Tuesday, 1 November 2022

Under-14s

In Creeslough, on a Friday,
time stopped forever
for ten people who had things to do.
Leona Harper had been raised
like all our children;
to see and live through adulthood.
The under-14s rugby player
was just like my daughters,
who wear under-14s soccer boots.

We often stop at Applegreen
after training,
so they can get Slushees.
In Lemybrien, on Fridays.

Saturday, 1 October 2022

Chiffchaff

Staring from a golden eye-ring,
checking whether you can fly.
You just stand and get your bearings,
silent when not set up high.
Then the assurance in the wings,
back to where you are not shy
to chiff and chaff and trill and sing,
for audiences far and wide.
In comfort you are trumpeting,
outside of it you only hide.
When you feel at home you bring
your special notes that fill the sky.