HAREBELLS OVER MANNIN BAY Half moon of moon-pale sand. Sea stirs in midnight blue. Looking across to the Twelve Pins The singular harebells stand. The sky's all azure. Eye To eye with them upon Cropped grass, I note the harebells give Faint echoes of the sky. For such a Lilliput host To pit their colours against Peacock of sea and mountain seems Impertinence at least. These summer commonplaces, Seen close enough, confound A league of brilliant waves, and dance On the grave mountain faces. Harebells, keep your arresting Pose by the strand. I like These gestures of the ephemeral Against the everlasting. -- C. Day-Lewis, late Poet Laureate of England, born in Co. Laois