Punishment
 

I never quite warmed up to him, but I want to like him more. I always thought that this was outstanding though. What I admire is that though the woman found in the bog is described in passionate detail, and it's so horribly sad, the poem is really about the speaker. And it's, unfortunately, bound to be relevant.

https://allpoetry.com/poem/11645373-...-Seamus-Heaney

Thanks for this, James. I hadn't seen it before.

Most poetry about injustice says, "Those people are terrible. Glad I'm not like them." This one says, "Those people are terrible, and I'm just like them. Glad I realize it, so I can keep an eye on myself."

Yep, every bit as deadly as solid basalt.

Yes, thanks for this James. It is stunning. I haven't read it in a while and it's prompted me to take my Seamus Collected up to bed.

Well, you're welcome, and thanks a bunch for commenting. Would have responded sooner, but most of my week is tight. Mark, I think you have a greater appreciation than I for Heaney. I sometimes like him a lot, but sometimes he seems like an exercise in how to write semi emotional, half unremoved poetry. This one is a killer, tho, I think, and would like to find more. I'm so happy you liked this, Julie. And I like this for pretty much the same reasons. Here's a reading, I assume from Seamus.

https://youtu.be/XsoUBO0qRQg

*Just to add, however obvious, that I love the title. That observing this is the speaker's punishment.