Feb 2018
CROSSING THE RIVER
I, a mere scrap
of a young fella
watching father and mother
argue the toss
about something or other
making me wonder whether
the really love
one another.
He always "Boss" to her.
She to him forever "Mother."
And him always giving in
with an "Alright...yer always right!"
Still see myself
messing about on the river
with the Hammer Hannon
Wiki Warner and the Rue Murray
great pals all
when
the Ma and Da
appear out of nowhere.
I seeing them
them not seeing me.
He, shotgun under an oxter
his arm about her waist.
Four rabbits nonchalantly
thrown over a shoulder.
No longer mother and father
but Jim and Kathleen.
They just themselves
their love and laughter.
Sticks two Woodbines
between his lips
the scratch of a match
as he lights up
places one between her lips
both puffing happily.
Sunlight madly in love
with water.
The Liffey here
lies gently at their feet
tamed with time.
Trousers rolled up to his knees
a breeze flirts with her dress.
Quick as a flash
she jumps on his back
her legs sticking out
between his elbows
all as easy
as you please.
He ferrying himself and herself
along with a load of rabbits
across the hurrying waters of
the moment.
A heron watches
this strange human behaviour.
Shifts from one leg
to the other.
Saying nothing.
My question answered
in a flash of kingfisher blue.
My mind all
water and light.
Water...and..light.
I, a mere scrap
of a young fella
watching father and mother
argue the toss
about something or other
making me wonder whether
the really love
one another.
He always "Boss" to her.
She to him forever "Mother."
And him always giving in
with an "Alright...yer always right!"
Still see myself
messing about on the river
with the Hammer Hannon
Wiki Warner and the Rue Murray
great pals all
when
the Ma and Da
appear out of nowhere.
I seeing them
them not seeing me.
He, shotgun under an oxter
his arm about her waist.
Four rabbits nonchalantly
thrown over a shoulder.
No longer mother and father
but Jim and Kathleen.
They just themselves
their love and laughter.
Sticks two Woodbines
between his lips
the scratch of a match
as he lights up
places one between her lips
both puffing happily.
Sunlight madly in love
with water.
The Liffey here
lies gently at their feet
tamed with time.
Trousers rolled up to his knees
a breeze flirts with her dress.
Quick as a flash
she jumps on his back
her legs sticking out
between his elbows
all as easy
as you please.
He ferrying himself and herself
along with a load of rabbits
across the hurrying waters of
the moment.
A heron watches
this strange human behaviour.
Shifts from one leg
to the other.
Saying nothing.
My question answered
in a flash of kingfisher blue.
My mind all
water and light.
Water...and..light.
John Smith of Newbridge told me this story of the moment he realised just what love is and that hss parents were not only Ma and Da but people in their own right. It is an epiphany that opens up the world for him. I always believe that a child grows up when he or she realises that parents are people too and can feel sad and happy....just like you.
John is a wonderful teller of tales and a wonderful character. I could listen to this man talk for hours and I frequently do in my favourite Newbridge eatery CHAT AND CHEW...and indeed that is exactly what we do. Gorgeous food and gorgeous people who are prepared to put up with poets talking their heads off.
I fell in love with this little moment of being and of "Mother" and "Boss" becoming Jim and Kathleen...people in their own right.
Crossing the River is of course just what it is but also the symbol of growing up and into one's self.
John is a wonderful teller of tales and a wonderful character. I could listen to this man talk for hours and I frequently do in my favourite Newbridge eatery CHAT AND CHEW...and indeed that is exactly what we do. Gorgeous food and gorgeous people who are prepared to put up with poets talking their heads off.
I fell in love with this little moment of being and of "Mother" and "Boss" becoming Jim and Kathleen...people in their own right.
Crossing the River is of course just what it is but also the symbol of growing up and into one's self.
(Guildford)
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