Pavement

I

Maple leaves on  O’Connell Bridge

Floating down the Liffey 

Red hand of Ulster 

Three crowns of Munster 

Feathers flickering

one Seagull under lights

It’s not late enough to fall in the river.  

II

Tired grey beard 

losing the colour of life

Flat cap, caipín 

Breasts striding by

Brown Thomas bag 

with a black umbrella 

coming from Grafton street. 

Luas bell warning 

Time to get a move on before it’s too late. 

Long hair flapping 

on Dawson Street, 

out west violent wind.

Trail finders walking by

“Injury Time” on display

“Wolf Man and Water-Hounds”

“Have you seen the Dublin vampire?”

a window for browsing readers. 

Another bell, another Luas, 

that soft strong wind. 

III

Carluccio’s is not the best place to be cremated.

Plastic flower 

in an extra dry Prosecco bottle,

white King Protea facing the door. 

Crema, a thimble of hot water

diluting its bitter companion.

witness the knife and fork 

slice an almond croissant

scattering icing sugar. 

Cool in the mouth.

“Thank you very much”

to a Palestinian smile, 

a time for thinking, 

alone in company 

with an afternoon snack .

Cutlery crashing,  

any second now,

settle the bill.

— There may be time to die .