For onceThen always,A thought A word saidLodgedForever.

I walk familiar ways There is nothing but crows everywhere Dimming the light Squawking terror A multitude on a rampage Nothing is beautiful But I found a flower in the Abbey graveyard.

When I was a boy I worked in the nun's field Sowing potatoes One day The church bell rang  twice It stopped and rang twice again And again the bell stopped and rang again One ring for a man, two rings for a woman Pat King said Miss Dowling had died We stopped our work… Continue reading DEATH IN NAAS

  The starlings have gathered In their brownie black Flying in triumph There and back They screen the sun Like salty sand Thrown like grains from an open hand And maybe Or maybe not This is my lot To sit and dream upon my back Watching the starlings in brownie black

  I heard a blackbird singing after rain Telling me there is no love without pain Leaves blooming in admiration Listening to this singing sensation I could bring you snowdrops But their time has passed I will give you roses             Which carry only joy not sorrow And our love is now And tomorrow And tomorrow.

        I HAVE A GIFT OF ONE   I have a gift of one To be alone with  sounds Trees lassoing tides A bag drumming in a hedge A crow mimicking a jackdaw A thrush learning a new tune  A stair lazing on the bridge One with the Being of One Alone in the multiples… Continue reading