Heaney caught our hearts off guard

The 2009 documentary Out of the Marvellous on the life and work of Seamus Heaney was re-broadcast on the day he died, Aug 30.

I had not seen it four years ago and was bowled over by it when I watched it this time. I felt I had got a glimpse into the soul of a uniquely gifted human being.

I was struck by his gentleness, his humility, his empathy, his simple eloquence and, above all, by his humanity. All of these attributes fused in a very special way to make Seamus Heaney the gifted man we, as Irish citizens, have become so proud of.

When asked by Charlie McCarthy during the documentary what might make a suitable epitaph for him, Heaney replied after some reflection: “Wherever that man went, he went gratefully” — a quote from a translation done by Seamus himself of Oedipus at Colonus, which is quite a revealing and thought-provoking choice.

I am sure I speak for many when I express my deep sense of gratitude for a life that has touched the souls of so many. He “caught our hearts off guard”, challenged us and inspired us to greater heights of awareness.

There will be a gaping space in the universe following his passing, but his light will continue to shine through his poetry.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.

Marion Horgan

Cobh

Co Cork