'I write poems because I have to' Laois retired chef to launch book
A retired Laois chef and restaurateur has swapped his apron for a pen, to publish his first poetry book.
Declan Furlong from Mountmellick who with his wife Nina founded the Druid Pub and later The Hare's Corner restaurant, actually has been writing poems almost of his adult life, and is now ready to share them with the world.
He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live all about his poetic passion.
"My poetry is an eclectic mix. I don’t believe any form is superior to any other form. The most vital thing is that the poet must be truthful. If you have taken the time to properly learn your craft, then it simply comes down to whether or not you have something relevant to say or not.
"The poems in the book are arranged chronologically - age wise, starting from childhood and so forth. The book contains ballads, sonnets, villanelles, quatrains and free verse, with a nod towards surrealism. The poems relate to all facets of life experience in as musical a way as possible to me. There’s also a bit of craic here and there," he said.
"I don’t know what inspires me per se. I write poems because I have to. Poetry has helped me navigate through my life.
Declan began writing poems at the age of 20.
"I’ve been quite lazy over the years, discipline wise. Spent way too long editing, then re-editing. I think I’ve got the balance right now. Write the damn thing, work diligently on it for a week or so, then stick it in a drawer for at least a year before going back near it. If it still works, then comes the thrill of honing it down to its leanest form," he said.
His book has been published by Revival Press, a poetry publishers in Limerick where Declan is a member of the Limerick Writers Centre.
"I am so happy to finally publish. The day Revival Press contacted me to say they would accept my full collection was, no doubt about it, on a personal level, the greatest day in my life. Like any writer, there’s always self doubt, and I was as full of it as any. This validation has lifted a huge load from shoulders. It truly has," he said.
The Exquisiteness of Ladders will be launched at The Balcony Theatre this Friday, March 24 at 8pm, by special guest, poet and editor Ann Egan.
There is an open invitation to all to come along, with live music, canapés, refreshments and what Declan promises to be "an almighty music session afterwards in The Druid".
The book will be on sale in O’Gorman’s, Ger Phillip’s Shop and also online at https://limerickwriterscentre.com/ product-category/revival- press/