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