Selected Poems of Padraic Colum

This collection, Selected Poems of Padraic Colum, presents a rich tapestry of his poetic journey, exploring themes of life, memory, and the Irish experience.

Padraic Colum was a key figure in the Irish literary revival, sharing the stage with renowned contemporaries like Yeats, Lady Gregory, and Synge. This collection, Selected Poems of Padraic Colum, features 40 of his poems, showcasing his prolific career from his debut book, 'Wild Earth' (1907), to his final work, 'Images of Departure' (1969). Colum's poetic journey reflects his deep connection to the Irish landscape and its people, capturing the essence of their experiences.

At just twenty-three, Colum had already established himself as a versatile and gifted writer. He played a significant role in the Irish National Theatre Society, co-founded the Abbey Theatre, and was a unique voice among his peers, being the only Roman Catholic and peasant-born member of the literary revival. AE inspired Colum to embrace his mission as a poet, focusing on the authentic Irish peasant experience that he portrayed with clarity and strength.

Colum's first collection, Wild Earth, laid the groundwork for his poetic legacy, highlighting the nobility of those connected to the earth and the cycles of life. Throughout his long career, he authored over sixty books, yet it is his lyric poetry that endures. Following the death of his wife, Molly, in 1957, Colum's work took on a reflective tone, as seen in Irish Elegies and Images of Departure, where he poignantly revisits memories of friends and the art he cherished, creating a heartfelt farewell to both life and creativity.