Friday, November 7, 2014

The Problem with Women #poetry #feminism #4thwavefeminism #irishpoetry #ireland

The problem with women


I post about issues, many feminist in tone
Abuse of the female, inside the home
or out on the streets in full view of all
Or insidious lessons that make us feel small 
And I say every time not all men do this
A line in my stories some men seem to miss
And I say that the male is vulnerable too
I say men are mainly good, and it's  true.
But then the replies start derailing the thread
As some men read things I never actually  said
Answer accusations I didn't actually  make
Argue the point for argument's  sake
I can talk about women broken and battered
I can post about young girls whose dream have been shattered
Without needing instruction from men who feel slighted
You're not like that? Good. I'm fucking delighted.
Stop telling me that and read what I wrote
Open your hearts and start to take note
Because some of your kind are doing these acts
Don't be defensive just be aware of these facts
Give your opinion without the lecture. I'll  listen
And I'll happily learn if there's something  I'm  missing
But in return when I point out your own oversight 
Don't call me a feminazi for daring to be right.
shrugging off debate with an injured defence
"Oh! The trouble with women is they take such offence ."


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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Love letters of a busy life


To my husband Mark, who is currently trying not to nod off in work, having minded our poor sick baby all night in one room while I minded the poor sick toddler in another. And then we swopped. Some day my love, we'll sleep in the same bed, have a lie in, have breakfast in bed, have time to chat. Probably after the boys turn thirty. 

Hi, it's me
I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch
I see you every day, morning and night
so why write? well, our time is short
I seem to say hello, goodbye and sometimes
in between, a hurried I love you
but oh! it's not enough, my dear.
Here in my head we talk all the time
like we did when we were leisure rich.
I itch to tell you all the details of my day
and every way in which you touched them,
lightened them, help me carry the load.

Is there room
for love letters of the old type, the ones
that fill the spaces in a busy life? Recount
the dreams and hopes and fears of every day
renew the links that bind us to our life
and say, I would not live any other story
walk any other path, fight for any other cause
but you? You are my star, my stone, my roots 
and all there is to praise in heaven or on earth.
You may not know this but it's written there,
in shopping lists and texts about dinner -
whenever you read between the lines, it's there. 





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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Between Moments. new #poem #poetry

Between Moments

Colgate and shower gel
The scramble for clean clothes
Inhalers and toast-ready brek-stodge
And a glass of milk; where are the car keys?
Where are - shoes socks bags
Bottles nappies coats
(No not that coat that's not my good coat
I want my fireman sam coat)

Somewhere between milk and bags
You touch my arm
You smile or kiss or squeeze
You wink - we're in this together, love
We're a team; I don't know
Where I put his jumper/what I'd do
Without you. Between moments
Is where true love resides.

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Monday, April 21, 2014

Puddles - an adventure by Geraldine Moorkens Byrne #childrensbook

My very first children's book, beautifully illustrated by Austin Lysaght

Tells the story of Dara, a little boy who loves sunny days. When it rains he's very sad and bored....but rain brings puddles and puddles bring fun! Jump right in and enjoy this story ideal for 1-4 year olds.
Copyback:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/geraldine-moorkens-byrne/puddles/paperback/product-21308786.html?ppn=1

Hardback & full photobook version available at blurb.com










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