Carnán Mhaighréid Náir

cairn of noble margaret black mountain or
Clermont Carn on the old half-inch map
they call it but nevertheless
they say that on the right day
you can see derry and even the brit mainland

these things i simply do not believe
however i have seen the metal carcasses of burned-out cars
even a torched kitchen suite including sink
but they fade into insignificance because
as the wind thrummed in the hawsers supporting

the brutal tv mast i held the hand of a woman
who took me by surprise one day at belfast airport
and seemed to sense small worth in this man's essence
mayhap because of drastic pseudomyopia but if so
then glory be to god for whitened sticks

URL: www.mourne.net/carnan.htm