Gardening Fatigue by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

Over the coming year we will be publishing a series of poems from Rónán's book of poetry The Garden Wars.

"This is a winter poem, when the work is over for the gardener. Sometimes in a garden there are spots from where you can't be seen, gardeners who like to smoke cigarette now and then often find themselves in one of these spots. This poem is a reflective winter poem written from behind the shed. - Rónán Ó Snodaigh
Note: contains the odd curse

Gardening Fatigue
Its not everyday the sun comes in here
To this dark little corner of the garden
Under the trees
Behind the shed
Hidden from all but me

And my role is reduced to wandering amongst the weeds
Who are fast asleep
Lost in a dream

Under a sheet of frost
And a blanket of snow

How glorious were they this summer in the thick of it
How brave the blossoms they bore
And how far they flung their seed
We’ll soon see next season

They all look so tidy tucked into their beds
Eyes closed
So composed and serene
And the little ruffled tufts on their heads
They almost look angelic

You wouldn’t think they were the same
Crop of scavangers that came in here last year
Ripped up my plants
Ate all the topsoil
And fought like savages, over who got to see the sun
Shelter from the rain
Or sit in the shade all day nursing their psychological wounds

And I’m not sure
When I interfere
Do I reduce or exasperate the climate of fear

Fear of hunger
Fear of thirst
Fear of frost or worse
Fear of rot and mould
Fear of they neighbour young and old
‘’f**k off, this is my patch
Don’t give a shite how many seeds you have to sow
No means no, now f**k off!”

And there’s a reason the daffodil hangs her head in April.

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

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