Céad mile fáilte, my dear digital friends. Happy St. Paddy’s Day week! I hope it’s filled with craic and the joy of living. For in the immortal words of Oscar Wilde, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” 🥃☘️
After reading this week’s poem, if you’re so inclined, feel free to scroll down and check out some of the things happening in my world as I continue these adventures in writing. Now, on to some new poetry….
This week’s poem (and holiday) reminds me of the role that circles and cycles play in my Irish heritage.
It begins with the ancient notion of birth, death, and rebirth. An endless circle of transitions from one existence to the next. That pagan notion was integrated as the Irish converted to Christianity – the unique design of the Celtic Cross being a great example of it.
And there are still over 300 stone circles in existence in Ireland, built 3000-5000 years ago. Tourist attractions today, they once served as ritual burial sites, calendars, and territorial markers, and often correspond with festivals like Samhain or Beltane.
Then to appreciate cycles in Irish culture, one must only look to the four cycles of Irish mythology…
I won’t fill up 5,000 more words in this post around these amazing myths and legends; but if you are curious, I have linked each to other blogs that are certain to slake your Fenian quest for knowledge.
Many of you familiar with my poetry know how much I love to harken back to these amazing stories in some of my writings. Perhaps even a soft allusion to the Salmon of Knowledge?
According to legend, a salmon ate nine magical hazel nuts that fell into the water, gaining all the knowledge in the world. The first person to taste the fish would inherit this wisdom. Enter Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool). Best name ever.
The point is this: things have a way of coming full circle. Ancient things can take on modern meaning. And connecting ourselves to our unique ancestry can be fascinating.
I’m curious: what stories, legends, myths from your own heritage have deeply moved or affected you?
As always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to this week’s poem in the “Leave a Reply” comment section at the very bottom of this page.
-PS Conway ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
the trees ask no tithe
i stepped between the birches, damp and gray
where mottled light lay pooled and last year’s leaves
disguised all signs of passage as once ordained
they simply let me pass and asked no tithe
the forest closed behind me like a prayer
each step an amen the trees my sacred witness
until i chanced upon a mossy stone
its lines obscured by time, carved once with care
i brushed the brambles back and caught my breath
the air stilled to aid my recollection
the stone bore no date nor name for me to claim
yet i knew the shape it was made to mark
i hovered above my abandoned grave
beyond that stone the hazel grove beckoned
its fruit and secrets plopping into pools
no salmon stirred nor other revelations
just the startled quiet holding me tight
eyes blinked, lost in time with each solemn splash
a soul attached to ripples, outward cast
perhaps to never know how i once began
but at last return to all that i am
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
This Week’s Links to my published work…
- Purchase Echoes Lost in Stars
- on Amazon USA: https://a.co/d/eZPzwxX
- on Amazon Canada: https://a.co/d/ebjqinU
- on Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/avWTF19
- on Amazon DE: https://amzn.eu/d/8IDYSIv
- Purchase Life Sucks
- on Amazon USA: https://a.co/d/arnze2N
- on Amazon Canada: https://a.co/d/8sBYofv
- on Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/brzfJ4l
- on Amazon DE: https://amzn.eu/d/95Y4WAA
- My author website: https://psconway.com/
- My Interview with AllAuthor : https://allauthor.com/interview/psconway/
Media News…
*COMING SOON* Just finished my interview with Steve Cuden for his brilliant podcast StoryBeat – what a great conversation! It should air April 21 at Noon. More to come – but do check out Steve’s interviews with other writers and artists – https://www.storybeat.net/
*NEW* My interview with Editor-in-Chief, Gabriela Marie Milton of Literary Revelations Publishing House: https://literaryrevelations.com/2026/01/25/the-portrait-of-a-poet-ps-conway/ ☘️🌹
*NEW* My interview with author Tricia Copeland on her podcast Finding the Magic Book is now available to watch: https://youtu.be/NhieYECI-H4 🤯🥂
Latest Publication News
It has been a productive last few months for me. Nine poems published. If you are interested in a copy of any of these, I have embedded the Amazon links below.
- My poem the color of staying will be published in the Spring’26 edition of PHIL LIT Journal on March 15. This literary journal “promotes writing that engages with philosophical, metaphysical, ethical, & existential themes; without sacrificing beauty, craft, surprise, or risk.” Please be sure to check it out. Super humbled to be published with so many other amazing writers.
* - I have two poems published in The Belfast Review, Winter/Spring 2026. Based in the north of Ireland, this gorgeous emerging literary magazine, in addition to poetry, “aims to create a dialogue between the arts, featuring genres not usually included in literary journals such as song lyrics, plays, screenplays, and hybrid forms, to better reflect the lived experience of art, the self, and the city.”
Latest News – Life Sucks…
So far, Life Sucks has received so many ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Editorial Reviews. More to come soon.
I’m anticipating a whole bunch of solid Reader Reviews to begin populating Amazon in the next few weeks, too. The goal is to get to 50 Reader Reviews asap to kick Amazon’s promotion engine into a higher gear.
Speaking of Editorial Reviews, we secured a BIG ONE – BookLife. This is the indie press division of Publishers Weekly and represents a major credibility lift to my published work. Here is a link, in case you’re interested in reading the entire review:
And here are a few other snippets of other editorial reactions so far!
– “Snort-laughs and gasp-worthy wit – PS Conway goes there, and it’s hilarious.”
– “A must-read for anyone stressed, cynical, or just in need of a damn good laugh.”
– “Darkly funny, brutally honest, and weirdly comforting – like therapy, but with colonoscopies.”
☘️ COME BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW POETRY ☘️
Loved your poem: the trees ask no tithe
So glad to hear! Thank you 🙏🏻 🥂
What a way to write about letting go of who you are to become a part of nature, a “spooky” scene that ends in a very peaceful, “simple” way. Enjoyed this poem, as always, dear friend! Great write!
Thanks so much, PS! I love the idea of “we end as we begin.” I think in my own bizarro way that was the goal. Mission accomplished? Why not? Let’s say yes! 🙏🏻☘️🥂🌹
Mission accomplished!
😎🌹😎