Rosemary Kelly McBarron

Belonging Rosemary Kelly McBarron

Belonging is a poetry collection of memories of being a child and teenager in Ballymena, Northern Ireland in the 50's & 60's. And whilst leaving Ireland aged 19 there is still a strong sense of belonging. You can't forget the family, religion or culture you are born into and being Irish is still a strong pull. So much of that time is gone but remembered in these poems. Being brought up on an estate meant mostly everyone was in the same situation - poor - and thankfully you didn't feel bad about it because you didn't know any better. You were equal among equals in those early days. 'The Games People Played' tells about free pastimes and play. And later on anyone who jived at the Flamingo Ballroom (or for that matter any other dancehall will remember the excitement). Me da thought the place was a den of iniquity and all we thought about was the dancing!