“Witness and Sentinel”

BY PATTY SMITHERMAN

The lighthouse on Lough Corrib
stands as a sentinel
guarding the boaters on the lovh.

It is witness
to fierce storms
which whip waters,
fishermen in their boats.

And is witness to
the lough’s complete calm
hiding the life beneath the surface.

The lighthouse, strong and silent,
may also have the Celtic gift
of deep witnessing to feel and
hear from the depths of the lough’s
still
magic
music.

POET’S NOTES

What a wonder and surprise to find a small lighthouse on a rocky point on Lough Corrib near where we stayed at Ballycurrin House. It attests to both the size of the lough and its turbulence. Depp witnessing is the translation of the Celtic word, Teannalach.

ARTIST’S REFLECTION

Surprise! There’s a lighthouse on the eastern shore of Lough Corrib right near Ballycurrin House. The day is becoming more raw and windy by the minute. Charmed by the blue boats and sturdy stone lighthouse, I imagine more than one sailor/pilgrim was blessed to see its beam of light coming through the storm or fog. A blessing and a warning – can it be both?There are rocks here, pay attention, it’s risky! The safe harbor is worth it.