Going Home

Theo Dorgan

i.m. Manos Kazakopoulos

Come, Kapetan, we’ve a fair wind for Ikaria,

a sound boat and a steady crew – you know them well,

friends of your youth, good companions all.

Give me your hand and step aboard; the night

is coming on, we’ve a star or two to steer by,

come sit here by the helm and take your ease.

South-east to clear the roads then round to the north –

how many times have we made this course

on good days and bad, all these long years?

Dear friend, just think of it, so many journeys,

such treasure of memory stored in our bones!

How fortunate we have been in our wanderings

over the broad sea, the fruitful, fragrant earth –

and what have we learned? That all voyages

have a beginning and an end. Just so.

They will be lighting the lamps in Agios Kirikos,

setting the tables, gathering to the tavernas,

an eye to the harbour entrance, the incoming craft –

a fine welcome they’ll have for you, home at last

to a berth under the Atheras, under the olives.

Friend, we are at your service, give the command.

Poetry Ireland Review Issue 121:

Edited by Eavan Boland

Eavan Boland's first issue as editor of Poetry Ireland Review aims to encourage a conversation about poetry which is 'noisy and fractious certainly ... but a conversation nevertheless that can be thrilling in its reach and commitment'. There are new poems from Thomas McCarthy, Jean Bleakney, Wendy Holborow, Paul Perry, Aifric Mac Aodha, and many others, while the issue also includes work from Brigit Pegeen Kelly, with an accompanying essay on the poet by Eavan Boland. Eavan Boland also offers an introduction to the work of poet Solmaz Sharif, while there are reviews of the latest books from Simon Armitage, Peter Sirr, Lo Kwa Mei-en, and Vona Groarke, among others. PIR 121 also includes Theo Dorgan's elegiac tribute to his friend John Montague – a canonical poet, in contrast to the emerging poets Susannah Dickey, Conor Cleary and Majella Kelly, who contribute new work and will also read for the Poetry Ireland Introductions series as part of ILFD 2017.