Kingfisher Epiphany
Down by the Dodder strolling, near the “Dropping Well”,
My mind allows old memories to float.
I breathe the sounds and foodie smells of Dublin,
And nostalgia swells a great lump in my throat.
Some adult kids play football on the wet mown grass.
The drone of cars competes with small birds’ chatter.
An old man sleeps on the commemorative bench
A young mum rattles past with a clatter.
One small dog splashes in the murky shallows,
Retrieving sticks his paunchy master threw.
Across the water fresh buds are breaking,
Glistening in the morning’s radiant dew.
Then all at once it happens-
This glimpse of luminescent blue
A flickering kind of movement
From one, no, actually two…..
Exquisite revelation, I
Hold my breath to make time freeze
This shimmering glimpse of heaven
Oh yes……… yes yes………… yes please!
Quivering blues and sunset orange
They flit and flutter in darting game,
A moment’s perch upon a twiglet,
Before the chase begins again …...
Arresting beauty, surging pleasure
Fills me up to overflow,
Like the waters on the weir
Gurgling cheerfully as they go……
Spilling tales of country youth,
Splattering laughter on life askew,
In this tiny, sheltered Eden,
I soon find I’m laughing too!
The crowding past awaits to claim me
And future beckons as” Luas” scoots by,
And yet for once, I don’t care how
I’m living with joy in the here and now!
(Spring 2006)
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Note:
Luas is the light railway which runs through Dublin
I went to Dublin with my son for an international rugby match. My daughter and he went to watch, while I’d arranged to meet a friend outside The Dropping Well. Through the windows waves of cheering rolled with each score. I couldn’t help but feel envious of those who can live so thoroughly in the present…….and then I saw the kingfishers! It was indeed a wonderful gift!