This is the second in a series of poems from Rónán’s book of poetry The Garden Wars.
The background to this poem is that I noticed the cowslip once again this year, kind of fragile looking in the ditch in amongst the hardier looking plants like the Dock or the Dandelion. I observed them all there again for the last month and this poem is the interaction I imagined between them. – Rónán Ó Snodaigh
The Cowslip’s Romance
So it’s all go in the hedgerow
No rest in the thicket, this time of the year
Hardly room to breathe
But the Cowslip looks like she has nothing to fear
Here in amongst her peers
The dandelions are easily embarrassed
They blush from ear to ear
Whenever she appears
So full of grace and unaware
In her frail and flimsy underwear
They fall over each other
Trying to catch her eye
They crowd around close
Throwing shapes and pulling poses
They cover whole fields
To show off their virility
But they overdo it
As they always do
It is their nature to
She stands out on her own, mysteriously
Bows her head and keeps her dignity somehow
So much for the sun, without her chosen one
Patiently she waits
Quietly deciding who she might consider
Worth falling for this spring
Even the cattle can’t get a sniff of her
From their side of the fence
But they eye her up all the same
And the ivy’s too busy with the Ash tree
Wrapped around his long tall trunk
In holy matrimony
Holding on for dear life
“Till death do us part”
She heard them say
“Till death do us part once again…”
She prays for the day
When her prince arrives proposing
With rings for her fingers
And flowers for her hand
To take her away
To the promised land
Copyright – Rónán Ó Snodaigh – Musician, Gardener & Poet
Born in Dublin on first day of 1970, Ronán is a prolific musician, writer and performer in both Irish and English. A founding member of world renowned trad/fusion band Kíla, Rónán is recognized as one of Ireland’s best and most innovative bodhrán players and percussionists and a highly original singer songwriter. He has been described by John Walsh (Hot Press) as ‘the living embodiment of Turlough O Carolan and Bob Marley’, and by a fan as ‘…The Jimi Hendrix of Bodhrán’
The Garden Wars is his first full volume of poetry.
To purchase a hard copy please click here: The Garden Wars
More information: Sarah Glennane – sarahglennane@gmail.com or call 086 4021179
