Live Encounters Poetry & Writing May 2024.
In New Yorks Times Newspaper, story by Margaret Kiernan.
It all started with a report in the Times newspaper, about future water rising and coastal living. Connie watched askance at the paper on its stand, she didn’t want to read or even believe, what the print was suggesting.
Connie was dubious about most news, she preferred to let things pan out for itself. The end of things rarely interested her. She was a live in -the -moment lady. It served her well enough; she cruised her beat each day.
Her eyes were keen, and she could spot amazing detail without effort. Now, she read on, one third of the land to be below sea-level in ten years. The year twenty fifty to feature the city living in pods, or floating pontoons. She ought to choose another city now she sighs, to no-one in particular.
She will mention this to the McGuigan neighbours. They might choose to move too. Not that she wanted their kids around, but she figured that would be part of the deal. At least they no longer had the mangy dog that barked all night, she had seen to that by a call to the city. Animal welfare came and removed the dog.
Connie decided she would make a trip, a recce, scouting for a good place to move to.
Later at home, she drew diagrams and numbers. The McGuigan’s were only one family, she’d need more for safety. There would be gangs to consider and displaced people and crimes, all of this foremost in her mind now, she was a police officer.
She considers what she and others will be doing in their future daily lives, living in the new place, she wrote about that in the margins too. To start, rafts would be tethered together for safe living. Night watches while people slept, and day watches too. The children would need protecting.
See through living in pods with neighbours, will be invasive she figured. She would need some cover. Connie remembered that she had studied colour in art workshops. She would swot about opaque colours. It could be blue. Deep in her heart she knew it would be necessary. It would remind her of when skies had been blue.
By nightfall, Connie has compiled extensive lists, plans, and diagrams. Carefully placing them into a folder, she feels more in control, she relaxes her shoulders.
Stretching and yawning, she decides to pull on a jacket and head out for a stroll through Brooklyn. A sense of nostalgia is overtaking her.
She walks through the night, blue-black sky above. Lights blink in empty office spaces. She avoids walking on the metal vents, looking down into those submerged spaces now leaves her feeling anxious.
The air is chilly, a brisk breeze is blowing up from the river, she pulls her collar up. Her hand feels a tear land. Connie swishes it away, furious with herself. She grabs the doorway of a bakery and heads inside, to wait for freshly cooked donuts.
© Margaret Kiernan
Margaret Kiernan is a prolific writer known for her captivating poetry and compelling short stories. With a remarkable literary career, she boasts publications in esteemed journals and magazines such as The Blue Nib, The Ekphrastic Review, and The Galway Review, among others. Margaret’s talent has garnered her nominations for The Best of The Net Award on three occasions and earned her the title of Runner-up in The Hannah Greely International Competition. Her work is not only celebrated in the literary world but also recognized in The Index of Contemporary Women Poets in Ireland, 2020. Beyond her literary pursuits, Margaret brings a wealth of experience from her background in professional advocacy. In her leisure time, she finds solace in the company of her faithful companion, Molly the dog, and channels her creative energy into painting landscapes and still-life scenes. Margaret G. Kiernan’s dedication to her craft and her diverse range of talents make her a prominent figure in the contemporary literary scene.
Well done Margaret! Knew you had it in you. Hope you keeping well & happy. From your old rehabilitation friend bridget quigley o brien.
Hi, Bridget, so happy to hear from you. Thanks for your compliment too.
My oh my, those busy days at the Rehab Group, Policy and Advocacy Division.
Margaret. Xx
A beautiful escape for a few minutes whilst I read into a world of now, then and beyond.
Lovely story Margaret. Well done!