed shed roots in earth reclaimed,
By Praeger’s count, floral species regenerate, 
Pollinators trace the brinked borage terrace,
Hazel and elder mount the hollow garden canvas, 
A canopy of broadleaves blanket Ballytoughey,
A mind retreats and soy milk helps cool the tea,
Respite is found from pushed and pedaled hills,
The echoing mounds of Mac Alla fall wind-still.
My daughter next to me, finds wonder in a scone
Decorating flowers, ‘til we find our ferry home.

Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly teaches and researches poetry in the ancient and modern worlds in Princeton University. He is originally from Galway, Ireland and much of his work considers ideas of place and displacement in shifting environments. He is the editor of a collected volume on Ekphrasis, which brings together creative and academic essays on the connections between the use of ekphrasis in ancient Greece and Rome, and contemporary poetry.        

Clare Island Ghost, by Tony O'Malley (Ireland) 1989. Photo of book on Tony O'Malley by David Lynch. Photo taken by Peter Kelly.