gerard rochford Poems

Night Shift

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

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.
...

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
...