at st. lazarian's holy well
old leighlin

by nessa o'mahony

Here, hope is the torso of a Barbie doll,
plastic, impervious, yellow tresses
soaking up another soft day on hard stone.
It is a Ventolin inhaler, cap long lost,
abandoned with scores of others.
It is ribbons, countless and multi-hued,
old purses, photos, hair grasps, booties,
medals, lipstick holders, scarves, hospital cards.
And batteries - we speculate about pace-makers, hearing aids.
It is your lover, pushing your collar back,
the sharp rip of cloth, then the tag,
wool marked and temperature guide, is laid on granite.

[]

17 March 2002