Local author and partner of the publishing company ’Loaghtan Books’, Sara Goodwins was recently raised to the chair of the Manx Bard.

Each month she shares one of her poems with us, and explains what led her to write it.

I almost didn’t apply for the post of Manx Bard.

I considered the Bard very much to be a celebration of all things Manx.

I’m not Manx. I’m a comeover and, no matter how much I like the island and love living here, I wasn’t born here. (Very bad planning on the part of my parents I always feel.)

I eventually applied because I thought I’d regret it if I didn’t.

So there I was, just like all the other candidates, at the ceremony to announce the new Bard, listening to everyone else’s poetry and enjoying the ambience.

At the back of my mind I was wondering idly who would be appointed, quite sure it wouldn’t be me.

Then they read my name out. It was a huge shock.

Not only was the appointment a complete surprise, but continuing the tradition was a very big responsibility.

In particular taking over the Bard’s role (not to mention the robes, staff and that wonderful hat) from someone as well known as John ’Dog’ Callister was very daunting.

What had I got myself into?

So I thought that the first poem from the new Bard ought to ’set out the stall’ so to speak.

It ought to explain something about how I saw the Bard’s role as an ambassador for Manx culture and heritage.

I wanted the poem to acknowledge and thank the previous Bards whose mantle (we’re back to the Bard’s robes) I’ve inherited and whose work I am to continue.

And I wanted to emphasise, if I could, that poetry is a way of saying things which are difficult to say any other way.

I’m not sure that the new Bard’s first poem for Island Life does all this, but here it is anyway.

STEPPING UP

John ’Dog’ Callister’s very hard

An act to follow as Manx Bard.

It’s not his poetry alone

Which makes this craftsman so well known.

Curragh expert, gives guided walks

Complete with knowledgeable talks,

Cage for bumbees weaver, seer

Whose favourite building’s Ramsey Pier.

At Milntown, willow dragonflies -

His making - leap into the skies:

A well-known Manxman. This I’m not

(Neither Manx nor man), but on the spot

To take the torch and carry on

Where others’ feet before have gone.

The remit’s wide; to celebrate

All things which make this island great.

It doesn’t matter who is writing;

The work’s important, for we’re fighting

To keep alive - and this is key -

Manannan’s Isle’s identity.

That task is bigger than us all;

We work together or we fall.

’Comeover’, ’English’, and the rest

Is meaningless: I’ll do my best.

by Sara Goodwins

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