"To the Beat of Different Drum" / When service hours become poetry sessions

 

Today I went to volunteer at an elderly activity center based in Dungarvan, for my graduation requirements. Most of our volunteering was having conversations with the elderly folks around us. After making my rounds and introducing myself, I sat down next to Richard, a sweet old man, eager to chat. After talking a bit, he whipped a book out of his bag titled To The Beat of a Different Drum, a poetry collection written by him. He let me have a look, I read the back cover and the acknowledgments. I asked him if I could crack open the book, eager to explore the contents. 

He took the book from me and opened it, and began showing me his favorite poems. All of these poems were about Dungarvan, the pubs, Abbeyside, the locals, and all of the best parts of Dungarvan. Many of them were "depressing but real" as he said, some about heartbreak, some about death. I recall one was about the only friend in the world being a pint of beer. Although that sounds illy, it was some of the best poetry I have read. 

Richard mentioned he takes a lot of inspiration from Yeats, his favorite poet. His favorite poem is "The Wild Swans at Coole." I told him about my Literary Ireland class and how we have been reading Yeats. I told him my favorite poem was "The Lake Isle of Inisfree."

I am rather upset as a write this because I cannot find a single copy anywhere on the Internet to purchase. I  really hope I can somehow get access to his poems and share them with you all. Oh well! I am happy to end my days at Dungarvan by meeting poets, and discussing all sorts of poetry.