Nearby confusion harangued a soul,

Perhaps for 30 years, oscillating

And then, like a pleasant infection

Permeated from the walls to another place.

xxx

The repair complete,

I found myself comprised of thoughts of others

And even love within,

So confused I could not tell where I started

xxx

Or ended.

xxx

The house in the woods had become the woods

And the woods disguised the house

So were complete …

As the artist intended

xxx

Now the air and the water

Which nourishes life

For me and the plants

Have connected all in a silent, harmonic sound

A windchime of love, broadcasting its mystery.xxx

xxx

Today the good air quality

Let’s us see each other

Feel each other

And though speech is unnecessary

xxxxxx

We glimpse the oneness in small locutions

The housewife scurries around

Somewhat proud but defensive of her unbelonging

Chores are executed with a silence

Broken only by the songs of Perry Como … lingering in each room.

xxx

The Irish housecoat placed this play

In deference to a mother

Still struggling in a Limerick

Trying to throw out the ashes of poverty

xxx

Poor is not a word spoken lightly

In the cottage

For it brings memories

Of both hunger and shame

xxx

Shame being the saddest of all

xxx

Concealed like rising damp

The coldness and breathlessness of shame

Remains clinging to the singing

Ever ready to explode when exposed by gossip or chit-chat,

provided by the willing neighbors.

xxx

So the cover-up continues

Until a new life

In the Irish cocoon at the cottage

Completes my womb-like isolation

xxx

Until we are …

Separated from both worlds

And the words of Perry Como

Dominate and dress the landscape

xxx

Of us all, in hiding from both worlds