Live Encounters Poetry & Writing Volume Two November-December 2024
A manner of speaking, poems by Finbar Lennon.
A manner of speaking
Long days of rain for tap-on-chat
frozen time in mild-most clime
how to figure future tropes
young to old a stepping stone
first breaking then awakening
next settling before final calling
two curves that never cross
best now if old comes first
what wise advice will calm
the waves that pound the shore?
Cling to hierarchy and compliance
directive advice will save your life
as will childhood lessons learned
self-doubt nagging – friends gone
a small pebble can hide forever
unturned it sits much longer
master’s locker lined with guilt
no escape from scrapes of life
carry more to grave than care admit
each of us no more than just about.
Double Take on Westland Row
Seventeen singles is the count of sinners in the nave
enter quietly stand behind to add one more to brave
we hardly raise a stir the place and space so vast
am wrapt to pray must stay ‘til end of mass
faithful few did not faze him happens every day
though not young, priest spoke and moved like one
homily for us a short enlightening presentation
for once perfect microphone ensured a conversation
nods in nave – mass moved on but not a hurry
his call to share sign of peace to wake the life in us
vacant smiles, gestures strained and laboured
single wave was once enough to ‘love thy neighbour’
chance to make amends on way to altar rails
shared communion flakes apiece to leave a trail
costume of society was once the church and mass
give due he conjured up a remnant from the past
could not resist in final blessing the day that’s 31
“Halloween – enjoy the fireworks before November 1”.
Empty hearse at gates a cue this time more on view
mass to bid goodbye to teacher with an earnest eye
renaissance man met with open arms that day
scores aplenty in the nave the faithful out to pray
more who knew man at rest along to wish him best
church full of life an organ/chorister in full throat
priest two weeks older on his mettle full of quotes
spoke first of life of Brian consoled those left behind
songs of praise, call to angels to watch and mind
lulls to sigh and gaze at timeless beauty of the place
stucco ceiling – paintings high and safe from thieves
not even passing Dorian Gray could prize them free
homily on times of loss and gain, self-giving too
life’s labour just a still – what a work of art can do
asks what Monet’s “water lily” paintings mean
what garden pond below the bridge concealed
congregation rapt in silent moments nigh
long communion sums respect for one who died.
Don’t rush to judgement on first visit –looks deceive
doctor’s eagle eye can oft miss wood from trees
head shots from behind tell age but don’t tell all
empty space and pews a mark of missing footfall
second visit patient seems improved numbers rise
death and music reason why – edifice is past its time
blighted souls no longer sure faith is future-proof
despite how well we do last rites- where lies truth!
His Life
(After ‘My Life’ by Rainer Maria Rilke)
The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke
Well what can one say
about his life in absence?
a hiccup on a train
that caught your eye
not the sound, the heave
of chest on top of dome
that held his heart
in thin-cupped space
a life of to and fro
endless in the present
but when you look beyond
at dreamers in the queue
the wonders in the waves
that keeps the core alive
to fill with tender love
and songs of earthly praise
“It’s beautiful.”
© Finbar Lennon
Finbar Lennon is a retired surgeon. He lives in Collon, County Louth in Ireland. He is the author of three collections of poetry published by Lapwing Publications, Belfast (2021/2022). He is a member of the Bealtaine Writing Group and has had poems published online in Live Encounters, Planet Earth Poetry and Viewless Wings. Two of his poems have recently been published in a new Anthology “When The Lapwing Takes Flight” edited by Amos Greig. Some of his early poems including ‘teenage poems’ appear in his late wife’s memoir “The Heavens are all Blue” that he co-authored and was published by Hachette Ireland in 2020.