Galway's literary community has been shocked this week with the passing of poet and writer Kevin Higgins.
When Kevin was diagnosed with serious illness late last year, he and I agreed to publish in poetic form in the Advertiser, his regular musings on the reality of illness and hospitalisation.
This process yielded some wonderful works which illustrated that no matter how much the body might let you down, the mind and its creative impulses continue to create thought-provoking works.
Just a few days ago, Kevin sent me the last poem. I was working on placing it in this week's Advertiser when word came through to me that he had passed away.
To his beloved Susan, to all his friends, to all he inspired and encouraged and taught, my deepest condolences.
Through all my time here at the Advertiser, Kevin has been a contributor across all fields whose work caused thought, provoked debate and gave cultural value to those who read it.
Here is his final contribution, dedicated to the many who have suffered bereavement in the past while and to those, like Kevin, who have faced illness challenges.
I Always Thought I’d Live
I always thought I’d live to learn how to swim
do the backward butterfly to Olympic standard
and see trickle-down economics deliver
at least one albeit slightly polluted drop.
I always thought I’d live to learn how to drive,
win at least one Grand Prix motor racing championship
and see the Democrats legislate for free
universal health care.
I always thought I’d live to tidy
the books off the study floor
and see fascists give up
stabbing black boys at bus stops
because peaceful protests
have eloquently made them
see the error of their ways.
But the books that made me
still decorate the study floor
and I don’t have the oxygen to shift them.
My consultants are unanimous
my days marching to places like Welling
and Trafalgar Square are over.
The risk of getting tossed into the back of a police van
by over enthusiastic members of the constabulary
is a luxury my lungs can no longer afford.
Even holding a placard in my wheelchair
would soon have me gasping for breath.
And I thought I’d always live.
KEVIN HIGGINS
