Moving On....2024: IRISH LINEN

Friday, March 8, 2019

A series of essays/poems....

STRADDLING THE COUNTY LINES OF GALWAY AND MAYO
ON THE L1601 NORTH OF LOUGH NAFOOEY

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

March 6, 2019

IRISH LINEN

I love the intense contrast between linen blues and natural greens.

Floating in the afternoon sun in waves of powdery freshness,

Crisp flags unfurled for all to see from vehicles passing by

To interested neighbors savoring the sweet scent of clean

While pushing babies in carriages and contemplating the dinner menu.

Framed like a montage of small, textured clips by creamy stucco posts

And sturdy wrought iron gates, we look from the outside....in.

Rationally we allow ourselves to ponder and speculate about

Whose deft hands created the uncomplicated beauty

Within this simple, Irish space.

Blues and lavenders punch through the soul of green pines,

Arborvitae, and a thick carpet of grasses accented by

Golden dandelions ripening in the autumn sun;

Dotting the landscape, they are left uncrushed by our mystery laundress.

One kilometer down the narrow road I ask to turn back.

The softened texture and dappled-light charm of this scene

Begged to be captured; insisted upon being preserved,

And shared with others. I knew that I was the person,

The observer, the vehicle, who could make this happen.

I love the imaginative stories behind these linen blues and natural greens.