' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' Back In The High Life Again(In Memory Of My Mother Ita) Poem by Dónall Dempsey

I carry you
before me

carefully cradled
in interlaced fingers

like a
pregnant mum would.

My shadow
mimics the illusion.

My silhouette
making me look

like I’m 7
months gone.

Pregnant with you
I carry you our Mum

transformed into
this box.

Your life now
nothing but these ashes

a number
(2731) .

Our memories
trying to keep you

alive.

I place you
on my lap

buckle up
(car pulling away from crematorium)


as your car-driving-song
comes on

Steve Windwood’s
voice emerges from the speakers

like an arc
of a diver

and you’re BACK
IN THE HIGH LIFE

AGAIN

cradled between our
tears & laughter.