‘When all the others were away at Mass’                                        by Seamus Heaney
When all the others were away at Mass
I was all hers as we peeled potatoes.                                                                 They broke the silence, let fall one by one Like solder weeping off the soldering iron: Cold comforts set between us, things to share Gleaming in a bucket of clean water.                                                           And again let fall. Little pleasant splashes From each other’s work would bring us to our senses.
So while the parish priest at her bedside
Went hammer and tongs at the prayers for the dying And some were responding and some were crying
I remembered her head bent towards my head,
Her breath in mine, our fluent dipping knives – Never closer the whole rest of our lives.
Warrior Woman                                        by Sinead Quinn
I’m often a nightmare, way more than you know,                                                      Swinging in seconds from happy to low.                                                                 Sun shining brightly or skies are all grey,                                                                I’ve always too much or too little to say.
So I don’t keep it in- then why would I try?                                                              Why should I be the only one wondering why                                                             My heart feels so empty, just useless and numb,                                                          Still I know, deep within, I’ve got strength left to come.
Go ahead, knock me down, I bounce back on my feet,                                                     Try to set me on fire, I just don’t feel the heat,                                                              I won’t hurt you back, it’s just not my style,                                                             Even though you’re determined to shatter my smile.
‘Cos I’ve known hurt and pain, believe me, still do                                                         And it’s so hard to live with, I’ll not wish it on you,                                                         But when God lays me down on the darkest of nights,                                                     The fighter within me tells me I’ll be alright.
‘Cos I’m a warrior woman like the legends of old,                                                         The Joans and the Grainnes and other brave bold,                                                      Don’t dare dampen my spirit or silence my cry,                                                         Proud warrior woman I will be till I die.