Máire Mhac an tSaoi Biography

With candles of angels the sky is now dappled,
The frost on the wind from the hills has a bite,
Kindle the fire and go to your slumber,
Jesus will lie in this household tonight.
...

Here, father, is this where it started?
Here we became strangers to each other?
Was it here?
...

Blackberry sweet your little clustered head,
My little stranger son, my share of life,
Welcome here, and settle in my heart.
...

for Susie Iremonger
What an assembly of the old!
Of tangled grey hair!
Of stooped backs and rheumatism!
...

I arrange my memory in readiness for the grave,
Put spices in her shroud and silver coins;
The snow is still on the cemetery ridge;
I lie down beside the body on my bed.
...