Driving to Donegal
River Bann in flood cattle on the bank
cloud and blue patches in an Ulster sky
red barn roofs curved and corrugated
Enniskillen Omagh Derry
on the green road sign. Driving west.
Telegraph wires strung out on drumlins
measuring the miles and the messages
ancient gaelic town lands anglish form
politics noted in the colour of a flag
politics black green blue red
and white with a bloody hand
woven together like fine Sunday linen.
Fecundity found in every hedge and tree
mother Ireland at her most fertile her
green hills swelling as ample breasts
each rowan ash willow and oak
hazelnuts beechnuts and acorns with
meadowsweet knapweed fireweed and
net fences twined about with red rosebuds
over under around the edges of gardens.
Geraldine Snape
