Poems by Brendan
THE CANAL WALK
A walk along the Canal
On a spring day
On my beloved’s arm
We stroll along
The wind in the rushes
The paint of the lock keeper’s cottages
We spot a crane
Tall and staring
We edge closer
It moves and flies away
A picture postcard moment
On and on we stroll
EARLY MORNING RAIN
A child running
A picture of innocence
The pink of cherry blossoms
Reflecting off the water
Memories of Japan
Rain in the distance
The mountain in the background
Freedom and holidays
All so peaceful
The trees have their secrets
Run girl run
Don’t look back
BOB AND ME
I know it’s nuts
But I once met Bob Dylan
Lying low in a kibbutz
He said, “I am just a song and dance man”
“It’s funny”, I said, “so am I”
But with an Irish slant
I said. “It’s cool to work here
And help out for free”
“That’s not my style,” said Bob
“I always collect my fee.”
THE CEMETERY
Each day I see them
Come and go
To visit their loved ones
Day in day out they come
Bearing plants and flowers
In both winter and summer
Moments of quiet desperation
Cool clear Cemetery
They shed their tears
For their loved ones departed
And hope to meet again
In God’s own time
BURIED ANGELS (Tuam and Letterfrack)
Buried angels Buried Babies
Buried secrets
Sins of the past
Deep in the soil
Grey clouds
People quietly visit and pray
Septic tank secrets
What will it achieve
By digging them up
Some say
It will say others
Bring peace and closure
Not to linger
In Limbo Land forever
Brendan Mahon is a member of Inklings Writing Group, who meet on Tuesdays at 10.50am in the Annebrook House Hotel.