Tony Ryan

Biography

I have taught English for over 30 years in various local schools though I only do a bit of supply teaching now as I am a man of leisure ! I consider myself to be an existentialist since my loyalty is to the immediate present rather than the past or future and my preference is for existentialist literature and philosophy. Nothing highbrow though as I am a man of simple tastes. I have a passion for poetry and philosophy as long as I don't have to do anything about it lol. I am delighted to be alive since the only time I ever swam was when I beat 40 million sperm to the egg and boy did I time that right ! Finally, I love people, animals, people that are animals, nature and being pleasant Of the few virtues I practise, I am most inclined to forgiveness as vindictiveness is self-destructive. Thank you for reading this - I am obliged to you. Tony Ryan

Samples

CARPE DIEM Be sure your love be cast before the tide recedes, wild orchids they be weeds, the future soon be past. Winds whisper you must rush before your ardour cools, before wise men be fools, beware the final hush. Be sure your love be spent when climber tires of mountain, before the drought hits fountain, for life is merely lent. Pronounce it clear, be proud, while scaling Sun is East, before the most is least, for Time prepares your shroud. Be bold, you must not peep, the years will fall like snow; before the to be fro, you're called for final sleep. ----------------------------------------------- TRANSIENCE In the mirror of a sparkling dewdrop, before its plop to dusty extinction, I saw my life reflected. It shimmered, then cascaded its smile, knowing its plunge was cessation. It was a triumph for triviality, a lemming-leap to embrace obscurity, to celebrate, without inhibition, the significance of its insignificance. In its heedless leap I saw it all : my mortality stuttered to a standstill, momentous decisions were instantly reversible. In short, I was merely a blade of grass in a waving field. I was exultant. Tony Ryan

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.