Episode 27 “Prayer before Birth” read by Louis McNiece - poet from Belfast READING POETRY #NaPodPoMo

From Cork With Love - by Paul O'Mahony · Nov 29, 2025 · 10m

You hear Louis McNiece reading his poem aloud - and Paul O’Mahony reading it twice.

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Prayer before Birth

By Louis MacNeice

I am not yet born; O hear me.

Let not the bloodsucking bat or the rat or the stoat or the

club-footed ghoul come near me.

I am not yet born, console me.

I fear that the human race may with tall walls wall me,

with strong drugs dope me, with wise lies lure me,

on black racks rack me, in blood-baths roll me.

I am not yet born; provide me

With water to dandle me, grass to grow for me, trees to talk

to me, sky to sing to me, birds and a white light

in the back of my mind…