from The Great Hunger by Patrick Kavanagh

I've posted this in answer to a request. It's by Patrick Kavanagh 1905-1967 and has all sorts of resonances with earlier English village-agricultural poetry, especially George Crabbe although he is much sharper than Crabbe, and much crabbier! The verse is various and not ashamed to wander off into occasional prosy passages. That it is of a very high quality is obvious.

[@kg02170]

Fantastic,for an immigrant this brings back all the loving memories i have left behind,i do miss so so much
Thank you

[@andrewnorris1]

You read beautifully. You have an authentic voice that conveys the struggle of life working fields, wonderful. Lovely to hear Delius in the background.

[@rgartful]

Cold, astute, soul-crushing. Beautiful in its quiet horror.

[@apeso25]

THE best Irish poem ever.period! Poor Maguire....what a wasted life...

[@thebird000]

Lovely Stuff Chas. Your reading brought back memories of youth by the plough with my father. He is old now. God bless him and God bless you.

[@brychar66]

Thanks Tim, much appreciated. You must have some very happy memories.

[@mrssmokie]

Wonderful...Thank you for posting.

[@colfer222]

thankyou Chas....will look forward to visiting your site again...colin

[@tonycarton8054]

stunning great assessment when ireland got rid of one tyrant ,welcomed another yet he critiqued both

[@colfer222]

i think, to my untrained ear, your rendition is perfect!....thankyou...i also think the background music fits superbly,can you tell me what it is please?

[@bafr1]

nice one thought about doing this one , i think i n=may need elecution lessons first

[@Lochlainnone]

is it wizened or wisened

[@irishbred6923]

Ahhh patrick, go on back to Monagahan, where rain is constant, grey clouds are a sure thing, and depression is a given. Patrick, don't expect sympathy, you laid your head down.............................

[@Jp-zf7yg]

Go back to Dublin, antrim or Derry or where ever your from

[@Jp-zf7yg]

He did more than you'll ever do