Life in the Dark Lane
Donal Smyth
Life in the Dark Lane is Dónal Smyth’s first book of poetry. The personal theme of this honest and forthright collection touches on how chronic pain, coupled with suicidal depression, is diminished by finding love again. His personal struggles give rise to some dark poems in this book, questioning life in the ‘dark lane’. But after darkness can come light, and many such inspirational poems are represented here.
Dónal Smyth is a native of Dalkey, Co. Dublin and currently resides in Gorey, Co. Wexford. He grew up in a small cottage on the pier of Bulloch Harbour, and several of his poems, inspired by the sea and living near a working harbour, have helped to lighten the mood of this important collection.
Dónal finds writing poetry helps him gather his thoughts and distract his mind. The sincerity of the poems in Life in the Dark Lane will, no doubt, impart confidence and hope to others with similar life struggles.
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Rob Smyth –
This is a very personal and important book to read. Not only does it share what Dónal is and has experienced in his lifetime. But it touches upon our own vulnerability as we navigate through the mystery of life and love.
Tim L –
Powerful poetry. The author shares his darkest thoughts, juxtaposed with uplifting bliss. A deeply personal book that is both accessible and wholly unique. Highly recommended.
Kristina long doyle –
This book hit me right in the heart it came to me when I needed it the most I read this amazing book it was amazing it’s the type of books I love to read I read it twice it was good I’m honestly so sad I finished it a lot of what you were talking about I understand exactly what your talking about with your struggles in a different way but I understand I struggle in a lot of ways I understand your pain I have a favourite quote “while asleep I may never wake for a cruel way to leave I’d rather stay awake in pain then die and not say I love you never felt before now I’m afraid my future in the hands of a team a team I do not know to them I pray please let me say goodbye “ it’s so beautiful.
Grace O’Reilly –
My Book Review on ‘Life in the Dark Lane’ by Dónal Smyth
© Grace O’Reilly 11.8.24
‘Life in the Dark’ Lane is Smyth’s debut poetry collection, published days ago by Boland Press. He also designed his own book cover from scratch! Dónal’s no stranger to writing having written his own book in 1999, ‘Bulloch Harbour – Past and Present’, and then collaborated with ‘Dalky – An Anthology’ in 1998, which included the Late Maeve Binchy. He designed the cover of this book also, using a photo.
This book of poetry ‘Life in the Dark Lane’ is something that many of us can relate too. The trials and tribulations of life can make it difficult at times, but living with a ‘black dog’ 24/7 is hard enough without living with chronic pain on top. The poetry within whilst many are dark, also have uplifting poems. Rainbows are beautiful but without rain, there’s no rainbows.
Smyth’s works inside these heart-pored pages are about love, the weather, life at sea, happiness, his love for animals, (he has a physical fluffy black dog too – but this one is nice and called Raine – and a white one, and 4 cats), and then the main focus is on ‘Life in the Dark Lane’.
It’s about how we as people we can relate to ‘Imposter Syndrome’, as we all have moments when there’s ongoing mental questions nit-picking away, (our inner demons) which Dónal refers to many times, including in the poem, ‘Life in the Dark Lane’
“When the demons within strike,…”
Personally, I can relate with my chronic pain and mental health issues. Thank God, we’ve come a long way from mental health being a taboo topic, but it’s still not enough. God, is mentioned many times whilst not in a religious way as is Dónal’s guardian angel who has many poems about her. Dónal attempted suicide numerous times. Once you successfully end your life, there’s no coming back!
‘From There to Now’
“We’ve all been there before
but we’re not all going to make it.
As I sit here and write this
another person decides to end it.”
The last time I felt suicidal was less than a fortnight after my Dad passed and I walked out of a group of 9 and a half years because I was treated despicably, and was extremely vulnerable. My husband is still upset about this!
I also know how emotionally, physically and mentally draining ‘Life in the Dark Lane’ can be. This book yells loud and is why, I think everyone needs to read it, so they don’t feel alone, and lose their will live.
‘Reprieve’,
Sleep is the best painkiller’ and then you feel guilty, angry and sad, that you’ve ‘wasted’ a day, and that there will be lots of other similar days. Pacing is a huge thing for people in chronic pain and with anxiety and setting our ‘Goals too High’.
As a person with chronic pain, and mental health issues writing is so therapeutic. For Dónal poetry’s his therapy and readers of this collection will see that they are not alone. Dónal’s my friend and is a member of ‘Pen Pals in the Pod’. Many poems were written since then, including ‘Emotions’ and ‘Call Me’. Our group is more than just that. We support eachother in every way, we are friends!
I am honoured there is a poem entitled ‘Grace’,
“Pen Pals first on Wednesday
then Parkrun on Saturday”.
‘Early Morning Fishing’
“Yet looking at the sky tells you everything
red sky at night, sailor’s delight
red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning…”
The contrast of dark clouds and winter, and the uplifting colourful rainbows and sunshine, gives readers a real visual into Dónal’s thoughts at that time, “…purple rain” ‘Day Dream’. You see a mental colour block in ‘Realisation of Colour’, and asking questions, with response in unsolicited answers, “ …what is colour,…”, to “What consists of a tear?” in ‘Tears of Emotion’.
There is one prose piece included, ‘Fisherman’ from his book ‘Bulloch Harbour – Past and Present where in this he mentions his Late father ‘Snowy’ and life with the sea.
The love Dónal has for his wife, Maaike radiates like the
“sun shimmering on the water”,
‘The Bay’, and referring to “my Dutch Princess” in ‘Will she be mine’ and how ‘Happy’ he is as
“She makes me feel alive inside”,
his love pours out onto paper. He writes about the nerves of meeting Maaike online, to meeting in person and about how wonderful and calm she makes him feel in ‘The First Time’, ‘Touch-down’ and ‘Does she know’.
His book is dedicated to Maaike and his 3 children, Dónal, Laura and Ciarán, as well as ‘Pen Pals in the Pod’ Writing Group.
‘Life in the Dark Lane’ IS a must read!
Suzanne Duffy –
This book is poetry of the highest standard. A Fisherman’s Chore and South westerly have great tone and vivid imagery. I can relate to the poem Life In The Dark Lane. The poem You’re Not Alone is just beautiful. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.