Brendan Kennelly Quotes

I know it does not matter that I do not understand.

I go back beyond the old man Mind and body broken To find the unbroken man. It is the moment before the dance begins. Your lips are enjoying themselves Whistling an air. Whatever happens or cannot happen In the time I have to spare I see you dancing father

Love will come to rule the world, that is, women will rule the world. Although what you're about to see might seem to say that women are the rags and tatters of humanity or, at best, the perks of war, women will rule the world. I know that. I know it in all my broken dreams. (*Almost bemusedly.*) Women will rule the world. (The Trojan Women)

Begin Begin again to the summoning birds to the sight of light at the window, begin to the roar of morning traffic all along Pembroke Road. Every beginning is a promise born in light and dying in dark determination and exaltation of springtime flowering the way to work. Begin to the pageant of queuing girls the arrogant loneliness of swans in the canal bridges linking the past and future old friends passing though with us still. Begin to the loneliness that cannot end since it perhaps is what makes us begin, begin to wonder at unknown faces at crying birds in the sudden rain at branches stark in the willing sunlight at seagulls foraging for bread at couples sharing a sunny secret alone together while making good. Though we live in a world that dreams of ending that always seems about to give in something that will not acknowledge conclusion insists that we forever begin. BRENDAN KENNELLY