Eavan Boland is one of the foremost female poet voices in Irish literature. Sadly, she passed away on April 27, 2020. I love her poetry because she speaks in an urgent voice to express the female experience. There are many other reasons to admire her poetry, and you can find out more about her by just googling. As a small tribute to her, I am quoting her poem Quarantine written circa 2008. It is a fitting commentary for the current times.

Quarantine
— Eavan Boland (1944-2020)

In the worst hour of the worst season
of the worst year of a whole people
a man set out from the workhouse with his wife.
He was walking—they were both walking—north.
(Read the rest on Academy of American Poets)

Write a poem inspired by something in this poem. It doesn’t have to be about the pandemic. There is so much more you can discover about relationships and humanity in the poem. Find your groove and write.

As usual, you can post your poem here if you like. You will need a password. Write to theliterarynest@gmail.com if you need the password.