Uinseann Mac Thómais (aka Vincent Holmes) likes lots of pastimes. He starts his day at 6.30am with a sea swim in Blackrock, normally a very mirthful experience. Its exhilaration fires him up for the rest of the day to dabble in computing, innovation and the occasional written piece for the Galway Review. He has a keen interest in an Ghaeilge and its perpetuation and holds a Master’s Degree in Language Planning, the science of passing language on to the next generation.  A retired civil servant, formerly of Roinn na Gaeltachta, he works part-time as a court interpreter.

Hatred 2023

A poem for our times

So, let’s churn up
Another megaton of hatred
That will last generations
with no “best by“ date
And spread its contagion
Through bombed, missile-ed
And terrorised families
Whose “leaders” justify
Carnage, havoc and
Premeditated annihilation
As a means of justifying
an end.
Let us observe, yet again,
The abject lesson of history
On war and its futility
Its insaneness
Its uselessness
And spit on anyone
Who suggests peace
Or an alternative route
Our nadir has been reached
Let its shining bitter light
Guide us to redemption.