In Love With Words
Last Thursday I attended Recovery Resources Annual Luncheon at Windows on the River. I went to support a worthwhile organization and came away in love with words all over again. Malachi McCourt, author of the autobiography “A Monk Swimmin’” and the brother of Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes was the keynote speaker.
Here was a man who truly loved words. He began his speech, more a series of tales rather than a “speech” with the comment that there was only one word in the English language for “sober” which was “sober” but on the other hand, there was a huge list to subsitute for “drunk” He then proceeded to regale us with a long list from “a to z” of words that described drunkenness. Make your own list with your friends. It will amaze you.
He told us many other things and I may relate them in other posts, but today, I want to share the poem he recited that made me fall in love with words all over again–The Stolen Child by William Butler Yeats. He recited this poem in the rich tones of an Irish brogue, and it was just flat beautiful.
If you ever get the chance to hear Mr. McCourt speak, please do so. You will be glad that you did. I am.