The dverse prompt this evening is a serious one, to take a quote from someone who spoke out about social justice, human rights, or equality and use it in a poem. I haven’t chosen a peaceful quote, because in some circumstances and in some epochs, peace was not an option. As a child, I remember heated Michael Collins versus de Valera arguments at family gatherings fifty years after Collins was assassinated. This is a quote of his I’m fond of. The words of the quote are in bold.
The gift that he gave us was to
Give us the future,
Though the future would be tough,
And much blood was left to shed.
But we’d had enough of hunger,
Eight centuries and more, so
We’ve had enough of your past
He said, let us build our own today.
He made them Give us back our country,
Our fields and our townships,
To live in, as our hearts say,
And to grow in, as a people,
And he dared to tell them why,
We would fight to have them gone—
That a country is a home,
A country is to Love.
Loved this. My response is a musical one.
I agree, Paul, and that’s a humdinger of a choice. I was thinking of something by Christy Moore, too. This is perfect!
Christy Moore is one of my favourites too, Kim 🙂
I was friends with his cousin, who used to babysit for me. She took me along to a gig once and introduce us.
That counts almost like meeting royalty, only better 🙂
Perfect, Paul!
Thanks for that. There is something special in the Irish self image and in the actual history of the people that can’t be denied.
Made me all nostalgic this did.
And so it should.
I do love this… sometimes we just have to stand up for what we believe in… change usually takes time, and the pioneers rarely live to harvest.
Thanks Bjorn. Collins knew they would get him one way or another. I admire people who stick to their principles.
A wonderful write!!!
Thank you, Annell 🙂
This is powerful.
Thank you. Collins was a powerful if untaught speaker.
Great words, from him, and from you. You framed it well.
Thanks Sarah. He was a great man, human with failings, but a great man nonetheless.
Powerful and emotional, and I love how you used his words in your own extrapolation on them, especially that last line.
It’s hard to imagine a politician nowadays asking to be allowed to love his country. I can’t imagine the word ‘love’ crossing any of their lips at all.
Some, I can imagine; they’re not all terrible people. But my current administration, even if they said it, I wouldn’t believe it.
Like you, I’d be extremely sceptical if ever I heard it.
Very moving. I am really enjoying reading the poems of this challenge. I like how they give historical and personal context to the quotes.
Thank you 🙂 Yes, I agree, the prompt is stirring strong emotions.
I love the powerful message of loving one’s country and home!
It possibly needs an occupying army to make you realise how much 🙂
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Thank you, and I will.
A passionate tribute to a great nationalist, Jane! I recall how inspiring seeing the movie “Michael Collins” was. Great write!
I think he was too close to the people to have had ideas of ‘nation’. That was more de Valera. Collins just wanted the English out and to be able to do things the Irish way. If that involved paying lip service to the Empire, he would have accepted it.
Nice quote by Collins.
It is a good one, I think.
You’ve echoed and built on the strength in the quote. Gives me shivers. (K)
He was a real man of the people. Not a statesman, and not a speaker. What he said came from the heart.
I like what you did with this one!
Dwight
Thank you. It wasn’t an easy prompt.
The idea that anyone should be forced to live another’s past — for what, nostalgia’s sake? — is inconceivable. That a whole country would be suppressed so that another can live in the present and for the future just goes to show that the world is not as progressive and enlightened as it wants to believe. Great job on the prompt, Jane.
Thank you. I think Collins was thinking of the occupation that had gone on for hundreds of years, and for all that time denying the indigenous population the right to live as they had before, to the extent of making the speaking of the Irish language, like practicing the Catholic religion an offence. They were not allowed to own any land and lived in conditions of misery more abject than the plantation slaves in America, according to Engels. It was theft of the past and denial of a future. I’m pleased you liked it 🙂
Wow, Jane!
Powerful and passionate. I liked the way you wove his words into yours.
Thanks! Collins was a passionate speaker, by all accounts, and he spoke a language the people understood.
This is a brave and honest poem
Thank you, Candy. Glad you liked it.
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Cheers, Michael!
Strong poem, well said. I like the way you embedded the quote I this.
Thank you! I’m pleased you enjoyed the sentiments of the poem 🙂
powerful writing indeed built around a powerful quote.. it is so inspirational..
Thank you! I’m glad you like Collins’ words. I think he truly meant them.