Jannet L. Walsh, August 16, 2024, from Murdock, Minnesota
‘Tis the eve of the new electric ferry Wolfe Islander IV’s official start of full-time service between Kingston and Wolfe Island, ON, according to Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
This post is to honor the late John “Johnny” Francis O’Shea (May 15, 1932 – September 11, 2023), of Wolfe Island, ON. While working on my writing project on Wolfe Island, I had the chance to meet with Johnny twice. He was the island’s esteemed storyteller and was referred to as the Bard of Wolfe Island. My Irish Walsh family had ties to Wolfe Island and Kingston, from 1842 – 1877, before migrating south to Minnesota.
Johnny, the Bard of Wolfe Island, returned home on board the Wolfe Islander IV ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island, Saturday, September 16, 2023, and is among the few individuals, living or dead, who have been aboard all of the four Wolfe Island ferries. View obituary of Johnny O’Shea at obituary at The Whig Standard, Kingston, ON, published September 14, 2023.
I’ve written a prose poem to honor his contributions as a storyteller. A prose poem is a composition having traits of symbols, metaphors, and figures of speech common to poetry. Learn more about prose poems at the Poetry Foundation website.
At the end the poem, you will see my author’s notes about the poem, a few more details about Johnny, and my connections to Wolfe Island. Special thanks to Johnny’s daughter Liz O’Shea in preparation for this blog post, and to Captain Brian P. Johnson, retired captain of the Wolfe Islander III Ferry, for his help with maritime terms for my poem. Poet Tracy Ross, one of my writing project mentors, helped edit my poem about Johnny for clarity.
Please feel free to share this post, read it while waiting for the Wolfe Islander IV to arrive, or as you pass on the Road of Water between Wolfe Island and Kingston. I think if Johnny were still living, he’d be on the first ferry ride from Wolfe Island to Kingston. Certainly, he’d have a story to tell you!"
The Islander Johnny O’Shea, Bard of Wolfe Island (May 15, 1932 -September 11, 2023)
O holy milk cows!
In the middle of the St. Lawrence River,
out towards Button Bay on Wolfe Island,
Johnny O’Shea is on top of the pile – pitchin’ down!
The cow’s milk does not stop flowing,
and the pitchforks are never idle in the O’Shea cow barn.
There’s cheese to be made!
In the village of Marysville, it’s coffee all around at the diner.
If by chance you are sitting next to Johnny, then you are in his audience.
There are unlimited stories ready to be poured, and yarns to spin, as Johnny is here.
Listen, and listen well, unless you need to catch the next ferry to Kingston!
The bishop’s seat is in Kingston on Johnson Street at the Cathedral.
Yet, Johnny’s chair at home on the island is certainly plusher, and more comfortable.
Private audiences, and hospitality, yield unstoppable and lyrical stories on offer,
and certainly, the stories are repeated for your listening pleasure without question.
On Johnny’s final voyage home on the road of water from Kingston to the Wolfe Island,
Captain’s horns sound between the Wolfe Islander III and Wolfe Islander IV.
Maritime crews on the docks and ferries stand at attention, with hats off.
Ahoy! The ‘Bard’ of Wolfe Island is now home on the island,
and he has aged cheddar cheese for his journey!
Listen up, islanders at the foot, head, village, and out towards Horne Point!
Within Canadian waters of the St. Lawrence River, not far from American waters,
horns from the Wolfe Islander III and Wolfe Islander IV can be heard.
Ferry captains give their salute, blow their horns:
One long blast, followed by two short blasts.
It’s now time to head up the hemlock hill.
All the residents there are deep in their eternal sleep:
Receive an alert of all hands-on deck!
There’s a new storyteller, bard, ready to take on audiences in heaven.
Put the water on to boil, and fill up your cup of tea, Saint Peter!
Johnny O’Shea’s stories are starting now!
Cheese will be served.
By Jannet Walsh. Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Written at home, Murdock, Minnesota
July 18, 2024
Jannet Walsh's story of who she is and why she visits Wolfe Island was best told by Brian J. Johnson in our Volume 18, Issue 2, February 2023 Issue entitled: Irish Bard’ Finds Family Roots on Wolfe Island.
Editor's Note: Our thanks to Jannet L. Walsh who generously suggested that TI Life readers may like her latest entry in her Nonfiction Writing Project – Irish Diaspora Family Stories from Minnesota and Canada. Of course, this editor wholeheartedly agreed, and we look forward to highlighting many more of her escapades. If you are interested in Wolfe Island and special history – by all means subscribe to her blog!
Posted in: Volume 19, Issue 9, September 2024, Poetry, History, People
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