Introduction 

Dear Eavan Boland, 

I have recently studied several of your captivating poems as part of my leaving certificate course. I was often left transfixed by your poetry, with much of your work being hugely thought provoking, encouraging me to reflect on my own life. While it’s undeniable that your work has universal appeal, it seemed to resonate with me on a personal level. 

I admire your bravery in openly tackling ‘taboo’ subjects in poems like ‘The Famine Road’, where you highlight the injustices faced both by the Irish people, and the infertile woman. You skillfully discuss a wide variety of subjects; from motherhood, to suburban life, to Irish history, all of which interested me hugely. 

On a technical level, your poetry shows great finesse and talent through your vivid visual and aural imagery, use of metaphor, allegory and ambiguity, all while using simple and comprehensible language. I found these techniques hugely increased the dramatic and emphatic effect of your poems. I appreciate your valour in showcasing both the inequalities that women face, and the joys they are afforded. Your honest portrayals of the trials and tribulations of life create a wonderfully genuine poetic experience. 

This Moment 

One of your many poems that illustrates the joys of motherhood is ‘This Moment’. This poem is delightful in its simplicity. You evoked a warm, safe atmosphere immediately “a neighbourhood at dusk”. I liked how you created a sense of anticipation as the poem progressed through your use of concise lines and regular full stops “things are getting ready to happen”. The slow meter used makes for a pleasant, unhurried rhythm. I found the unwavering trust between the mother and child beautifully poignant; “a woman leans down to catch a child who has run into her arms.” This line has universal appeal, and reminded me of the many times I embraced my own mother with that same sense of love and trust. You masterfully portrayed the tenderness of this heartwarming, everyday event. 

Your repeated use of the sibilant ‘s’ sound seems to emphasise a perfect sense of peace. The beauty of nature floats easily into this poem as you continue your celebration of the banal; “Stars rise. Moths flutter. Apples sweeten in the dark” 

You ended the poem on a soothing, tranquil note, as nature itself seems to respond to the touching embrace between the pair. 

The War Horse 

A poem that I was both impassioned and infuriated by was the historically influenced ‘The War Horse’. In this poem, I was reminded of the destructive power of hatred, and indeed complacency. This poem confronts us with man’s inhumanity and our propensity to commit heinous acts of cruelty and savagery. 

On a technical front, this poem is hugely impressive, and clearly showcased your expertise and skill. The horse itself is a metaphor, a shocking one at that, for the brutal gunmen of The Troubles.You cleverly used this intimidating horse plundering through a peaceful suburban neighbourhood to highlight the indifferent and ignorant attitudes of those not directly affected by that gruesome period in our troublesome history. You used alliteration and onomatopoeia very effectively to create vivid aural imagery “clip, clop, casual”, “hissing, snuffling”. 

You honestly describe the ‘not in my backyard’ attitude which is of growing prevalence in today’s society “no great harm is done”. While you wrote this poem to highlight the ambivalence and selfishness of people from the south towards the Troubles, which happened over thirty years ago, this insular attitude is still very much at large today. This utter lack of compassion unfortunately reminds me of the apathy if today’s generation towards the refugee crisis, which hugely disheartens me, “But we, we are safe, why should we care?” 

Your zealous passion in this poem is infectious “only my blood is still with atavism”. The reminder of the injustice faced by the Irish people angered me, and patriotism washed over me. The concluding line was almost heartbreaking to me “a cause ruined before, a world betrayed” Your indignation was not only justified, I think, but noble. It is both important and necessary that we speak up when injustices are done upon us, or anyone, and you fulfilled this duty. 

The Famine Road 

My favourite poem of yours is the allegory ‘The Famine Road’. This poem is hugely emotive, and evoked both disgust and rage within me. It’s clear from your work that you are truly interested in Irish history, and in sharing the stories that were never fully told, which I find honourable. You created a fascinating dual narrative between the starving Irish famine victims and the infertile woman. Before my reading of this poem, I would have assumed that these scenarios had no relevance to each other, but you artistically highlighted the shocking similarities between them. 

Your use of dialogue in this poem is very effective, as it seems to underscore the vindictive, sarcastic tone of the officials. The contempt they show the Irish is piglike and infuriating “idle as trout in light, Colonel Jones”. The repeated harsh ‘k’ sound seems to underscore the horribly arrogant tone of the British. I was appalled by their audacity to deem the starving Irish race as barbarians, despite the barbaric, unscrupulous and ruthless acts they have committed against our nation. “might it be safe to give them roads, going nowhere, of course?” 

The Irish people were humiliated and dehumanized. You created a gruesome and stomach churning image to show the desperation of our people,“each eyed-as if at a corner butcher the other’s buttock”. You used hyperbole to show the inhumane treatment of the famine victims; “no more than snow attends its own flakes where they settle and melt, will they pray by his death rattle” I am truly horrified by the merciless, smug officials “it has gone better than we expected, Lord Trevelyan”. Patriotic injustice stirs through me as I read this poem. 

Likewise, I am disgusted by the treatment of the infertile woman; “take it well woman, grow your garden, keep house, goodbye” The social stigma regarding female infertility is offensive and demoralizing. It highlights how objectified women’s bodies were, and sadly still are. A woman was viewed as a thing, an object to possess, something to carry a man’s child and please him as a wife with little other value. This misogynistic ideal boils my blood. As a modern day woman, just like yourself, I am embittered by the close-minded society of years gone by. Sorrow and pity are evoked in me for these degraded women who have been deemed worthless. “what is your body now if not a famine road?” 

Child of Our Time

‘Child of Our Time’ is a similarly powerful and thought provoking poem. Again, this poem deals with the unspeakable violence of the Troubles. You are clearly a compassionate person, as this poem was inspired by the harrowing image of an innocent child who had fallen victim to the Dublin Bombings. Again, this poem reminded me of the ongoing refugee crisis, and the devastating images of a young Syrian boy washed up on a beach. It’s frustrating to me that the reckless decisions of those in power hurt innocent people most, “we who should know how to instruct”. 

Your use of assonance of broad vowel sounds creates a slow pace, forcing readers to digest and contemplate the injustices both in the poem and the world around us. The antithetical style used gives the poem a balanced tone “from your unreasoned end its reason”. Your use of distorted syntax is interesting, it almost hints at the predictable political babble that will inevitably follow this tragedy, “and living learn must learn from you, dead”. The heartfelt penultimate line awakens guilt and sorrow, making for a poignant conclusion; “child of our time, our times have robbed your cradle”. White Hawthorn in the West of Ireland ‘White Hawthorn in the West of Ireland’ highlights the contrast between suburban and rural worlds. In this poem, you express your joy from being freed from the restrictive, suburban life; “I left behind suburban gardens. Lawnmowers. Small talk.” 

You create vivid, exciting images of the rugged West “the hard shyness of Atlantic light”. The use of run-on lines suggest the freedom and tranquility that nature brings you. However, you use the hawthorn as a symbol of the exclusion you felt, how you will never truly be a part of the superstitious, mysterious west. I like how you have the ability to romanticise the West of Ireland, while being pragmatic and realistic as to your sense of belonging “the only language spoken in those parts.” 

Conclusion 

Mrs. Boland, I can wholeheartedly say it has been a privilege to study your contemporary-style poetry, and to get an insight into your forward thinking and talented mind. You have a strong sense of justice, and are determined to shed light on important, and often forgotten issues which I greatly admire. Your poems are relevant and interesting to me as a modern reader. In each of your poems, your bountiful poetic talent shines through as you skillfully depict honest portrayals of both historic and modern day life. As a female, I was delighted to see you tackling such important issues, from infertility to motherhood. Your conversational language is powerful in its simplicity, giving me much food for thought. I look forward to studying more of your work. 

With respect and admiration, 

Clíodhna Mc Hugh, 

Leaving Certificate student.