In honour of Norah Healy

by Breeda Murphy

It wasn’t my shame; it was in no hero’s name;
That Crown forces took liberties with me
Orchestrating so no-one would see
They who wouldn’t let me voice and told me I must be quiet.

They wouldn’t let me voice;  told me I must be quiet
The ones obliged to investigate hung tight
“Never mind” shushed the Sergeant in Charge.

I was already with child, but it incited them even more
A love  blossoming within me,  before
They tossed me aside,  as quickly as the ephemeral  tide
They wouldn’t let me voice and told me I must be quiet.

I didn’t comply, cowards one and all;
didn’t care what misfortune would befall
The suppression of my voice strengthened my resolve
To be heard on this earth and Heaven above

For their mistake ….~They wouldn’t let me voice;  told me I must be quiet”

This poem was composed during a series of creative writing workshops for Comhrá na mBan Centenary Writers Group led by Emily Cullen at Westside Library, Galway during September – December 2023, as part of the ‘Reflections – A Commemoration of the Irish Women of 1923.’ This project was presented by Galway City Council, Galway Public Libraries & Galway City Museum & supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.