An illustration of Kilkenny Castle, in Ireland.‘Kilkenny Castle’ and Other Poetry by Lucia Haase The Society July 21, 2021 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 8 Comments . Kilkenny Castle A moat runs dry revealing secrets buried those conquerors and conquered knights had known. The past, a relic—bits and pieces carried, some seen in present life, some overgrown by history’s décor. And at its core A castle built of wood and later stone. We in the present beg to learn of more; there’s so much yet—we yearn for what’s not shown. It’s set in time along the River Nore, a shield itself, medieval wear beside a sword of truth. The towers as before lend greening views extending far and wide where thoughts of chivalry like sunsets glow in one’s imaginings of great Strongbow. . . Presently Today, I’m listening to quiet Time. Today my porch enjoys an eerie calm An echo in fresh air afar—the balm Of bird song, happy nests—a kind of rhyme. A moment’s happiness within this clime Seaside and lying ‘neath a winded palm… At least to me it seems a kind of psalm That beckons thoughts as near as from the chime Of my grandfather clock that’s there inside My house. It chimes a generation’s sorrow At what a border used to mean—a wide Horizon line is not a thing to harrow Or to bend in this quick life’s long stride, Which brings me from my porch to our tomorrow. . . Lucia Haase has several books of poetry published and was recently included in a poetry anthology titled Symphonies of the Wild Hearted available on Amazon.com. She also recently had poetry accepted by several publications including Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, The Long Islander, Nostalgia Press, The Raven’s Perch, and POEM publication. She lives in Spring Valley, Illinois. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 8 Responses Cynthia Erlandson July 21, 2021 Lovely imagery! Reply Lucia Haase July 21, 2021 Thank you Cynthia. So much appreciated! Reply Paul Freeman July 21, 2021 Two deceptively simple sonnets that yielded so much more on a second read. With ‘Kilkenny Castle’ I liked that rather than starting at the ramparts and the large, impressive structures of the castle, you started with the moat, contrasting what’s seen now, with what was seen then. I particularly enjoyed in ‘Presently’ that even the title is an integral part of a snapshot’s description. Thank you for the reads, Lucia. Reply Lucia Haase July 21, 2021 Thank you very much Paul. I’ve not seen this castle or any castle yet…but I can imagine from what I’ve read. I live in a small country town in Illinois surrounded by corn fields but have always felt drawn to the medieval era. The second poem has a hint of the terrible border crisis that is going on in Texas and other states in the USA under the current Presidency. Your reply is much appreciated. Thank you. Lucia Reply Margaret Coats July 22, 2021 Lucia, these sonnets create two distinct pleasant atmospheres, and both use an unusual sonnet structure. Rather than having a brief turn at about line 9, the turn in both is long and early, beginning with line 7 and going on for two or more lines with a center-of-the-poem reflection. Maybe I should say there’s a better-defined border in “Kilkenny Castle”! The stretch into the sestet in “Presently” illustrates your concern with southwestern border chaos, and this is well supported by the words “harrow,” “bend,” and “quick life’s long stride.” The obvious crisis is located near where the border once was, but the atrocious management of it impacts “tomorrow” almost everywhere in the nation. Soon enough, busloads or planeloads of persons are sent to diversify distant small country towns unequipped to meet an ongoing challenge. Reply Lucia Haase July 22, 2021 Hi Margaret, Thank you for your time and attention to my poems. Regarding Kilkenney Castle, I know…I do have a tendency to carry on with my lines. When I first learned to write sonnets, I used to incorporate a change of thought at the end of at least every other line. I still do that sometimes, but not always. Also, I agree with your comments on Presently. I thought afterward also…I wasn’t sure about the word ‘eerie’ in the second line. It doesn’t refer to being out on my porch writing…but thinking about illegal immigrants coming over the border and walking on and through the residents private property…a calm over the ranch lands and in the fields there…until that happens, that is. Thanks again. Reply Michael Dashiell July 28, 2021 Smooth and graceful, no wonder both poems are lovely. Reply Lucia Haase August 1, 2021 Thank you very much Michael! So much appreciated. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Paul Freeman July 21, 2021 Two deceptively simple sonnets that yielded so much more on a second read. With ‘Kilkenny Castle’ I liked that rather than starting at the ramparts and the large, impressive structures of the castle, you started with the moat, contrasting what’s seen now, with what was seen then. I particularly enjoyed in ‘Presently’ that even the title is an integral part of a snapshot’s description. Thank you for the reads, Lucia. Reply
Lucia Haase July 21, 2021 Thank you very much Paul. I’ve not seen this castle or any castle yet…but I can imagine from what I’ve read. I live in a small country town in Illinois surrounded by corn fields but have always felt drawn to the medieval era. The second poem has a hint of the terrible border crisis that is going on in Texas and other states in the USA under the current Presidency. Your reply is much appreciated. Thank you. Lucia Reply
Margaret Coats July 22, 2021 Lucia, these sonnets create two distinct pleasant atmospheres, and both use an unusual sonnet structure. Rather than having a brief turn at about line 9, the turn in both is long and early, beginning with line 7 and going on for two or more lines with a center-of-the-poem reflection. Maybe I should say there’s a better-defined border in “Kilkenny Castle”! The stretch into the sestet in “Presently” illustrates your concern with southwestern border chaos, and this is well supported by the words “harrow,” “bend,” and “quick life’s long stride.” The obvious crisis is located near where the border once was, but the atrocious management of it impacts “tomorrow” almost everywhere in the nation. Soon enough, busloads or planeloads of persons are sent to diversify distant small country towns unequipped to meet an ongoing challenge. Reply
Lucia Haase July 22, 2021 Hi Margaret, Thank you for your time and attention to my poems. Regarding Kilkenney Castle, I know…I do have a tendency to carry on with my lines. When I first learned to write sonnets, I used to incorporate a change of thought at the end of at least every other line. I still do that sometimes, but not always. Also, I agree with your comments on Presently. I thought afterward also…I wasn’t sure about the word ‘eerie’ in the second line. It doesn’t refer to being out on my porch writing…but thinking about illegal immigrants coming over the border and walking on and through the residents private property…a calm over the ranch lands and in the fields there…until that happens, that is. Thanks again. Reply