School: Birr (Mercy Convent)

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1. Local Men (continued)

   

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   Back again to the watching and silence,
   Back again to the fasting and prayer,
   He passed from my sight like a shadow
   A dream this the sweet Autumn air.
   Passed on while the blessing he whispered
   Yet breathed thus the stillness around
   While a new benediction was flooding
   My soul in that sanctified ground.

   He went with a smile 'neath the portals
   Nor paused save to wave a good-bye
   Went again to the prayer and the silence
   While a joy not of earth lit his eye
   On my cheek was a tear as he vanished
   I was saddened I scarce could tell why
   But I thought of the penance and privations
   And he of the glory on high.

   For he told of that hour in the twilight
   When first at the altar he knelt
   In that dear lonely Church in the mountain
   And a foretaste of Paradise felt
   The white robed Cistercians chanting
   A salve to heaven's loved Queen
   And his spirits were thrilled as he listened
   The boy dreamed a beautiful dream
   Years passed and the dream on the mountain
   A glorious reality crowned.

   This poem and information was given to me by my father, John Quigley, Green St., Birr aged 60 years.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Informant

   John Quigley

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   60

   Address

   Birr or Parsonstown, Co. Offaly