2020, Memories. A poem by Fidel Hogan Walsh

Blinded in a winter’s dread no prophet foresaw.
Spring’s new life erupted into a chaos of fear.
Desolation replaced the warmth of a hug.
Children banished from our everyday lives!

Ah, the blessings — a swift journey home
to the unexpected happiness under one roof.
Chatter, laughter —
a family enduring dark days
come what may!

Time, the pickpocket of memories — stood still.
Watching — new ways of keeping our spirits alive,
to be remembered, cherished.
Lost moments recaptured before summer’s end!

An Invisible killer started a war,
so much pressure on our frontline.
But, it would be —
‘Love and Stay at Home’
that had their backs!

Death came at a fast pace.
Isolation the enemy of a treasured last goodbye —
grief mourned in silent lockdown.

And now,
the road to healing shattered hearts and souls begins!

………….

One day Fidel put her passion for words into action: exorcising her demons and using poetry to express a more positive outlook on life. She has performed at Intercollective, during Poetry Day Ireland, Heritage Week, The Next Chapter, Culture Night and at ‘A Haunting’, a theatrical event organised by Bailieborough Creative Hub of which Fidel is a founding member and who are responsible for the hugely successful “Welcome to Poetry Town” event featured on RTE’s Six One News. She has also been involved in two Cross Border Peace IV Projects and has written poems for both Fidel’s first collection of poems ‘Living with Love’ was launched on the 8th February 2020.