Seamus+Heaney



SEAMUS HEANEY Background: Heaney was a man that wanted to give everything he had. “I have begun to think of life as a series of ripples widening out from an original center” (Heaney). Heaney from a young age wanted to learn and to be successful. At the age of twelve he won a scholarship to St. Columb’s College. He was a true poet and created many works of art such as his first major volume “Death of a Naturalist” which earned him many rewards including Gregory Award for Young Writers and the Geoffery Faber Prize. Not only did he like to write and publish his own work, but he also strived to improve the future poets. He was the first drop of water that created the widening ripples that continues on through the poets he helped shape. He taught at many universities including Oxford and Harvard, but he was not just an English teacher. Instead he was a Professor of Poetry and one of the best. He has passed on his knowledge and will continue to until the end of his days.

Poetry was a huge part of Heaney’s life; in fact it was his life. "Suddenly, the matter of contemporary poetry was the material of my own life" (Heaney). Heaney had a passion for poetry and could not get enough of it. He read poetry, taught poetry, and wrote poetry; he lived and breathed for poetry. While he was of at St. Columb’s College his brother, who was just four years old, died in an automobile accident. Heaney was struck hard and was able to get past his brother’s passing through poetry. His poems “Mid-term break” and “The Black Bird of Glanmore” were focused around his brother. He even later named one of his sons Christopher after his brother who passed. Without poetry Heaney would not be the person he is now. Just the same, Poetry would not be the same without Heaney.

Heaney wrote in a terrific and inspirational way that caught the attention of so many. “Poetry is always slightly mysterious, and you wonder what is your relationship to it” (Heaney). He wooed many with his adeptness to write poetry that it earned him many rewards. He acquired awards from his poetry such as District and Circle, which won him the 2006 T. S Eliot Prize. However, he earned many other awards not just for his poems. He was rewarded many teaching awards. He has recieved many high honors such as a Noble Prize in 1995, the Golden Wreath of Poetry in 2001, the T. S. Eliot Prize in 2006, and two Whitbread prizes in 1996 and 1999. He even recently was awarded with the Forward Prize for the Best Collection for Human Chain, which he received in 2010. He will continue to amaze his audience with his remarkable work even after he is gone.

Heaney was determined to make poetry his life and to help make it a part of everyone else’s. “The fact of the matter is that the most unexpected and miraculous thing in my life was the arrival in it of poetry itself - as a vocation and an elevation almost” (Heaney). Heaney acquired over 20 awards from his poems, teaching methods, and other great works. His drive and devotion to poetry has pushed Heaney to be one of the best poets. At 72 he is still winning very honorary awards for his poetry. Heaney is poetry and strives to make poetry seen by the world. His passion for poetry brings works of art that brings entertainment and knowledge to everyone. From a young age Heaney knew that poetry was going to be a part of his life. He has achieved the honor to be a called an extraordinary poet.

Heaney's poems