Shared Words

Words shared on the finite path...
Enjoy the Spring fruit
Winter is soon upon us

Mike O’Leary - 6/10/2016

Without Consolation

Ghazal 1

Without Consolation

Joy once evoked by memory
Now revoked by memory

Once bound together in bliss
Now only yoked in memory

My spirit rows an empty boat
Soaked by stormy memory

My heart breaks a slow beat
Stroked on the snares of memory

Michael, without love’s grace
Cloaked only in memory

Mike O’Leary - April 2016

My Old House

My Old House

Memories occupy stone walled spaces

Stalking the very fabric of its rooms

Ghosts of the centuries display their gloom

Lives unfulfilled leaving vapour traces

Heart of oak beams take the strain with good grace

Remnants of galleons surviving booms

Rescued from battle weary watery tombs

Ancient mortise and tenon out of place

Memories of my life in this dwelling

Mingle unashamed without fear or fright

Feelings ancient and modern awoken

All tell a story worthy of telling

All interweave the darkness and the light

All stories are told no words are spoken

Mike O’Leary - April 2016

Longing for Spring

Sonnet 1

Longing for Spring

Wondering will spring ever life bring forth
The garden being decidedly grey
Winter's presence seems reluctant to stray
Finding solace amongst the dead wood’s worth
Not making way for the season of birth
More than content to feed on summer's hay
So for each new day I can only pray
For an end to this season the year's fourth
I long to see the dance of daffodils
With their bright yellow plumage my heart fills
Bright Phoebus their reflection overhead
In his sunlight winter’s shades soon are fled
Spring bring me the things in which I delight
Vernal Equinox light this last dark night

Mike O’Leary - April 2016

Bouquet du Vin

Rondeau

Bouquet du Vin

Bouquet du Vin is all that’s left
The crystal cut glass now bereft
An empty bowl devoid of wine
Drunk in haste by a friend of mine
With smelling he couldn’t be effed

At drinking wine he is most deft
Quaffing or sniffing never cleft
Intoxicating smells from vines
Bouquet du Vin

Alluring aromas they weft
Raising his glass as if to heft
Nostrils awash with citrus fine
To smell is human, drink divine
To waste drinking time would be theft
Bouquet du Vin

Mike O’Leary February 2016

A Rondeau on the theme of wine tasting. 

Your round I think.

My New Brother

My New Brother

I'm going to get a new brother
My Mum says he's coming soon
I didn't ask for a brother
I'm not even sure we've got room

I'm going to get a new brother
I hope he won't take my place
Cos I am still only little
I hope he won't get in my face

My Mum says I'll love my new brother
But I'm not really sure about that
Cos when he comes home to live here
I might have to sleep with the cat

My brother came home yesterday
He's alright but he's wrinkled and small
I suppose I'll get used to him one day
But I've told Mum, no more, that's all

Mike O'Leary - January 2016

Written in a poetry workshop with Chris Tutton