Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page

Maura Mulligan is a very welcome and vibrant supporter of this column and has been more than generous with her help during a few critical moments. Not alone has she contributed her own poetry she has encouraged others to do so. Maura is truly "A friend whom I never met" and it's my privilege to communicate with her. She is a native of Mayo, who lives in New Jersey and teaches Irish language and Céilí Dancing in New York.

Maura wrote this week's poem while on a Spanish course in Valladolid, Spain. She had been in Ireland for several weeks, enjoying great breakfasts and wanted to study Spanish so off she went to Spain. The Spanish house never served a meal in the morning and she had fried fish every evening for dinner. She was not happy visitor.

Having been to Valladolid on numerous occasions, I totally disagree with Maura's opinion. However, I can sympathize with her point of view and am delighted with her poem and her focused and economical use of three languages. Thank you Maura!

My Week in Valladolid

Antiques and sunflowers
A house in disrepair
Sun blocked windows
Ornate doors and chairs

Walking sun-drenched streets
Eating ice cream to stay cool
I can't seem to study
Maybe it's the sun?

Languages mixing
Muybien 's go maith
Pero, nil a fhios agam
Ser-is- tá- no estar?

Longing for breakfast
Fed up with fried fish
A pot a mór tae
Is my numero uno wish

© Maura Mulligan