Transported
Her accent was murmured rain,
softening the summerbound city.
“A single to the Gresham Ballroom”
lilting him from parched Holloway Road
to a green, Leitrim lane.
So long a stranger to those quiet roads,
returned once only,for the mother`s funeral,
buried the woman and his past together.
Settled on a soft price for a fast sale
to a land-starved farmer from the next parish.
Even then,back amongst his own,
that easy air of belonging displaced.
Stood old class and team mates a final drink,
shared one last chorus then faded to the Dublin train,
the Dun Laoghaire-Euston night ride yawning.
He cranked the ticket-machine,gave change.
Held her smile,moved along,moved away.
