for Martin Hayes in the Juan Marsh, Madrid
He strokes the note on the first set of tunes
and I am away in my mind with the soothing
radio voice of Mac Mathuna’s Sunday mornings –
as I rise with the Lark in the Clear Air
outside my young self, the way Ferguson lays
it out in the poem, in the draíocht or duende
of the versatile fiddler Martin Hayes.
Soon I am drawn into a landscape of East Clare
dance rhythms with feet tapping in homage
to the Tulla Céilí Band and to PJoe his father,
touches of uncle Paddy Canny, no better boy
to Banish Misfortune between old friends
in the company of Rochford and Dr. Bill
who tried to heal wounds in small holdings.
The tune returns to its origin and another set
takes flight with a Bienvenido for new born son
Lorenzo whose mother’s all-time favourite
finds expression in a way only he can muster
from bow on string; soundscape his hallmark,
acervo or dúchas in the philosophy of music
befitting the wing-flap of the skylark.
John Liddy’s most recent publications are Arias of Consolation (2021/22); Slipstreaming in the West of Ireland (with Jim Burke, Revival Press 2024) and a collection of short stories Two in One (with Liam Liddy, Revival 2024)
He strokes the note on the first set of tunes
and I am away in my mind with the soothing
radio voice of Mac Mathuna’s Sunday mornings –
as I rise with the Lark in the Clear Air
outside my young self, the way Ferguson lays
it out in the poem, in the draíocht or duende
of the versatile fiddler Martin Hayes.
Soon I am drawn into a landscape of East Clare
dance rhythms with feet tapping in homage
to the Tulla Céilí Band and to PJoe his father,
touches of uncle Paddy Canny, no better boy
to Banish Misfortune between old friends
in the company of Rochford and Dr. Bill
who tried to heal wounds in small holdings.
The tune returns to its origin and another set
takes flight with a Bienvenido for new born son
Lorenzo whose mother’s all-time favourite
finds expression in a way only he can muster
from bow on string; soundscape his hallmark,
acervo or dúchas in the philosophy of music
befitting the wing-flap of the skylark.
John Liddy’s most recent publications are Arias of Consolation (2021/22); Slipstreaming in the West of Ireland (with Jim Burke, Revival Press 2024) and a collection of short stories Two in One (with Liam Liddy, Revival 2024)
