The Bard of Gort

Springing free from glistening 
Fronds
The summers heat leaps for 
Height;
Whilst drifting obscurely far
Above 
A distant lark now hangs in 
Flight.

Floats down his sweet trill,
Accompanied by joyous and
Uplifting revelry,
Over the black crows nasal 
Calls;
Whose draped shadow,
contemplating devilry,
Flaps and furtively falls 
Into ripening bean fields 
Planted in neatly sowed rows:
Nourished in darkest till,
Enriched by pedantic verse of
Gaelic odes.

Do now these gentle Slopes 
Pause to yield
Where secretive song,
Bursting forth, is much concealed 
inside the plain of Aidhne;
For here the great rock of the 
Burren,
Whereby so implored upon,
Revealed its grey stones...
To rebuild ancient and deserted 
Thoor Ballylee.

Sweeping briskly past a tors 
Grassy island busy in bloom,
Eagerly cramming under four
Crouched arches,
Skim the borrowed waters of 
Thee immortal Cloone;
Dappling currents
Dawdling around squat stanchions -
Staunchly carrying the quiet bridge 
Over the old concourse:
Momentarily loitering -
Wantonly begging to coyly swoon...

Now, joyfully sporting in gushing 
Discourse,
Gleefully courting elusive and
Glimmering enchantments:
Mirrored reflections enticed to
Enter -
To be forever trapped within a 
Burbling rivers sacred rhyme and
Tune.

Higher and higher the spiraling
Stairs of de Burgo
When through airy woodland 
Glades
The towering shadow sought;
And higher and higher the spirit 
Of an ageing poet...
His crowding thoughts
Roaming freely amidst these
Fabled legends of Gort.

Harken then to the feathered 
Herald -
Tis Gods design that calls on 
Ye!
For few men know of what he 
Sings...
He sings of the forgotten paths 
Forever lost within Innisfree.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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12
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 22, 2021 at 9:39 PM
You could easily make this poem into 50 lines without changing a word John. I would love to see you choose this poem as one for the next Poetry Soup Anthology. It is one of my favorites and I hope you will consider being in the book. Blessings Connie
Rodd Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 1:17 PM
I had so many favorite lines in this poem. I loved the way you described the crow. They really do come across like that!! "draped shadow contemplating devilry!!" YEssss so spot on. This whole piece made me homesick for the hills of Scotland.
Fleming Avatar
May 29, 2018 at 3:25 AM
Thank you, Gayle...you are very kind. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the lateness of my reply; I work nights and over the last several months I became so exhausted that I even lost interest in poetry...feel a lot more refreshed now though. A real pleasure to make your acquaintance. My best regards! :) john
Shetley Avatar
September 11, 2017 at 12:08 PM
Wow, this is just some of the best imagery I have had the good fortune to read. You are a true talent.
Fleming Avatar
September 13, 2017 at 9:02 AM
Thank you, Thvia...your generous comments are very much appreciated -- you are very kind! My very warmest regards! :) john
Cresswell Avatar
August 18, 2017 at 8:29 AM
Beautiful, lyrical poem. Like a lullaby singing me home.
Fleming Avatar
August 18, 2017 at 8:57 AM
Thank you, Patricia. The poem is a tribute to my favourite poet, W. B Yeats; it celebrates the rebuilding of the Norman tower that he purchased as his summer retreat: Thoor Ballylee...thoor means tower in Gaelic. All my very warmest regards, Patricia - Cheers! :) john
Peterson Avatar
January 20, 2017 at 6:42 PM
What wonderful imagery and flow, ranging well past our most gifted poets. I was swept along by lines more numerous than I can cite, bolstered by your effortless rhyme. Magnificent!
Fleming Avatar
January 21, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Thank you, Mark...And please allow me to add that it is a real pleasure to become acquainted - Proud I am sure! All my very best - Cheers! :) john
Manassian Avatar
December 28, 2016 at 4:57 AM
What an enchanting journey you took me on, John. I especially liked the lines..."Momentarily loitering - Wantonly begging to coyly swoon..." The whole piece has lovely imagery. Wishing you a lovely New Year, dear. Hugs
Fleming Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 9:57 AM
Many thanks, Eileen. I am grateful you read the poem, and pleased you thought well of it...It is one of my favourite ones. Hope you have a lovely New Year - Cheers! :) john
Maverick Avatar
December 12, 2016 at 1:00 AM
I really like how this draws me into its folds and scenes John, I think I shall return to this piece again as I am pressed for time right now, all the best.'
Fleming Avatar
December 17, 2016 at 1:48 PM
Hi, Joe...Nice to hear from you again. Glad you enjoyed the poem; and thanks for the visit and kind comments - Much appreciated! My very warmest regards! :) john
Horsman Avatar
September 27, 2016 at 7:45 AM
Glad I found this one. Amazing poetry john, spellbound is the word. I feel.
Fleming Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 3:25 PM
Hello again, Harry...Very nice to hear from you once more! Many thanks for the visit and the really lovely comments - Much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john
Carter Avatar
September 19, 2016 at 11:37 PM
Love it
Fleming Avatar
September 21, 2016 at 3:28 PM
Stanley...Great to become acquainted! Many thanks for the return visit - Much appreciated! My very best regards! :) john
Teagan Avatar
September 17, 2016 at 1:40 AM
ah yes, I remember this one! I am so impressed by your writing. Beautiful.
Fleming Avatar
September 17, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Thank you, Becca...You truly are most kind! My very best regards as always. :) john
Brown Avatar
September 11, 2016 at 6:24 AM
This is very good, just lots n lots of big words, i'm going to have to skim the dictionary more, but still great job.... Signed, Tera Brown
Fleming Avatar
September 11, 2016 at 2:46 PM
Hello, Tera. A great pleasure for me to become acquainted with your good self...Very nice to meet you; And thank you for your positive comments - Much appreciated! My best regards, Tera. :) john
Johnson Avatar
August 28, 2016 at 6:30 PM
LOve your poetry here old mate... Have you lived awhile in west Queensland out in the red soil dust, Where the Crows will pick your eyes out, and bore water is a must:} Anything that cant get up, the Crows take the eyes first. This was the Drovers horror, If you fell of your horse and couldn't rise. I noticed the the Crows in the US have a squeakier voice, our Crows just go Ark.
Fleming Avatar
August 29, 2016 at 3:57 PM
Hi, Don. Nice to see you making a return visit to my little corner of the "Soup"...Always good to see you turning up! Many thanks for the comments - Most interesting! My very best regards, Don. :) john
Guzzi Avatar
August 27, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Couldn't find better inspiration for poetry than Ireland! Light & Love
Fleming Avatar
August 28, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Thank you, Debbie, for repaying the visit...Always a great pleasure for me to see you putting in an appearance upon my humble pages - Much obliged! My very best regards. :) john
Lewis  Avatar
August 27, 2016 at 1:03 AM
Totally brilliant - language from another world 7! ###########ps thanks for the write up on my work
Fleming Avatar
August 27, 2016 at 6:02 AM
Gail, you do me much honour with your high praise - Thank you!! My very best regards! :) john P.s I will be re-visiting your page again very soon.
Lindley Avatar
August 22, 2016 at 4:12 PM
IMMORTAL beauty cast forth in this image filled feast my friend. I am of Viking/Irish/English bloodlines on my father's side. Having never been to see Ireland myself this gem glowed for me. Truly you did Yeats proud and this is an honor for me to add to my fav list.. A7
Lindley Avatar
January 2, 2017 at 5:45 AM
I have added this gem to my fav list and had the immense pleasure of rereading this gem several times. You have indeed given great tribute to the great man himself. My apologies for this late reply. I can not keep up with my correspondence as of late due to my health issues..... "Enter - To be forever trapped within a Burbling rivers sacred rhyme and Tune." ^^^^^ Pure gold.
Fleming Avatar
September 3, 2016 at 4:20 PM
Robert, I would regard this as a tribute to the great man himself if you was to add this to your "Favs" list; Yeats is my favourite poet. Your kind words are always very much appreciated by me! You will find a warm welcome here at anytime, Robert...my good friend. My very best regards. :) john P.s Please accept my sincerest apologies for the late reply...I have been extremely busy with work recently.
Ink-U-Script Avatar
August 8, 2016 at 6:39 AM
A powerful pen...had to stop by for inspiration. A great way to start my day. INK-U-SCRIPT :)
Fleming Avatar
August 9, 2016 at 3:56 PM
Hello, Pace. Please allow me to state that it is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance...Nice to know you! Many thanks for the lovely comments - Very much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john
Raven Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Hi John, an excellent write does come forth from your golden pen and flows down the page painting your canvas wiyh such wonderful images. You have such a wonderful way with words. When one comes away from reading one of your works one knows they have read true poetry. You are a true wordsmith my friend. This piece has such wonderful content within each stanza. It has been an honour and a pleasure to read this piece. This has to be a seven and a fave. Have a good day....Mike.
Fleming Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Mike, it is always a real pleasure for me to know you have dropped by and called in to make a much welcomed visit - Great to see you turning up! Hope you are healthy and happy....And good to see you back on the soup amongst your good friends again. Your kind and generous comments are, as ever, very much appreciated, Mike. My very best regards...And warmest wishes of course. Your friend. :) john
Yvonne Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 5:58 AM
You did Yeats proud my friend. I do believe Angels released whispers of poetic breaths into your lungs when you were just a newborn. You take your God given gift seriously and create these masterpieces. As for me the blessing is being to read over and over your words hoping a hint of your talent might touch my hands. A Fav. Love, Armand.
Fleming Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 4:17 PM
Armand...My dearest friend! I had nearly given up all hope of hearing from you - Such a great pleasure for me to see you visiting once again! You always pay me such wonderful comments; without the support of people like your good-self and Connie I think I may well have given up writing entirely. I have not published anything for quite a while, but, I am slowly regaining my enthusiasm...It is just a matter of making the time. Rest assured I shall be paying you a return call very soon. Many thanks, Armand! My very best regards...And my warmest wishes always. Your friend. :) john
Breidenthal Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 6:48 PM
You certainly know how to set up a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere, revolving around this gallant creature, the lark. I also love this moment: "Nourished in darkest till Enriched by pedantic verse of Gaelic odes."..you sure do immerse the senses with your descriptive and artful words. Truly mesmerising and an enjoyable read, John. Always, Laura
Fleming Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Hi, Laura. Always a great pleasure for me to see you have visited my page once more...You know of course you are always more than welcome here. I am pleased you enjoyed the read, and yes, you are quite right, Laura...He is a gallant little creature! My very best regards...As always :) john
Teagan Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 7:24 AM
John, this is stunning. I truly enjoyed this one. I'm in awe of your ability to write like this!
Fleming Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 11:13 AM
You have accorded my work some very lovely accolades over the last day or two, Becca...And these words of yours left here are no exception; I am truly most grateful for your interest and support - Thank you so very much! My very best regards....And my warmest wishes, Becca. :) john
Promise Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 6:22 AM
Great penmanship. Puts me back into my Literature class - "seeing" and "feeling" what the author "sees" and "feels"! I capture the imagery and was with you all the way. God bless, RP.
Fleming Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Thank you, R.B Promise. If this is what you experienced as you read the poem then I have accomplished my goal. Many thanks for the visit and kindly comments - It is always very much appreciated! My very best regards...And warmest wishes. :) john
May Avatar
June 4, 2016 at 7:07 PM
A magical write John
Fleming Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Hello, Joseph. Good to see you visiting once again. Thank you for the nice comment - Always appreciated! My very best regards! :) john
Alexandropoulou Avatar
June 3, 2016 at 1:41 AM
Enchanting.
Fleming Avatar
June 3, 2016 at 5:32 PM
Hello, Archontoul. Thank you so very much for dropping in to peruse my poem...You are most welcome here! Your visit and kind comment are very much appreciated - Cheers! :) john
Chalise Avatar
June 1, 2016 at 1:48 PM
An interesting poem very deep and enthralling to bathe. I loved it.
Fleming Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 2:25 AM
Hello, Deepak. Allow me to say that it is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance - Very pleased I am to know you! Thank you for visiting and leaving me such kind comments. My very best regards to you, Deepak. :) john
Sietesantos Avatar
June 1, 2016 at 7:30 AM
The more I read wonderfully conceived and constructed pieces such as this one, the more I learn how to improve my writing skills, John! I thoroughly enjoyed the read and it's definitely a - 7! Best regards. Pandita
Fleming Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 2:20 AM
Hello again, Pandita. Thank you so very much for the visit and kind remarks - it is praise like this that motivates and encourages me to carry on! My very best regards, Pandita...And my warmest wishes. :) john
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