Hozier has shared a reading of one of his favourite Seamus Heaney poems.
An initiative organised by the official Twitter account of The Estate of Seamus Heaney, a number of well-known Irish faces have been sharing readings of some of his most poignant works.
Saying that “people are turning to poetry like never before”, they’ve been asking their friends to read their favourite Seamus Heaney poem in the hope that it will bring the same comfort and solace to others as it has to them. Several people have already posted their submissions, Adrian Dunbar and Cathy Belton amongst them, with Hozier now joining the ranks and reading from have already posted their submissions, with Hozier getting involved as well.
Aptly called Miracle, Hozier notes that the poem “feels appropriate for the time that’s in it”. Posting a video of himself reading the poem aloud, he begins by introducing the work saying:
“It reflects upon, in the context of somebody healed of illness, it reflects upon the people that carried him in to be healed. Seems to nod back to a gorgeous poem called The Skylight from Glanmore revisited.”
Today, we're so happy to be sharing a reading by @Hozier of his choice, 'Miracle', a poem about healing and the people who enable it: "Be mindful of them" pic.twitter.com/EwwiGbZQNx
— Estate of Seamus Heaney (@seamusheaneyest) April 24, 2020
You can read the poem in full below:
“Not the one who takes up his bed and walks
But the ones who have known him all along
And carry him in –Their shoulders numb, the ache and stoop deeplocked
In their backs, the stretcher handles
Slippery with sweat. And no let upUntil he’s strapped on tight, made tiltable
and raised to the tiled roof, then lowered for healing.
Be mindful of them as they stand and waitFor the burn of the paid out ropes to cool,
Their slight lightheadedness and incredulity
To pass, those who had known him all along.”
Beautiful words and emotive as ever.
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