Live Encounters Poetry & Writing September 2024
Her Trove, poems by Finbar Lennon.
Her Trove
List of names dates and assignations
safe in compact coloured handbag
sitting on her lap for comfort
resting by her feet for notice
waiting to be clicked and opened
scent of poetry wafts through air
sounds of dizzy lines to share
lace and gloves a statement too
trappings of diplomacy and poise
man behind dares stretch his legs
his foot mistook for hand on bag
an innocent mistake in springtime.
Some words for Tom
The men I pass make no remarks
only one had caught me napping
in mind as night sky seeks out land
my evening goals already planned
now set aside for one who spoke
of flint and stone and alabaster
hoped for like reply – nay my answer
filled with doubt and make believe
not fazed by limit of my reach
he gave me grace to find out more
for next we trod on well worn path
that occasion sadly passed us by
last we spoke of illness taking hold
and how our lives are not our own
how words of jargon take control
bend our will down country roads
for trek of miles past empty signs
no destination or arrival times
reassured him no one in control
find listener with a word to say
heed doctor who is sound and clear
submit yet keep your counsel near
promised I would stay in touch
but knew from memory lapse
I failed to honour that
arrived too late to wish him well
had gone unbeknownst to friend
helpless moments of dismay and loss
my compass had deserted me
no answers on the bricks and mortar
pipes were set obliquely in a row
between the railings and the lawn
still not sure what role they played
he wondered each last time we met
not happy had not solved the plot
but stayed upright solid to the end
no wilt in will to fit the bill and
live each day God granted him.
An old acquaintance
The managers are men
sit at tables, on bar stools
dark suits with open necks
long gazes over laptops
women at work on shop floor
breakfast customers gone
I waited – she was not there
no need to ask – I knew –
just as I knew when she was,
unseen yet her presence felt
has been a while since we met
no one stays long in the place
am sure she has forgotten me
I was a regular for years
always asked about family
mother, siblings back in India
dependent on her for support
funny how small talk is enough
to bond with a stranger
her name was Monina.
© 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 on Viewless Wings. 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.
Your trilogy of relationships chaotic and realistic.
Emotions are a wonderful feeling I love the ones that tug at the heart
Great poems , better as the years go by
Chris,
Thank you for your kind comments. Poems about relationships are tricky and only work for me if they are real and true. I am glad they passed your eagle eye. Live Encounters is a great universal platform for poets and writers from all corners of the world including quite a number from Australia.
I love these poems.Finbar draws us in effortlessly. This capacity for engagement and immediate intimate conversation is unparalleled.He is with us in both the fluid language and the total experience of the poems. Although the subject matter is often heartbreaking ,the irony is that the consolation is always in the I-You common ground of our humanity which he understands so well,if not consciously, then unconsciously. His world is our world and our world is his.
To use a time worn expression,we are enriched through reading these poems.
Dear Patricia,
Thank you for a great review. I will take it with open arms, seal it in an empty bottle and throw it into the ocean!! You are a very accomplished wordsmith and it is easy to see that poetry is a significant string in a bow that features many different artistic accomplishments including sketching, painting and music. Yes, I believe in the I-You common ground and am trying to develop a voice in that space. I am very grateful for your words of affirmation.