poem based on newry visit 6/9/04

short notice then - from friday morning frantic calls
of i'll be there to Monday where i set up stall
a table - clean wiped - round - edgeless
and by the library door
i offer them five minutes - see if they will talk

to me - the space is formidable
gasps wide with shelves and internet malls
by my side - i have built a pile of books
enough for eyes to climb

the irish reciter - modern irish poetry - the rattle bag
each one smooth skinned - my thoughts note the colours in
- their reference points - and now one visitor rolls in
(inches by)

the ease of newry came to him 2000
before that turning of the age – his dream
would not allow the visit here
he came to me with smiles and a poem
and belfast? he called it beautiful
made his pilgrimage in 96

but he loves newry – the old buildings here
dublin? he says its crammed to hurting – bumper to bumper
bigger and busier

and when the ceasefire made its mark
the border took a deep breath out