Michael Longley

It was with great sadness that we learnt of Michael Longley’s death. We have many memories of Michael’s connection with St Brigid’s, and his generosity of time and spirit. His funeral took place on St Brigid’s Day, a coincidence, that Michael would say was not a coincidence! In tribute to him, who was not only a great poet, but a true friend, we print his poem, CANTICLE, written for the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast, in which St Brigid is commemorated.

CANTICLE by Michael Longley

1

There must have been an oak grove hereabouts,

A stand of elms nearby, tell-tale places,

A celebration of rustling leaves, branches

That intertwine, a communion of saints:

My Derryvolgie canticle begins

With straw crosses plaited for Saint Brigid

And pinned up above everybody's door:

The Virgin Mary's midwife, so they say,

Who, the night before Spring, blesses our rags,

Hallowed with an inextinguishable

Ashless bonfire, her apron embroidered

With lady's-bedstraw, water-mint, thyme,

Her cloak a canopy for mountain hares

Whose undersides turn white at Christmastime:

Custodian of childhood's sticklebacks

She tickles the knowledgeable salmon

At the Minnowburn, at the Giant's Ring

Locates the god of creativity

All eyes beneath the constellations -

Look! Otters string bubbles up the Lagan,

Kingfishers illuminate the towpath.

11

It could well have been Brigid's bright idea,

This Chaplaincy, inglenook for peace-makers,

Space for students to take the bread and wine

And make of small talk something sacred –

Putting their minds to eternity they

Have found their way to Elmwood Avenue

And sing their canticles among the trees.