Squadrons of geese fall-fly south, moving in
and out of rank,
honking simply to stay together and to swap
leader.
The teachers urge the children to look at fighter
jets, the Thunderbirds,
a name taken from the great Indian bird, but
nothing is said of that provenance.
The new god rips open the tepee vault of the sky
above our schools and homes.
No one points out the caret of geese inserting
themselves peacefully on the day,
or mentions what exactly the Thunderbirds
mean to insert.
The geese unravel their chevron ranks, their echelon
formation and, as if in civil disobedience,... Read more

You took such care of your hair.
Now it comes out in clumps. "Maybe
my new grandson could spare
a share,"
you joked, Barber Death breathing down your neck.
Always joking we are, keeping something or other in check,
the Joker Family.

Remember how we'd beg you to open the window
of our gray, white-topped Ford Anglia? But no,
a mere hairline window crack of inrushing air
would toss your hair.
How we sweltered on those eternal drives to Everywhere:
Fountainstown, Ringabella, Redbarn, Castlegregory,
Glenbeigh.

"Now look at the scenery while the weather's fine," you'd say.... Read more