WHEN I AM PERPLEXED BY WORK
BUSY BANQUET OF SUMS
PHONES RINGING
DOORS BUSTLING
I GO TO THE NUN’S FIELD
INTO MY MANSION OF DAISIES
WHERE GOLDFINCH SINGS
AS HE STRIPS THE BLACKHEAD

I KNOW
THE HOUR OF MY LIFE IS COMING
TO BEND THE BLOSSOM ON THE HEDGEROW LAY
TO SAY TO FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE
I WILL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
THE SINKING OF MY HEART TITANIC
A QUESTION FESTERED IN MY MIND
I MUST WRAP MYSELF IN INNER COURAGE
REMEMBERING REJECTION IS A PASSING PHASE

I sit by the Liffey

Water mirrors the trees

A fox meanders across the bank

Striking terror

A frightened Blackbird takes off

Leaving a trail of fright

Lorries screech at the bridge

I watch two pigeons making love

A bluetit dances before me

And I can almost hear the grass growing

I watch a sedge
Fleeing the water
Finding its wings
Flirting with its own
I enjoy the moment
In its winged dazzle
Then I see a trout
Gathering into another rhythm
To take the small beauty

THE MORNING

A blossom falls
Into the Liffey
A reed tingles into dance
Serenades a cooing pigeon
Raindrops from a leaf
Cause a stir
A fleeting Kingfisher
Fills the water with blue
And a blackbird talks to me
This is my morning
The beginning of my day

Swans in DeBurghs Wood