Улисс

           Oncebythechurchyardhehadpassedandforhismother’sresthehadnotprayed.Aboy.Acroppyboy.

           Bronze,listening,bythebeerpullgazedfaraway.Soulfully.Doesn’thalfknowI’m.Mollygreatdabatseeinganyonelooking.

           Bronzegazedfarsideways.Mirrorthere.Isthatbestsideofherface?Theyalwaysknow.Knockatthedoor.Lasttiptotitivate.

           Cockcarracarra.

           Whatdotheythinkwhentheyhearmusic?Waytocatchrattlesnakes.NightMichaelGunngaveusthebox.Tuningup.ShahofPersialikedthatbest.Remindhimofhomesweethome.Wipedhisnoseincurtaintoo.Customhiscountryperhaps.That’smusictoo.Notasbadasitsounds.Tootling.Brassesbrayingassesthroughuptrunks.Doublebasseshelpless,gashesintheirsides.Woodwindsmooingcows.Semigrandopencrocodilemusichathjaws.WoodwindlikeGoodwin’sname.

           Shelookedfine.Hercrocusdresssheworelowcut,belongingsonshow.Cloveherbreathwasalwaysintheatrewhenshebenttoaskaquestion.ToldherwhatSpinozasaysinthatbookofpoorpapa’s.Hypnotised,listening.Eyeslikethat.Shebent.Chapindresscirclestaringdownintoherwithhisoperaglassforallhewasworth.Beautyofmusicyoumustheartwice.Naturewomanhalfalook.Godmadethecountrymanthetune.Methimpikehoses.Philosophy.Orocks!

           Allgone.Allfallen.AtthesiegeofRosshisfather,atGoreyallhisbrothersfell.ToWexford,wearetheboysofWexford,hewould.Lastofhisnameandrace.

           Itoo.Lastofmyrace.Millyyoungstudent.Well,myfaultperhaps.Noson.Rudy.Toolatenow.Orifnot?Ifnot?Ifstill?

           Heborenohate.

           Hate.Love.