Meeting Irish Poet Michael Longley

Christmas 2022

I took my son along to our annual neighbours association Christmas party to meet Santa Claus for the first time. Much to our disappointment we missed him by half an hour as we were running late, however, much to our delight we met someone much more interesting! Renowned Northern Irish poet Michael Longley graced the party and I was thrilled to have a chat. I showed him my linen designs and he chuckled as I asked him permission for publishing one of his brilliant poems,’The Linen Industry’, on my website journal some 8 years ago (ps.he said yes). Upon mentioning my affection for said poem he responded by reciting the last verse to me, which was just beautiful, here it is again…

‘And be shy of your breasts in the presence of death,

Say that you look more beautiful in linen

Wearing white petticoats, the bow on your bodice

A butterfly attending the embroidered flowers.’