Enfield

I remember Enfield and the sweet grey air,
the relief of landing, the strangeness of Ireland,
the fast traffic, the litter and the friendliness of the people,
the roadside graves, the royal canal and the tall grasses,
and the lovely town.
Where the bypass hums with a restless modern engine,
but the water holds the shadow of the old stone walls,
and the swans cut lines through the quiet afternoon.
A gateway opening to the wider fields of Meath,
where neon signs and ancient soil meet at the crossroads,
and a stranger is offered a smile before a name.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Poems from L7 Blue to Jaysus UHL

I'm so happy to finally be publishing L7 Blue on here. Formerly 'It's not you I look for'. L7 Blue has come out nicely.  L7 Blue tells the story of when JM became the central figure in my life in Limerick, and the many lessons learned. I hope you enjoy the poem. I don't look for him really, but I remember. I remember when I'm eating rice crackers and salad with 198 Champagne (Apple and Elderflower sparkling water) and I remember and hope he's okay. I remember JM and his unconditional kindness that was an antidote to the man who left me on the streets of Limerick. Here's L7 Blue.  L7 Blue (formerly "It’s Not You I Look For") It’s not you I look for when I walk down O’Connell in the rain, It’s not your face in the crowd I seek again and again, Down at the boardwalk it’s not you I watch for, although the memory is there, Shannon and the lights sparkle but it’s not about you — you’re not there. I don’t go looking for you at the Salmon Leap, It’s no...
Read more

He's Gone

 I heard today that my friend had died, and I wrote this.  He’s gone— the news arrived today. He’s gone, so far away. His voice, his smile, his gentle grace, live only now in memory’s space. No more upon the clifftop high, laughing as the seabirds fly, watching basking sharks below, his joy a light, a steady glow. No longer at the front he’ll stand, words of comfort close at hand; that smile we cherished, kind and true, a gift the world no longer knew. He’s gone— and none can take his place. He walks in heaven, face to face with our Lord, his journey done— no longer bound, but home, at one.
Read more

I'll Start by Remembering

I’ll start by remembering, Something I don’t often do, Trying to draw back the veil, And bring back memories of you. I’m sad there’s little good I find, Not much light I can see, When I search back through my mind For what used to be. I did my best for your sake, But you were never grateful. I tried my best to keep you safe, Yet in return—you’ve been hateful. I carried your burdens for years, Though none of them were mine. You taught me silence and fear, Then called it “doing fine.” I learned to smile through sorrow, To mend what you would break, To dream of kinder tomorrows For everyone’s sake. But love can’t bloom in shadows, Or in a house of blame. You burned the bridges we needed— And still, I took the flame. Now I stand in the ashes, Breathing, scarred, but free. Your ghosts can’t chain me anymore— They have no claim on me. So let the distance stand between, A mercy, cold and true. No bridge, no bond, no beckoning Just silence left of you. I’ve made my peace with parting, No wish,...
Read more