Not Alone in the Silence

In July last year, Pat Carroll, drawing on inspiration from the photography of Rob O’Connor, created The Silence. This project brought together over forty-five creatives (authors, poets, artists and photographers) to explore their experiences during the first lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I was privileged to take part with all these wonderful people:

Claire Stack, Aine Farrell, Michael J Whelan, Mary Wallace, Anne Martin Walsh, Suzanne D’Arcy Gaugha, Stanley Notte, Mailo Power, Rachel Dubber, Amy Guilfoyle, Cobh Animation Team, Theresa Ryder, Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, Bernie Carney, Anne McSweeney, Jean Reinhardt, Jene Hinds, Orlaith Hamersley, Catherine Drea, Theresa McCormack, Linda Ibbotson, Caroline Cunningham, Michelle Dunne, Catherine Brennan, Martha Cashman, Karen Scannell, Elsie Nolan, Amy O’Connor, Martina Furlong, Nilla Palmer, Jean Gilson, Trisha O’Callaghan, Rose McGowan, Patsy Atkinson, Stephen Hayes, Trish Carlos, Brigid Mullooly, Sinéad Ní Chionaola, Eadaoin Glynn, Mairead Holohan, Eleanor Curtin, Bernadette Doolan, Karen Power, Rob O’Connor, Colm McDonagh.

I would also highlight the sad loss of May Drea in April 2020, and the wonderful words of Catherine Drea in her memory, which were included. May she rest in peace.

You can find the entire project online at the website below.

https://thesilence2020.wordpress.com

My contribution was my first published sonnet, which I hope you enjoy.

Not Alone in the Silence.
Who are you? Called to wake mid-morning light,
To face the hurts and hardships of the day,
For not alone, we stand against this blight,
A multitude of hands unto the fray.

Despite those times on immigrants they spat,
Raising empty cries or barbed calumnies,
Here far from home in distant Gujarat,
Nurse they now our stricken casualties.

Perhaps the tables will have truly turned,
And we shall learn before it’s ne’er too late,
No longer to remain so unconcerned,
Humanity restored to kinder fate.

Or, be assured the poor will foot the bill,
From when the world fell silent and stood still.

By Ruairí de Barra © 2020