A remembrance of Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

Seamus Heaney. Retrieved from link

Yesterday, I was saddened to learn of the death of Irish poet Seamus Heaney, whose eminently readable translation of Beowulf introduced me to the fascinating world of ancient literature back in high school. In subsequent years, friends repeatedly suggested I read his poetry, which they and others described as lyrical and accessible, a fine combination for poetry if one may say so. I never got around to it, but perhaps now I will. Mr. Heaney was 74.

As too often happens, only upon someone's death do we become fully conscious of their life and influence. Mr.Heaney's case is little different. As the Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny recently said, "For us, Seamus Heaney was the keeper of language, our codes, our essence as a people...He belongs with Joyce, Yeats, Shaw and Beckett in the pantheon of our greatest literary exponents" (source). Among many prizes, Mr. Heany won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, and taught at some of the most respected universities of his time. Many believe he is the most acclaimed Irish poet since William Butler Yeats (1865-1939).

For those interested in learning more of Mr. Heaney, the following links may be of service:

-Wikipedia entry.
-Wall Street Journal remembrance
-New York Times remembrance
-Henri Cole's remembrance from "The New Republic"
-Part 1 of 2 of Heaney's Beowulf translation, read by Heaney himself

I am thankful for Mr. Heaney's small but important contribution in sparking my interest in literature, and hope his life and work will continue to inspire others in the years ahead. The world could use a few more poets perhaps, and an occasional reminder of our shared human roots.

So thank you, Mr. Heaney - you will be missed.