7 minute read
Gerry Cody
WORDS: PATRICK GRIFFIN PHOTOS:PAT SHORTALL
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‘Great thoughts are formed in silence’. ose words accurately capture the essence of a brand new collection of poetry and prose, ‘Much More an Words’, launched at the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny last Friday, at the beginning of Mental Health Week. e above quotation, author unknown, was re ected by Olivia O’Leary, writer and broadcaster, in her introduction to the book. She repeated the words of novelist, playwright and author Roddy Doyle who, in his contribution to the book, said that “writers must be willing to sit for long periods. Being alone is a challenge.” e venue for the book launch, the beautifully restored Butler Gallery and former 19th century almshouse, was a magni cent setting for the event. Indeed the wonderful display of Still Life paintings by Kilkenny-based artist Blaise Smith formed the perfect backdrop to the poems. Each of the paintings by this supremely talented artist act as records of our everyday world. e poems act as records of our thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions to that same ‘everyday world’ in which we live and breathe.
Mayor Andrew McGuinness spoke about the importance of this book launch. He said that the aptly titled ‘Much More an Words’ poetry collection delves deeply into the relationships we have between our friends, family and places. He said that the book highlighted how vitally essential it is for us to be more aware of others. He rightly claimed that for most of us, we can at times be so unaware of the issues going on in other peoples’ lives.
He was fulsome in his praise for the generosity of people who devote themselves to helping others. He praised the writers of the poems, pointing out that it takes courage to dig deep and understand more about ourselves and those around us. None of us, he pointed out, are free from some issues in our lives and our involvement with others, whether in our families or the wider mass of humanity.
Paul Cli ord, co-ordinator Kilkenny Involvement Centre, spoke about the genesis of the book. He told us how a strong body of written work emerged from the support, encouragement and cooperation of a variety of writers from e Involvement Centre, e Recovery College and the wider community.
Dr. Mike Watts, who o cially launched the book, described this multi-faceted miscellany of poetry as a ‘narrative medicine’. He posed this question to the audience: “How well do we understand mental health?”
While we were left pondering our own response to this complex question Dr. Watts referred to his own path to
Author Gerry Moran picture with Jimmy Murphy at The Butler Gallery
Tom and Alice Kiernan at the Launch of ‘Much More Than Words’ Jane Meally from the Clogh Writers group, read her poem ‘Our Table’ at the Butler Gallery Pat and Maura Gri in who attended the book launch of ‘Much More Than Words’ at The Butler Gallery Eileen and Paul Cli ord at The Butler Gallery for the book launch of ‘Much More Than Words’
his own understanding of himself. He discussed ‘growth vs breakdown’.
And as a reference to the ‘Much More an Words’ collection he expanded on the importance of the shared experiences which led to the compilation of this assembly of poems and prose.
“Our creative temperament,” he explained, “expresses itself through the arts. Poetry is a medium like water. Dull stones shimmer and shine as soon as they are immersed in water. e water reveals the hidden beauty of the stones. Likewise, words expressed through the medium of carefully crafted poetry, reveal fresh insights.”
“ is book,” he concluded, “is about life lived and how we relate to it.”
Some of the contributors to ‘Much More an Words’ read their poems and gave us a avour of what the book has to o er. e varied o erings in the collection, although diverse in their topics, cover love and loss, elation and sadness, childhood and old age, family, friendships and our world and all it has to o er.
Mary Woods, who represented e Recovery College, thanked all who
Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness, praised the work being done by The Recovery College and The Involvement Centre at the launch of the book ‘Much More Than Words
Martha Woodcock, whose poem ‘Remember’ brought laughter and emotion to the long gallery
Musician Tiernan Jones who entertained the gathering at The Butler Gallery with ‘Dance of the firebirds’ by Giora Friedman’ (classical/klezmer) and ‘Oh lady be good’ by Benny Goodman (jazz) Mary Woods pictured with Fran Watts at the book launch of Much More than words’ Produced by The Recovery College and The Involvement Centre
Eileen and Paul Cli ord at The Butler Gallery for the book launch of Angela Keogh from Bagenalstown who read her work ‘An Irish Poem’ at the Butler Gallery Bernard Allon and Sandrine Dunlop, enjoying the evening at The Butler Gallery Some beautiful words about the late schoolteacher Tom Hunt, were read by Playwright John Mac Kenna at The Butler Gallery
Dr Mike Watts, who performed the launch of the poetry book ‘Much More Than words’ pictured with Clare Fitzpatrick , Team Coordinator at The Recovery College
Sé Nicholson who read ‘No Hope Brings Hope’ at The Butler Gallery
Philip Perkins who was in charge of Book sales at The launch
had contributed to the book launch. To mark the event, Mary recited a poem which she had specially written for the occasion.
In conclusion, Ger Cody, who had kept the afternoon running smoothly, quoted words of the American writer and poet Brianna Wiest.
“If someone is falling behind in life, you don’t have to remind them. Believe me, they already know.
If someone is unhealthy they know.
If someone is failing at work, they know.
If someone is struggling in their relationship, with money, with self-image, they know.
It’s what consumes their thoughts each day.
What you need to do for those who are struggling is not to reprimand, but encourage.
Tell them what’s good about their lives; show them the potential that you see.
Love them where they are.
When we can’t see clearly for ourselves, we need others to speak greatness over us.
People don’t need you to tell them what’s wrong with their lives, they already know. ey need you to reassure them that they can still make it right.”
Copies of the publication, ‘Much More Than Words’, is available to purchase at The Book Centre on High Street, Khan’s Bookshop on James’s Street and Bargain Books on the Butterslip.
