A couple of whitters

Okay, so folks know it’s going to take me a while, right? My husband has taken our kids and friend to see a movie and get something to eat so I will be taking a bath soon (after I put away the … go on, guess … yesssss, the LAUNDRY!!!) and having some quiet time. I just wanted to leave a couple of my dashed off thingies from my trip here before I do so. I’ll be back later trying to get caught up; bear with me please.

Newgrange

The grandeur
the size and the sweep of it
that solstice shaft of light
reaching that small chamber
with its three bowls
bowls for bones
kissed by the sun in passing
once a year
primeval spirituality
birth and death
rebirth
I need what I have found
even if I can only have a little of it

~~~~~~~~~~

Dublin/Kilmainham Gaol

No escaping the beauty here
surrounded by pristine restored finery
buildings of all ages
fan windows
door colors for addresses

How can you execute
someone already dying
why would you execute
visionaries and patriots

I feel the pain etched in the walls
and the cell doors dark
cracking in despair at the memories
the ghosts of those buried beneath us
as we stood hearing the tale of
the youngest prisoner
eight years old
for stealing a coat against the cold

A chapel restored
where a man condemned
was married in handcuffs
no more than ten supervised minutes
as husband and wife
and then he was murdered
she widowed for eternity

Tears have no hope but to fall

~~~~~~~~~~

The stranger intruding
unintentionally becomes yours
knowing that you shouldn’t have to bear
another alien present here
but oh
you beautiful rich soft jewel of a land
for all the time left me I know
that though the rude presence
of my loud otherness may leave
the silent echoing hunger of my soul
the deep need of my heart
cannot help but remain
woven into your hills and willows
sleeping in the rolling gentle power
of your kindly mighty mountains