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Irish Wildlife

Blog

The Otter by Seamus Heaney

18/4/2016

1 Comment

 
The OtterWhen you plunged
The light of Tuscany wavered
And swung through the pool
From top to bottom.

I loved your wet head and smashing crawl,
Your fine swimmer's back and shoulders
Surfacing and surfacing again
This year and every year since.

I sat dry-throated on the warm stones.
You were beyond me.
The mellowed clarities, the grape-deep air
Thinned and disappointed.

Thank God for the slow loadening,
When I hold you now
We are close and deep
As the atmosphere on water.

My two hands are plumbed water.
You are my palpable, lithe
Otter of memory
In the pool of the moment,

Turning to swim on your back,
Each silent, thigh-shaking kick
Re-tilting the light,
Heaving the cool at your neck.

And suddenly you're out,
Back again, intent as ever,
Heavy and frisky in your freshened pelt,
Printing the stones.
​
by Seamus Heaney

1 Comment
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    Author

    I am a wildlife photographer based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, who has an affinity for Ireland's landscape and wildlife. The magic of Ireland is truly evoked in the marriage of landscape and light.

    Contact: mactire.ie@gmail.com

    All images © Stephen Mc Ardle

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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  • Home
  • Otters
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Cetaceans - Whales and Dolphins
    • Basking Shark
  • Mammals
    • Otter
    • Seals
    • Deer
    • Bats
    • Squirrel
    • Fox
    • Rabbits
  • Birds
    • Heron
    • Kingfisher
    • Gullible
    • Great Northern Diver
    • Robin
    • Cock Pheasant
    • Greylag Goose
    • Egret
    • Cormorant
    • Mute Swan
    • Reed Bunting
    • Lough Derg Sea Eagles Video
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    • Wild flowers of Ireland
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    • IWT Dublin Branch
    • Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland
  • Animal Tracks
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