Nothing is Constant - Poem (From "Two of Cups")

Nothing is constant -
today's strength
is tomorrow's weakness
and the point,
forever shifting.

I have seen storms
that could drown
even you

yet, in my weakest moment
I draw strength
as a sail would
and fly,

if it were not you I'd be gone,
but I cannot just leave,
I will linger as clouds do
before they are swept
or blown away.

By Mary E. Lohan

Valentia Island, Ireland - A Poem

By Mary E. Lohan

We didn't plan
as usual...

We threw a bag
in the boot
and flew
a refurbished
gearbox in your
Corolla, straight
from Shannon
airport

I slept
on the journey
south, stops
in Killarney
galleries, pubs,
the ever changing
jewel of a sky
kept us
mesmerized
spry

yet, it was
Valentia island
I will forever
adore...

Our drive down
a picturesque
corkscrew road
your gearbox
grinding, the
car on a road
so pitched like
a roller coaster
car with no
guardrails,
we laughed
and squealed
downwards
toward the rocky
ocean swept
lighthouse
praising your
mechanic's
expertise --
Wow, were
we lucky!

It was a dream
that was real...

The drive upwards
the lush gardens
the radio tower
the astounding
mountains,
the odd candle
maker who
didn't speak

And the path
that lead
to the dinosaur
tracks?
Remember?

I was wearing high
heeled boots...

You invited me
to see,
to walk the steep
bumpy path
downwards,
your hand
outstretched
you lead, steadying
me as I pivoted
and rocked
and giggled..
you always
patient, always a
gentleman,

and while the
tracks were
unimpressive,
a laugh, it was
your
hand I will
remember
most of all...

steady,
reassuring,
ever present...
like your voice
guiding
me back up
the long
rocky path.

Note: About Valentia Island

Snooker at Sally Longs Pub (Galway) - (From "Two of Cups")

"Everyone has to learn to drink
somewhere."

It's yellow versus red
only you pause now and again
to teach, leaning in
so I can hear...

your palm flat on the table
you pinch your thumb
close to your finger

and the ball flies
direct to its mark,

if I can only aim better
stop hitting my head
on the hanging lamps

I pocket a few proudly,
and sweetly you
give me more chances

four Guinness and
I'm still standing

I watch you play another,
but don't want to stare,
so I occasionally look away

you smile after
a close game, and say,

"Had I known you
were paying attention,
I would have played
better."

Note: About Sally Longs

Clonmacnoise: A Tribute to Ireland (From "Two of Cups")

If you stand still

you can hear
eternity
in the prayer
of the devoted wind

I palm

the tower wall
gaze upon
the River Shannon,
and follow
your lead
through these
monastic ruins
that now pay
homage to the sky

ruins are a long salute

goodbye.
 

Radisson Blu Galway - A Poem

Here is where
we began,

Strolls to and from
Shop Street
in the summer
and spring air

meandering
pub hopping

the cycle car
ride back in frigid
wind, our genitals
nearly falling
off when the
driver forgot
to cover us with
a blanket...

the posh dinner,
soup and brown
bread for lunch,
our expansive
breakfast buffet
which you got up
early to have
with me
though you would
have preferred
to sleep in...

this is where
sitting next to the
open fire
having one of our
extensive chats,
me gazing into
your handsome
Irish face, I
thought --

Yes, this is what
I would like
for the rest of
my life.

Written Jan 2014

Note: About Radisson Blu Galway

Two of Cups, Now Available at Charlie Byrnes Book Shop Galway!

Very pleased to announce that my poetry book, Two of Cups: A New York Poet in Galway is now available in Galway...  means a lot to me.

Poetry reading there to be announced in the near future.