gerard rochford Poems

Night Shift

You’re sleeping with your back to me tonight.
I reach around. Still sleeping you say: Later.
...

I know the scene – an aunt,
the mix of perfume and talc,
demanding a kiss
on her rouged target of cheek.
...

When you’re alone with that sweet wood,
the strings silent, bow taut, the heart hesitant;
go into the Forest of Birse and listen.
Moonlight is best; you know the music of days.
...

I knew but never heard you say the word,
although you may have whispered it in the night.

So was it the day you looked up from your digging
...

We leave our mark
by what we do:
the heart's tattoo,
a fading keyboard's E,
...

CHRISTMAS. JOSEPH AND MARY.

i. Joseph.
...

I like to wear a band around my wrist,
an amulet of copper, links of bling,
a hippy weave of cotton or dried grass.
...