Sitting (Dun Laoghaire)

 Sitting on a sunny seat


Sitting on a sunny seat

Second Sunday in the month of March

The midday walkers bask in heat

Along the East Pier along the sea. 


Basking in the sunshine

Reflected off the Harbour water

Blowing off the ancient cobwebs

Of a winter filled with rain -


When the low sun never cleared

The slated roofs across our street

When the grey mist lodged 

Like a guest afraid to leave. 


Dogs on leashes, dogs without

Owners chatting, old men panting, 

Scrunching gravel, striding out

Shoulders back, forward march. 


Blessed in Ireland on this day

When Spring has blossomed 

In our sheltered corner

Of a world beset with trouble. 


We’ll drop the worries of the hour

Set down the burden, carry on

Embrace the sea air and the ether

Grateful for the blessed ordinary. 

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