These are fraught times, as we know. As tensions rise, cultural norms splinter and sound bites get nastier and if you’re like me; it may all feel a little tiresome, to say the least. I find myself torn at the minute. Do I try, in vain; due to lack of outlet, to have my voice heard? To rail against what I perceive as the festering injustice of a world dominate by those who shout loudest, whilst risking pastiching what I hate? Do I keep my head below the parapet? Affect things where I can; namely at home with my family and in school with our students?

The past weeks alone, namely since yerman took office has had me reaching for the escape hatch. A lifetime of obsession with current affairs and being clued in now must accede to distraction. To focus on what’s in front of me in person, not online. It has started well to be fair. Getting reacquainted with the greater works of fiction in my library has been a joyous detour. Pay no mind to the fact it is largely dystopian works I’m reading.

Giving up social media for lent has been revelatory I must say too. To be free of the tug of war opining on comment sections. Being tone deaf of the constant screeching of my apps for my attention. To just be.

Winding up the academic year

You cover plenty of poets on the Leaving Cert English course. My favourite part of the course, just as well given how vast it can be. I love to finish the senior cycle with a really classical and challenging poet: Manley Hopkins or John Donne in particular. It affords a great opportunity to highlight to students how in depth their analysis has become when juxtaposed (all leaving cert poetry essays must use this word fyi) with the first poems they analysed as startled fifth years in the yellowing September sun way back when.

Seeing students take a particular line of reading a poem and going with that is some buzz. It is so invigorating to see a young person engage critically with literature in an authoritive manner is fantastic to witness and even better to engage with. There is an openness in the air and a curiosity. There is an ability shown to change one’s mind; to say ‘oh I. never thought of it like that.’ Surely these are the words sorely lacking from our discourse in these tumultuous times?