{"id":21984,"date":"2025-05-26T15:36:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T15:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/?page_id=21984"},"modified":"2025-06-22T16:26:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T16:26:49","slug":"poetry-in-the-parks-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/the-unfinished-book-of-poetry\/poetry-in-the-parks-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Poetry in the Parks 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><center><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/UFB2025Covershare.jpg\" border=\"1\" width=\"492\" height=\"381\"\/>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n<p>The following poems have been selected from twelve poets published in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/the-unfinished-book-of-poetry\/\">The Unfinished Book of Poetry 2025<\/a><\/em>, and are being displayed in Cork City Library&#8217;s <em><strong>Poetry in the Parks<\/strong><\/em> project during the summer, via installations in Marina Park, Fitzgerald&#8217;s Park, Tramore Valley Park, Ballincollig Regional Park, Gerry O\u2019Sullivan Park and the Blarney Sanctuary Walkway. The displays are part of the 2025 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie\/\">Cruinni\u00fa na n\u00d3g<\/a><\/strong> festival. Audio recordings of the twelve poets reading these poems are also accessible via QR code in the park displays.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Cork Educate Together Secondary School<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Ballincollig Regional Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/1-Loud-and-Quiet-Gaspar-Napora.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/1-Loud-and-Quiet-Gaspar-Napora.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/1-Loud-and-Quiet-Gaspar-Napora.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Loud and Quiet<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Gaspar Napora<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>The room is quiet<br \/>\nand so am I,<br \/>\nthe outside world<br \/>\nis too loud.<\/p>\n<p>My land was taken,<br \/>\nall I know is gone,<br \/>\nmy only belongings<br \/>\nmy mind and my thoughts.<\/p>\n<p>No one understands<br \/>\nme, their language is foreign.<br \/>\nI don\u2019t belong,<br \/>\nwe don\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s quiet again<br \/>\nbut I am speaking,<br \/>\nthere will be change<br \/>\nand I will start it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Cork Educate Together Secondary School<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Ballincollig Regional Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/2025\/audio\/Wind-and-Rain-Alisha-Zafar.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/2025\/audio\/Wind-and-Rain-Alisha-Zafar.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/2025\/audio\/Wind-and-Rain-Alisha-Zafar.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>I am from<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>R\u00edain O\u2019Connor<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>those grassy greens in West Cork,<br \/>\nfrom the chair by the fire, glistening.<\/p>\n<p>I am from family board games<br \/>\nand movie nights. From Tim and Ted,<br \/>\nthe grandads that could fix anything.<\/p>\n<p>I am from summer nights in a field.<br \/>\nI am from Christmas magic and belief,<br \/>\nfrom a Sunday roast, steak and chips.<\/p>\n<p>From messing with my friends<br \/>\nand working hard. I am from Turner\u2019s Cross<br \/>\nevery Friday night. I am from Cork, born and bred.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Terence MacSwiney Community College<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Gerry O\u2019Sullivan Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/3-The-Mysterious-Mysteries-of-a-Blobfish-Colum-Hogan.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/3-The-Mysterious-Mysteries-of-a-Blobfish-Colum-Hogan.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/3-The-Mysterious-Mysteries-of-a-Blobfish-Colum-Hogan.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>The Mysterious Mysteries of a Blobfish<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   by <b>Colum Hogan<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Blobfishes come from far deep<br \/>\nIn the ocean depths<br \/>\nThey don\u2019t really do much<br \/>\nOther than lie and watch other fish<br \/>\nOne fish, two fish, three fish they\u2019ll be counting.<br \/>\nBlobfishes don\u2019t know anything about themselves<br \/>\nCan they grow legs? They don\u2019t know.<br \/>\nCan they go into space? They don\u2019t know.<br \/>\nCan they run for president? They really don\u2019t know.<br \/>\nThey stand on wet rocks<br \/>\nThinking about life.<br \/>\nThey will never know the truth.<br \/>\nAbout what they really are.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Terence MacSwiney Community College<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Gerry O\u2019Sullivan Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-4\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/4-Magnifying-Innocence-Mikayla-Ryan.mp3?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/4-Magnifying-Innocence-Mikayla-Ryan.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/4-Magnifying-Innocence-Mikayla-Ryan.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Magnifying Innocence<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Mikayla Ryan<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>In the floral garden<br \/>\nthe four small feet run.<br \/>\nCrushing the flowers in their path.<br \/>\nThe dull sky doesn\u2019t seem to dampen<br \/>\nthe mood or quiet the giggles.<br \/>\nThe echo of their laughter<br \/>\ncoming in the house like a draft.<br \/>\nThe muck on their clothes<br \/>\nand the grass on their shoes<br \/>\nmagnifying their innocence, old or new.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"490\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/MikaylaCentred.jpg\" border=\"0\"\/><br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">Mikayla and her siblings in Gerry O\u2019Sullivan Park<\/font><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Terence MacSwiney Community College<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<\/center><center><font size=\"1\">(installed at Marina Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-5\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/5-My-Sister-Svea-Johansson-Aherne.mp3?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/5-My-Sister-Svea-Johansson-Aherne.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/5-My-Sister-Svea-Johansson-Aherne.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>My Sister<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; by <b>Svea Johansson Aherne<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Sisters are like best friends, no doubt,<br \/>\nAlways there, through all the ups and downs,<br \/>\nLaughing at jokes that only we get,<br \/>\nMaking memories that we won\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019s got my back when things get tough,<br \/>\nWith her by my side, I can\u2019t get enough,<br \/>\nLate night talks and silly fights,<br \/>\nWith her, every moment just feels right.<\/p>\n<p>From inside jokes to shared dreams,<br \/>\nLife\u2019s a blast, or so it seems,<br \/>\nSo here\u2019s to my sister, my partner in crime,<br \/>\nTogether forever, one day at a time.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Ashton School<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<\/center><center><font size=\"1\">(installed at Marina Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-6\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/6-Bus-Home-Maria-Mos.mp3?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/6-Bus-Home-Maria-Mos.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/6-Bus-Home-Maria-Mos.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Bus Home<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; by <b>Maria Mos<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>I take the bus home.<br \/>\nI\u2019m surrounded by strangers.<br \/>\nI\u2019m in my own world.<\/p>\n<p>I look out the window,<br \/>\nand see the rain pour down.<br \/>\nEvery individual drop illuminated<br \/>\nby the glow of the street lights.<\/p>\n<p>I have my headphones on<br \/>\nwith my favourite song on repeat.<br \/>\nI\u2019m going home.<br \/>\nThis peace won\u2019t last.<\/p>\n<p>So I sit there,<br \/>\nlooking out the window.<br \/>\nHoping that the bus takes<br \/>\njust five minutes longer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Ashton School<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Fitzgerald&#8217;s Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-7\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/7-Noise-Orlaith-James.mp3?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/7-Noise-Orlaith-James.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/7-Noise-Orlaith-James.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Noise<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; by <b>Orlaith James<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Walking on leaves, gravel and<br \/>\nSmooth tarmac,<br \/>\nBreezing in twists and spirals<br \/>\nOf euphoric fortune.<\/p>\n<p>A beat resonates from the river,<br \/>\nReverberates underfoot.<\/p>\n<p>Step-step; step. Step.<\/p>\n<p>The city operates to the beat.<br \/>\nI walk with it<br \/>\nGuiding me<br \/>\nLike waves at my back.<\/p>\n<p>Push-push; push. Push.<\/p>\n<p>Jangling chained dogs are dodged,<br \/>\nCracks are overstepped,<br \/>\nLouder thuds,<br \/>\nLanguid leisurely folks are overtaken,<br \/>\nConstruction cracks and bluntly bangs,<br \/>\nTyres roll with waves and engines roar.<\/p>\n<p>Noise-noise; noise. Noise.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Ashton School<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Fitzgerald&#8217;s Park)<\/font> <\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-8\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/8-Awake-Tired-Hungry-Asleep-Aurelius-Weber-Shevchenko.mp3?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/8-Awake-Tired-Hungry-Asleep-Aurelius-Weber-Shevchenko.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/8-Awake-Tired-Hungry-Asleep-Aurelius-Weber-Shevchenko.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Awake, Tired, Hungry, Asleep<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Aurelius Weber-Shevchenko<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Awake,<br \/>\nJumpy Heart.<br \/>\nFeeling Blood Stumble.<br \/>\nTime Passes By Uncontrollably,<br \/>\nYou Try To Hold On.<br \/>\nSalt Water Fills Your Sockets.<br \/>\nCry Til Eyes Wade.<br \/>\nNegligibly Flooding Over\u2014<br \/>\nSullen Beaches.<br \/>\nTired.<\/p>\n<p>Hungry.<br \/>\nAlready Full.<br \/>\nHalf-Realised Reality\u2014<br \/>\nComforts Your Stomach Pit.<br \/>\nSpend Your Time In Ignorance.<\/p>\n<p>They Will See Light Within,<br \/>\nIgnore The Kinder Words.<br \/>\nBeautiful? Loving? No.<br \/>\nThink\u2026 Cry\u2026<br \/>\nAsleep.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Col\u00e1iste an Phiarsaigh<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Blarney Sanctuary Walkway)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-9\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/9-Mo-Bhrod-Ruby-Ni-Drisceoil.mp3?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/9-Mo-Bhrod-Ruby-Ni-Drisceoil.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/9-Mo-Bhrod-Ruby-Ni-Drisceoil.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Mo Bhr\u00f3d<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; by <b>Ruby N\u00ed Drisceoil<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Ag breathn\u00fa ar mo chol ceathar \u00f3g,<br \/>\nagus \u00ed ag l\u00e9im suas ar an luasc\u00e1n,<br \/>\ncos\u00fail le gur dh\u00e9an m\u00e9 nuair a bh\u00ed m\u00e9 \u00f3g freisin.<\/p>\n<p>T\u00e1 s\u00ed ag labhairt is ag labhairt,<br \/>\nfaoi p\u00e9 rud faoin ghrian,<br \/>\nagus \u00ed s\u00e9 mbliana d\u2019aois.<\/p>\n<p>T\u00e1im tar \u00e9is a bheith ann d\u00e1 saol go l\u00e9ir,<br \/>\n\u00ed ag dul \u00f3 leanbh beag b\u00eddeach,<br \/>\nisteach ina cail\u00edn m\u00f3r ag tosn\u00fa ar scoil.<\/p>\n<p>N\u00edl cli\u00fa aici faoin mbr\u00f3d at\u00e1 agam di,<br \/>\nna moth\u00fach\u00e1in a bhraithim agus<br \/>\n\u00ed ag d\u00e9anamh na ruda\u00ed c\u00e9anna liomsa.<\/p>\n<p>An br\u00f3d at\u00e1 ag gach duine in\u00e1r dteaghlach di,<br \/>\nan p\u00e1iste deireanach, b\u00e1ib\u00edn na clainne,<br \/>\nmo bhr\u00f3id\u00edn \u00f3g.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Col\u00e1iste an Phiarsaigh<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Blarney Sanctuary Walkway)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-10\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/10-The-New-Path-of-Life-Lena-Ni-Sheasnain.mp3?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/10-The-New-Path-of-Life-Lena-Ni-Sheasnain.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/10-The-New-Path-of-Life-Lena-Ni-Sheasnain.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>The New Path of Life<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Lena N\u00ed Sheasn\u00e1in<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<div align=\"right\"><i>apr\u00e8s Seamus Heaney<\/i><\/p>\n<p>It looked like a cluster of clouds<br \/>\nLaying lonely on the pavement<br \/>\nWhere the dog would lay<br \/>\nOn a cold day.<\/p>\n<p>A treat for the lonely eye.<\/p>\n<p>But to be fair it sent a sense of hope.<br \/>\nA new beginning.<br \/>\nA fresh start.<br \/>\nA newness in the backyard of our life,<br \/>\nSo subtle and so white.<\/p>\n<p>The crunch beneath our feet as we follow\u2026..<br \/>\nThe New Path of Life.<br \/>\nLet them be heard, leave in the light.<br \/>\nOur old life\u2026. s l i p p i n g.<br \/>\nA New Beginning.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Col\u00e1iste \u00c9amann R\u00eds<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Tramore Valley Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-11\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/11-Untitled-Siobhan-O-Callaghan.mp3?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/11-Untitled-Siobhan-O-Callaghan.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/11-Untitled-Siobhan-O-Callaghan.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>Untitled<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Siobhan O\u2019Callaghan<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>You could take a feathered brush<br \/>\nAnd wash the skyline with watercolour blue<br \/>\nAmongst the ink paper airplanes<br \/>\nHigh above nature\u2019s floral ruffles<br \/>\nThat serve as bedsheets<br \/>\nFor the coarse wet earth beneath.<\/p>\n<p>Standing to attention are great trees towering above us<br \/>\nThe kind you peer up to in fear<br \/>\nAlas, no worries<br \/>\nThe sun\u2019s embrace redeems these<br \/>\nInto big friendly giants.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at the finishing touches<br \/>\nHuts built up for humans to enjoy a comfortable existence in this oasis.<br \/>\nGorgeous gowns that resemble those same bedsheets<br \/>\nBlow gently in the wind<br \/>\nFamilies flock to bask in this world that surrounds them<br \/>\nAlmost as intertwined as the land beneath them.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><center>from <strong><font color=\"green\">Col\u00e1iste \u00c9amann R\u00eds<\/font><\/strong><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"1\">(installed at Tramore Valley Park)<\/font><\/center><br \/>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-21984-12\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/12-A-Simple-Trail-Xiao-Long-Chalmers.mp3?_=12\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/12-A-Simple-Trail-Xiao-Long-Chalmers.mp3\">https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/audio\/2025\/12-A-Simple-Trail-Xiao-Long-Chalmers.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>A Simple Trail<\/strong><\/font>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  by <b>Xiao Long Chalmers<\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>A long, muddy trail that curves<br \/>\nOff into mystery.<br \/>\nA person walks this simple trail,<br \/>\nDiscovering their own story.<\/p>\n<p>The trees surround its edges,<br \/>\nMaking everything else seem small,<br \/>\nHowever one breaks free from the crowd,<br \/>\nStanding free and tall.<\/p>\n<p>A small river runs near the path,<br \/>\nBut only for a moment.<br \/>\nIts beauty only but a fraction,<br \/>\nOf time\u2019s eternal movement.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp; <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.corkcity.ie\/en\/cruinniu-na-nog\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/Cruinniu_na_nOg-2025.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"179\"\/><\/a><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><center><em>The <strong>eBook version<\/strong> is available (free) via the following links:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/UnfinishedBookOfPoetry2025hr.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" onclick=\"\u201d_gaq.push([\u2018_trackEvent\u2019,\u2019Download\u2019,\u2019PDF\u2019,this.href]);\u201d\"><strong>Unfinished Book of Poetry 2025<\/strong> (High Resolution <strong>15.4MB<\/strong>)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/UBP\/UnfinishedBookOfPoetry2025lr.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" onclick=\"\u201d_gaq.push([\u2018_trackEvent\u2019,\u2019Download\u2019,\u2019PDF\u2019,this.href]);\u201d\"><strong>Unfinished Book of Poetry 2025<\/strong> (Low Resolution <strong>4.9MB<\/strong>)<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Foreword<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> The 21st edition of this unique anthology, <em>The Unfinished Book of Poetry<\/em>, has yet again exceeded expectations, replete with 204 pages of rich and surprisingly adept verse, covering a wide range of subject matter which attests to the focus, maturity and foreward-thinking<em>ness<\/em> of Cork city\u2019s next generation of young writers. It has also been published as an eBook, which is easily searchable online. <\/p>\n<p>  The 2025 edition features poems from 51 young writers engaged in transition year, representing five Cork city schools. Since the d\u00e9but edition was published back in 2005, the year Cork city was the European Capital of Culture, over thirty schools have taken part in the project, on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n<p> The consistent quality of poems is in no small part thanks to the industrious tutorship of our five professional assisting writers. Their creative guidance is as crucial for the rounded development of our young writers as it is for the overall success of the course, providing the students with a strong foundation in what can be made possible with poetry. <\/p>\n<p> These poems showcase the growing vision of a very talented and enlightened generation. My heartfelt Congratulations to all of the young writers, from:<\/p>\n<p> \u2022 <strong>Cork Educate Together Secondary School<\/strong> with poet R\u00f3is\u00edn Leggett Bohan at the school;<\/p>\n<p> \u2022 <strong>Terence MacSwiney Community College<\/strong> led by poet David McLoghlin at Hollyhill Library and at the school;<\/p>\n<p> \u2022 <strong>Ashton School<\/strong> with poet R\u00f3is\u00edn Kelly at the Cork City Library;<\/p>\n<p> \u2022 <strong>Col\u00e1iste an Phiarsaigh<\/strong> le file Gormfhlaith N\u00ed Sh\u00edoch\u00e1in N\u00ed Bheol\u00e1in, i Leabharlann Ghleann Maghair; agus<\/p>\n<p> \u2022 <strong>Col\u00e1iste \u00c9amann R\u00eds<\/strong> led by poet Kerri Sonnenberg at the school.<\/p>\n<p>Our <em>special thanks<\/em> to all the T.Y. co-ordinators and Cork city library staff. <\/p>\n<p>Delights await you on every page. Enjoy!<\/p>\n<div align=\"right\"><strong>Paul Casey<\/strong><br \/>\nProject Curator, April 2025<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The following poems have been selected from twelve poets published in The Unfinished Book of Poetry 2025, and are being displayed in Cork City Library&#8217;s Poetry in the Parks project during the summer, via installations in Marina Park, Fitzgerald&#8217;s Park, Tramore Valley Park, Ballincollig Regional Park, Gerry O\u2019Sullivan Park and the Blarney Sanctuary Walkway. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":5244,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21984","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21984"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22017,"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21984\/revisions\/22017"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}