Westmeath resident's poetic tribute to Sinéad
A Westmeath resident has penned a beautiful poem in honour of the late Sinéad O'Connor, whose death was announced yesterday.
Like thousands of others across the country, Mary Egan Campbell, who lives in Streamstown, but is originally from Clara in Offaly, was devastated at the news of the acclaimed singer's passing at the age of just 56.
Mary described Sinéad O'Connor as the voice of her generation, her hero and a great loss to all.
"She inspired teenagers like me to stand up for ourselves and speak out about injustice, to break free of the shackles imposed on us by church and state and our own communities, and I will be forever grateful for her voice."
As a mother Mary said her heart broke for her when Sinéad's son died last year, and she knows that she is at peace now by his side.
Mary wrote this poem in her honour this morning.
The Voice
(in loving memory of Sinéad O'Connor 1966 -2023)
by Mary Egan Campbell
Her song was carried on the winds of change
Her pain poured out across the world stage
And in her words, the blood of injured souls
Crying out for Ireland’s history to be retold
She gave her voice to all who couldn’t speak
In the giving, truth laid bare for all to see
When she sang, all nation’s hearts were broken
Her tears, the tears of all who’d never spoken
Unafraid, but the toll of stepping into the light
Like a moth to the flame, her bravery stole her life
Nothing compares to the pain of a mother’s loss
No one else can know the torment or the cost
Farewell brave soldier, our own Joan of Arc
Night skies have sadly lost their brightest star!