my father, my mother, Yeats, golden apples & silver apples - reading by PD Lyons

read by PD Lyons poet~ The Song of the Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats & Somewhere Still by PD Lyons The Song of the Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats from Eveeryman’s Poetry, J.M. Dent, Orien Publishing. London 1998 Somewhere Still by PD Lyons from When You Worship Swans No Longer Limited Edition, Supported by Westmeath County Arts, 2017       The Song of Wandering Aengus BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS   I went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head, And cut and peeled a hazel wand, And hooked a berry to a thread; And when white moths were on the wing, And moth-like stars were flickering out, I dropped the berry in a stream And caught a little silver trout. When I had laid it on the floor I went to blow the fire a-flame, But something rustled on the floor, And someone called me by my name: It had become a glimmering girl With apple blossom in her hair Who called me by my name and ran And faded through the brightening air. Though I am old with wandering Through hollow lands and hilly lands, I will find out where she has gone, And kiss her lips and take her hands; And walk among long dappled grass, And pluck till time and times are done, The silver apples of the moon, The golden apples of the sun.       Source: The Wind Among the Reeds (1899)   .Noun. 1. Aengus - Celtic god of love and beauty; patron deity of young men and women. Angus, Angus Og, Oengus. SOMEWHERE STILL by PD Lyons Somewhere there is still a place, you sitting in the sun, concrete porch paving slabs, Cape Cod Grey picnic table, small summer savages running jumping clinging – immune bare feet impervious to sun. Skin frosted with salt, lotions, cake icing. Somewhere children still take your hand, invite you to cross the street walk with them down to the beach, taking them sometimes instead to lunch… Long-time companions, comforts of old age, afternoon naps, books, TV, mail order catalogues, big band music and too those ever-dangerous memories – love, marriage, a hole never in twenty-three years has time healed. Somewhere she still takes you by the hand. Ohs your name laughs into the open window, Fifty-five Chevy, summer bright chrome. So close to flying great American V8 highways up through the Canadian border dwindling into heavy Nova Scotia sands. There has never been an ocean too cold for her to swim in. Long after your retreat to safety – Flamingo towels, Knickerbocker beer, USMC Zippo, Old Gold cigarette spiral prayers. Gratitude at last. Unable to fathom any reason to feel bad about surviving. Deep breath wonderful (not a god damn palm tree in sight). Watch that woman of the sea; only wish there would never have to be a time to leave. Later she gets tipsy; acquiescing when the waiter offers to sweeten her drink no knowing here to sweeten means more liquor. Out on the dance floor, hold each other tight as you want because she’s your wife now and you always liked the Mills Brothers. Sometime after midnight, small cedar room, Stuart tartan blankets, crisp white sheets. Strange night sounds traipsing gingham curtains. As if tiny fingers, she ohs your name. Answer back with words you never knew before. This spring by the sea your little house will not find you. Gone now perhaps to wander just like W.B. said – Glimmering girl once more beside you and pluck Till time and times are done The silver apples of the moon, The golden apples of the sun. (For: D.R.L. – with regards to W.B. Yeats, his favourite poet.)     Special First Edition Limited to 150: each numbered and signed by the poet.   Price includes worldwide shipping by regular post in padded envelope.   22.00 EUROS   Items shipped upon receipt of order (purchase through Paypal)   Contact: pdlyonspoet@yahoo.co.uk   With your shipping information and any queries.   Additional inscription on request.   (Numbered books selected randomly)   “PD Lyons work stands at the threshold so loved in Ireland. That almost magical, almost mythical, almost otherworldly parallel that the Irish dip in and out of. Where we chose to believe in luck and superstition and destiny and embrace these as tangible factors in our daily lives. – from the forward by Una O’Neill D’Arcy, Journalist/Freelance Writer   Thank you in advance for supporting this project!