ATHBHLIAIN FAOI MHAISE

she hadn't spoken
to another human soul
for she didn't know

how long now
her words covered
with dust

like the china shepherdess
tending her flock
on the mantlepiece

her thoughts
were rusted
into place

her mind
unable to
move

oh she talked
to the cat but
it wasn't interested

in a word
she had to say
only wanting to be fed

she sat so still
in her distressed
green velvet gown

as if she had time
travelled from
another century

and that time
had abandoned
her here

she imagined that
one day Death
would come calling

and like a real
gentleman he would
take her away from

all this
as the New Year
entered the room

and the dark
exploding
with fireworks