Four Poems from the Aran Islands

Currahgs, *
small black beetles,
hang
upside down
on the ocean,
as it slides
gently
off the world,
into the setting sun.

2
The Curragh
sliding
off the sea,
rises easy
then lies
still &
black
caught
in the grey
silence of sand.

3
Curraghs
burrow
into the sand
to sleep,
arse up
hunched
against
the long
black winds
of night.

4
And they dream
the dark
dream
of whales
before
uncurling
onto
the newly
swept
sands
of day.

*Curragh - small coracle used off the west coast of Ireland - manned by two or three men.