Poem Of The Week 'Ring Fort' by Gerard Sheehy

Ring Fort

The faintest whisper
from a shy sign
betrayed its location.
So we stopped ,
and down a path
bordered on both sides
by a wire fence
we made our way
until
away from the sound of cars
and draped deciduously
in the shadows of some arthritic trees

there it was

keeping company with
the passing Shannon.
Its green banks still
standing proud
facing the world and what it offers
but respectfully declining.
Gone are the Norman and the Gael
and in their place
pass badger , fox and crow
unburdened by thoughts of possession.

And we stayed
no longer than we should
so when it was time
we retreated back the way we came ,
back to the sound of cars
but lit by the smile
of an October morning

Gerard Sheehy

Gerard Sheehy was born and lives in Limerick. He rediscovered poetry a couple of years ago, and his influences are drawn from the everyday experiences that greet him and his four children. His work has recently being published in Microphone On (White House Press, 2005).
Contact: (email: ger1966@eircom.net)