One Driver Escaped Uninjured

a straggle of a line
arms folded back
reverential contortions
hunched crow-black
from the sweep of the rain
a grasp
"Sorry for your trouble"
poor comfort that
the clink of glasses
striking a tinder heart

the crazed cuckoo croak
of the clock
ticking off
the first hour
of life without her
those others whose blood was spilt
the rain battered box
gift wrapped
wreaths and flowers blooming
on a life of guilt

Lambs in the Road

April 1999

They sprayed out from the crush
at the gap. Started by the rumble
Trucks double-back wheels. Laden
Lumbering in to the high-side
of the bend. Stopped
but for the press
the front-runners stood
anxious at sudden freedom
- a perilous path

The lorry came on.
Ewe's stricken, mounted each other
goaded on - No place to go
No choice to stay
Leading votive lambs, offers
to some roadside deity

^

Biography

Brendan O'Neill was reared by County Kerry parents in Birmingham. He now lives in the West of Ireland working as a Freelance Technical Writer. His poetry has featured in numerous e-zines and published in anthologies. Recent publications include Poetry Ireland Review and the Trinity College magazine "College Green" See www.iol.ie/~avocado for more details. He is working on a first novel with the encouragement of a leading London agent. .