English, World, Ireland, Irish, Poetry, Collection, Languages, Pádraig Ó Tuama

The One Thing by Pádraig Ó Tuama

By T.

1 January 2026

1.06k

The One Thing
Pádraig Ó Tuama

There must have been some other me, who
lived some other time, who realised he
knew the one thing that would save me.

And he must have found a little window,
opened it — and shouted through it —
that saving sound that saved me.

And he must have felt a failure, I am sure,
that other me, because he failed, he did, he didn’t
save me from the other things that beat me.

And he must have sat, like some sad god,
from sadder scriptures, and wept at all
he failed to do, he had so little time. And

all my life, I have been climbing up to little
windows — opening them — and saying
the one thing I can say: thank you

KEEP READING

SHARED WITH GRATITUDE

This poem appeared in From Feed the Beast by Pádraig Ó Tuama, published by Broken Sleep Books, 2022. (Available direct from Broken Sleep Books • Also on: Amazon • Bookshop)

DESCRIPTION

“Feed the Beast by Pádraig Ó Tuama features poems which meditate on sexuality and religion. This breathtaking book charts the landscape into-and out of-the world of “gay cure” and reparative therapy. Having undergone treatments, therapies, and exorcisms for gagging the gay in him, Pádraig Ó Tuama pushes past gods and devils and searches for language that might offer safety. At the core of this collection is a breathtaking erasure poem written in response to the Vatican’s statement on the blessing of same-sex unions. With dexterous use of form and voice, Feed the Beast explores registers of rage and resilience. Whether in parable, narrative or song, whether in tenderness or fear, the reader encounters poems that are honed, necessary and-finally-hopeful.” (Source)

ABOUT PáDRAIG Ó TUAMA

Pádraig Ó Tuama received a BA (Div) from Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, and an MTh from Queens University Belfast. Ó Tuama is the author of the poetry collections Kitchen Hymns (Copper Canyon Press, 2025); Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community (Canterbury Press, 2017); Sorry for Your Troubles (Canterbury Press, 2013); and Readings from the Books of Exile (Canterbury Press, 2012), all published in the United Kingdom. He is also the editor of the anthology Poetry Unbound (W…. (more)