DOIREANN NI GHRIOFA'S A GHOST IN THE THROAT

 I always said 'poetry saved my life' and what i meant was when i was at my most despondent, reading a poem that I connect with in the often mysterious ways creative arts can personally reach into us, would transform my deep disappointment (with the world or myself) into deep gratitude for that connection.

I rarely get despondent any more, but if i were to be, this new favorite book of mine would be a lifesaver, just for the beauty of the language. Every word seems necessary in the ways only words can. I highly recommend (though everyone's taste is their own) Doireann Ni Ghriofa's A GHOST IN THE THROAT. 

ANNIVERSARY

On May 3rd, 1957, The BROOKLYN Dodgers moved to LA, and I, about to turn 15, stopped caring about major league baseball, which til then I had cared about deeply.

SIBLINGS

 
Me in the arms of my oldest sibling, Tommy, to our right brother Jimmy who we called Buddy, to our left William, who we called by his middle name, Robert, sisters Joan, and Irene, closest to me in age but still separated by five years during which our brother John was born and died shortly afterward.

This looks like Easter, April 1945, Tommy in the Army Air Corps in a squadron getting ready to join the war in Europe to reinforce the bombing of Berlin but Germany would surrender in a few weeks so he'd never leave the States, while Buddy was about to leave for the Navy and end up in Okinawa when Japan surrendered. 

They're all gone, just me left and still squirming to be let free.

HAPPY SAINT PADDY'S

A trinity of some favorite Irish movies double features popped into my head and here 'tis:

BLACK 47 & THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY

THE SECRET OF  ROAN INISH (with one of  the other Michael Lallys) & THE QUIET GIRL

THE COMMITMENTS & ONCE 

NEW POEMS

 Two new poems of mine in Innisfree Poetry Journal 40. Thanks to editor Greg McBride, and to Terence Winch (who's got great poems in this issue) for connecting us. Check it out:

INNISFREEPOETRY.ORG

Michael Lally – Innisfree Poetry Journal

TRANS RIGHTS

 
I have had trans friends since childhood, and trans lovers since my late twenties, as well as times when I felt transgender identification of my own, and I have an adult trans grandchild, so I have little to no tolerance for any judgment or criticism or discrimination against trans people or limitations on what they feel is best for their health, happiness, and well being. 

As a wise person said to me more than once: There's two kinds of business, mine and none of mine. And what a trans person feels is best for them is none of mine. The current scapegoating of trans people for political advantage used by the trolls in charge must be opposed by all freedom loving people, or just plain loving people.

ME TOO