Visit to Skellig Michael

We ride the waves

Giddy with excitement.

Eyes on the horizon,

Seeking craggy rocks.

They rise from the deep,

Weeping in their isolation, 

Giving respite to travellers

And nomads of the sea.



White feathered sanctuary,

Calls carried on the wind.

Out of the blue they appear

As from another realm -

Gannets sleek and strong,

Skimming the waves in full flight,

Noble masters of the sea.


Dolphins bring delight.

Monks once followed in their wake

Guided by an inner light,

Seeking solace in Christ’s name

On rock as black and dark as night.

Place of grace

Guarded by the Archangel.


The climb is steep.

With steps mindful and slow

We reach the top of the outcrop.

Relics of the past,

Rocks shaped by mystic hands.

Sacred site hiding mysteries.

Sunshine floods our day,

Lighting the beauty of this place,

Lifting our hearts.

Grateful for friendship

As from these shores we sail.

The Thread

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among

things that change. But it doesn’t change.

People wonder about what you are pursuing.

You have to explain about the thread.

But it is hard for others to see.

While you hold it you can’t get lost.

Tragedies happen; people get hurt

or die; and you suffer and get old.

Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.

You don’t ever let go of the thread.

- William Stafford.

The Secret

A spark of light

Entered the fusion of my being

And there was I, perfectly clothed

In a mantle designed for matter.

A source from beyond

With a mission

To regain my fullness through perception.

Filled with light and love

With wisdom and potential.

But in my struggle to survive

The elements of earth and time,

My heart and mind and limbs

Concealed the truth within.

Concerned with the inessentials,

Proud of the inconsequential

Leaps and bounds,

Disguised in my achievement.

My paradise became a fool’s.

Laughter turned to tears.

Joy became a sorrow

Until I found

Through the wisdom of the ages

That spark of hope

The sacred secret deep inside.

Memory Of My Father

You were always there no matter what

– standing by me.

Feet planted firmly on the ground.

Strong, ever present, tender and kind.

Full of the joy of being and doing.

Your gift of giving was total,

And your totality touched me

And the hearts and lives of many.

Nothing was too much,

No one was let down

Or ever left short by you

– no half measures.

Secure within your arms

My life unfolded.

You painted my past,

Pictured my future,

And through all the years,

In laughter and love

Joy and pain,

We shared the gift of a lifetime.

Re-Born

In silence he speaks

No words

A fusion of being

I am

He is

That is the reality.

He touches deep

Not a feeling

But a knowledge

Knowing it has happened

A realization

The dawning light.

He waits

I approach

He responds

He in me responds

The moment of re-birth.

In Search

What have I lost? 

What have I gained?

What more has life to bring?

What have I found?

What have I missed?

What lies in store for me?

Full measure overflowing?

A cup of bitter wine?

Be it as it was meant to be

From the moment of light.

For I was made to lose and gain,

To search and find.

To grow until mortality

Becomes divine.

For Mike

Twenty-two years –

Loss of not knowing you.

Love at first sight.

First dance by chance.

And even though the glance

Becomes routine

My life is lived in being with you.

Two worlds, two lives as one

Combine and compensate.

Soft eyes have

Captured my heart,

Coloured my dreams,

Calmed my fears,

Guided my way,

Gilded your love.

Husband, Father and Son

Defined as one

So precious in my eyes.

New President

First citizen of our land

Historic land,

Land of the Celts,

Island of saints and scholars.

Invaded land,

Liberated land,

Divided nation.

Land of the young and

Hope of the future.

First citizen of our land –

Cherish our pride,

Our heritage and

Our emerging destiny in your hands.

We, the people, have seen fit

To exalt you.

Now, inspire and inspirit

This restless and romantic nation.

Bring your office to bear upon events

Bring your person to the people.

Embody the enshrined ideals

So dearly paid for.

Go forth and be the face of Ireland

Among the nations of the earth.

Take our seal as President and

First citizen of our land.

Birthday Boy

I’m sure this man

Has long outgrown the boy.

And yet sometimes

The eyes and smile betray

The shy and tender

Child of prey. 

Today another thirty something

And looking back

You well must know

Where strife and rife were born.

The years like short

Autumnal days sweep by

And rustic trees

Now raped of leaves

Our souls imply.

Something or maybe thirty something

Still to go – who knows?

But sometime on some

Sunny afternoon

Take time to hold that little boy

And underneath the falling leaves

Go gently wipe the tears away

And tell him of the buds of May.

Remember in the darkest night

The flickering candle casts a light

And worries waxed upon the brow

May melt and disappear

As birthday greetings come to cheer. 

Atlanta Games

Atlanta Games are calling you,

Come, take your place among the brave

And make your mark upon the world

And set for us a noble stage

Where body, mind and soul engage

To leap beyond the highest bounds.

The sweat, the tears, the pain, the fears

The dreams of past and future years

Emerge as one whose channelled flow

May lead you to that golden glow.

And even if the gleaming fades.

Worries bound and heart sinks low,

Tis those who dare will always win

And stand upon their pedestal.