(Dublin 2005)
Beggar on the bridge huddled
in a blanket, grey
blanket, stone faces reflected
in the river, black
river, blood in my neon
eyes, red
as the taillights,
neon as the red lights,
neon as the dawn breaking
on another never-enough
river, on black swans
White swan reflected.
This is where I
am, in the grey city, this
is where I am, with the beggar
on the bridge, this
is where I
am, huddled
in her blanket,
needing
Stone faces low
over the low water
Cars, crowds,
faces, feet,
her
I give her an alien coin and
go