observing the bus stop
scattered smiles can’t hide
the barely conscious frowns
that bring my doubts to mind

for dungeons, seen, unseen
the unseen often in the seen
I’ve moulded keys redundant
once each lock was sprung

gotta do something – want nothing to do
I wish I weren’t here – but elsewhere won’t do
want someone to call – hate hearing the phone
why don’t you visit? – please leave me alone

pushing into my September Street
the lauded halls of UCD
I’ve crossed too many rivers
to repeat those shady schooldays

it’s rule by bomb and bullet
the night air all a jangle
and who can hear the tolling
in all the jingle jangle?

sacred is this homely ground
for here my seed was planted
but a current’s coming now
to strip my ripened branches –

my bones live in your shadow
your tortures etch my face
my people know no meadows
and feel your bloody race

you say you wear a mask
since sorrow stole the Light
and blind in your emotion
you tumbled into Night

the leaving, well I got top rank
by heeling, got the dealer paid
I made my hand no seven two
by sacrificing hearts for spades