A daily quote from the poetry, prose & translations of Seamus Heaney, Nobel Laureate in Literature.

Bellaghy Derry, Ireland
Joined September 2013
Where had we come from, what was this kingdom We knew we'd been restored to? Then rubbing your eyes and seeing our old brush Up on the byre door, and keeping going. #HUNIRL #COYBIG
9
62
8,176
Seamus Heaney retweeted
A four foot box, a foot for every year.
21
45
6
780
50,633
A four foot box, a foot for every year.
21
45
6
780
50,633
Seamus Heaney retweeted
But still he was glad, I know, when I stood my ground, Putting it up to him With a smile that trumped his smile and his fool’s errand, Waiting for the next move in the game.
3
58
3
324
23,906
But still he was glad, I know, when I stood my ground, Putting it up to him With a smile that trumped his smile and his fool’s errand, Waiting for the next move in the game.
3
58
3
324
23,906
When human beings found out about death They sent the dog to Chukwu with a message: They wanted to be let back to the house of life. They didn’t want to end up lost forever Like burnt wood disappearing into smoke Instead they saw their souls in a flock at twilight
15
91
7,650
Seamus Heaney retweeted
Unfazed by light, to make a new beginning: And make a go of it, alive and sinning, Ourselves again, free-willed again, not bad.
87
6
334
20,702
Unfazed by light, to make a new beginning: And make a go of it, alive and sinning, Ourselves again, free-willed again, not bad.
87
6
334
20,702
Seamus Heaney retweeted
In drifts of sleep I came upon you Buried to your waist in snow. You reached your arms out: I came to Like water in a dream of thaw.
2
127
3
680
39,813
In drifts of sleep I came upon you Buried to your waist in snow. You reached your arms out: I came to Like water in a dream of thaw.
2
127
3
680
39,813
Seamus Heaney retweeted
Masons, when they start upon a building,
Are careful to test out the scaffolding; Make sure that planks won’t slip at busy points,
Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints… Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.
4
86
4
488
36,382
Masons, when they start upon a building,
Are careful to test out the scaffolding; Make sure that planks won’t slip at busy points,
Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints… Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.
4
86
4
488
36,382
Northern reticence, the tight gag of place And times: yes, yes. Of the "wee six" I sing Where to be saved you only must save face And whatever you say, you say nothing.
2
21
1
175
20,331
And catch the heart off guard and blow it open.
3
71
4
388
24,190
And some time make the time to drive out west Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore, In September or October, when the wind And the light are working off each other So that the ocean on one side is wild
12
148
11
1,081
62,312
who would connive in civilized outrage at sectarian killing and sacrifice, yet understand the exact and tribal, intimate revenge.
1
33
2
166
14,985
Believe that a farther shore Is reachable from here. Believe in miracles And cures and healing wells.
15
455
16
2,003
131,754
The war put all men mad, horned, horsed, or roof-posted, the boasting and the bested.
1
115
2
417
32,944
And some time make the time to drive out west Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore, In September or October, when the wind And the light are working off each other So that the ocean on one side is wild With foam and glitter
13
202
11
1,272
84,236
Noli timere Don't be afraid. Remembering Seamus Heaney who died on this day in 2013.
11
288
11
2,067
131,756