Shanloth from the Meath Anthology

Shanloth

You could set your watch

By the fields around Shanloth

Especially on warm summer evenings

When the creosote dribbles down the gate posts

And the rocks in the river bed

Are painted dry by July

Half past eight and the hawk hangs no hands

Above the acropolis of Neville’s old house

He’s spoiled for choice and opts for

A colossus of copper beach ten minutes later

It will be nearing nine when the big shorthorns

Begin to make elbow their way

Through the sheep on Canty’s Hill

By ten all will have disappeared under

An avalanche of night

And only the moon will strike the hour

Over the pyramids of Egypt

Tommy Murray

From Counting Stained glass Windows Lapwing 2009