I was the expected
December baby
Who was delivered unexpectedly
In November;
A whopper in spite of this
A staggering ten pounds ten ounces.
My mother forgave me
I still haven’t.
∞
I’ve seen towns and cities
With a tourist’s eye
And more as a guest worker
As I hot bedded
In a Copenhagen apartment
Equipped for six
All eighteen of us
From the Liberties
And taking liberties.
∞
In Moscow
Before the Wall came down
I was a delegate of
Dublin Trades Council
Waving the flag there
Among Eastern Slavic men
Grey haired and grey faced
Ringing the death knell
Of International Communism.
∞
I’ve cradled baby rabbits
In my arms
And flushed dead goldfish
Down toilet bowls
Rubbed donkeys’ muzzles
In Connemara
And taken their bites.
∞
I have witnessed the passing
Of great people
Mainly my own
Granny Lizzie
Was buried
On the same day as Churchill
We stood at her grave;
My father followed
Much too young;
My mother’s leaving
Wounded me most
Long evenings
In St James’ Hospital
As she sang
And I hummed
The songs of her childhood.
I married
(Only the once so far)
And my current wife
First filled my heart
And then my arms
With a beautiful child.
∞
I’m called Grandad now
By two darling girls
One ten
One six
Who think me a wonder
But that won’t last.
∞
I’ve felt snow on my face
In the month of June
And heard thunder rumble
Over Icelandic volcanoes.
I’ve scoured market stalls
For knickknacks
And bought a tie
On Avenue Louise
I have since bought
A full suit for less.
∞
I’ve done this and more
And still have
Much more to do.
