Eamonn was born in Coventry to working class Irish parents. He has lived in Manchester since 1992. Now retired, he spent his professional life teaching and managing in adult and further education, in France, London and Manchester. He describes poetry as, "Always being with me". He thinks that the current obsession with 'identity' is a very dry well and will not serve poetry as a voice for the human song- at once both grounded and numinous, but rarely drawn from the indulgent ego, asserting its exception and 'specialness'. If poetry is not a shared experience at the well the pail will be drawn up empty.
'Parental Responsibility'
I reached the mail box of your mother’s phone
And left, “I hope you had a lovely time in Blackpool”
One part hopes you couldn’t: to the other hopes you did
Expressed in this meanest ratio, my complicit kid.
I’ve watched your smile grow weaker and falter in the months,
Driven off in the back of the car, your wave fails, then slumps
Your head turns and fixes on to duty in the front
Collusive little agent, enlisted little runt!
You reached the black box of your daddy’s phone
Left, “I’m back from Blackpool. I hope you phone me soon”
I’d come to hers and see you. I’m on my way around
So one part lifts the handset: while the other puts it down.