Greg McVicker 
An Irish Heart 
Poetic Memoirs of a Belfast Child

The composition of story based poetry comes from the depths of one’s soul while reflecting upon the human journey of life. Quite often, it is the author’s own experiences wrapped between lines of stanza and prose. Yet, and although the footprint we leave behind is considered “unique” in its impression, it is shared with perfect strangers who become acquaintances through poetic inscriptions. Irish Author and Poet, Greg Mc Vicker, was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during a period of sectarian hatred and a violent, political war known as ‘The Troubles’. In his professional career as a Social Worker, Greg is unwavering in his efforts to shed light on various experiences that people have in their daily lives, both individually and collectively, but are often left to suffer in silence.Using his distinctive style of storytelling by way of stanza and prose, Greg dives headfirst into the turbulent cycle of life. He writes unashamedly from his heart, reaching out to his readers and carrying them along the waves of an emotional tsunami. His poetic stories have and will continue to affect untold numbers of individuals throughout their lifetime. “The Book and Poetry are so special. It is a very heartwarming, disturbing, and complex view of how things were from Greg’s journey from his beloved ‘Norn Iron’ to Canada, and beyond, with great principles at work in himself, and from many others whom he met along the way. It incorporates Spiritual, Psychological, and Political Dimensions. Greg’s journey proves again, that despite cruelty, and terrible conditions, human beings can somehow get through the worst that life throws at us, with love, support, and friendship, which re-ignites ‘the Will to Live’. His Irish, Canadian, and Humanitarian Spirit looms large through his writing and his beautiful poetry. It is profound, funny, and moving. It deserves to be read carefully to the end, in a spirit of meditative reflection in order to fully appreciate the character of the man and his journey.”- Gerry Rogers. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tabela de Conteúdo

Inroduction:In the 1980’s, a trio of brothers from the small farming community of Derrylin, County Fermanagh, traded in their traditional Irish instruments and would go on to form one of Northern Ireland’s most powerful and successful rock bands: Mama’s Boys. The music as created by Pat, John, and Tommy Mc Manus instills as much inspiration today as the day it was first unleashed to their faithful global following, including me.As a result, and for years, I tried writing songs inspired by these musical geniuses, since they had left the deepest, and most profound of impacts, upon my eager mind. No matter how hard I tried, however, my compositions would end up in poetic format.As my hand at songwriting failed, some of the poems were created with guidance from my beloved mum, Catherine Mc Vicker, who departed from this world on May 11, 2005. Her memoir can be seen within ‘Mum’s Lament’; her full story is captured through a personal reflection of the same name and appears within my first published book:‘Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child:
Life. Personal Reflections. Poems.’It speaks to my mum’s undying love, dedication, and concerted efforts to protect her four asthmatic children throughout one of the most, darkest periods, during Ireland’s brutal history, often referred to as ‘The Troubles.’ Her story tells that a mother’s love knows no boundaries, even during her own time under a veil of death’s calling.Since publishing Belfast Child, a wonderful colleague of mine, Henrietta Pratt, suggested that I put all of my poems forth into their own book. Each poem is penned using a storytelling format, speaking to life-changing events that everyone can relate to and reflect upon.As I often say, “In life, we all have a cross to bear and a very unique story to tell; we just hope that someone will take the time to listen.”So here we are… thank you for taking that time.Interview with Greg Mc Vicker, poet and author of multiple books including ‘Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child’Celtic Life International: Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child Belfast Craic: An interview with Irish Author and Social Worker, Greg Mc Vicker Irish Poems with Greg Mc Vicker:Novel Ideas: Greg Mc Vicker:

Sobre o autor

Irish Author and Poet, Greg Mc Vicker, was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during a period of sectarian hatred and a violent, political war known as ‘The Troubles’. Along with his siblings, his parents chose to leave behind their own beloved families, and their homeland, for a better chance at life and ending up relocating to Winnipeg. This began what Greg describes as an ‘Everlasting Homesickness’.

In his professional career as a Social Worker, Greg has focused his efforts in working with Canada’s First Nations and in bringing much needed awareness to their own daily struggles, social injustices and inequities.

Greg is unwavering in his efforts to shed light on various social injustices that people have experienced in their daily lives, both individually and collectively, but are often left to suffer in silence.