Upstairs

I was younger then
Much younger
Blessing myself as my eyes burned
The alarm clock’s luminous arms reaching to me
Holding the curtain ends
I fanned my face with brisk strokes
And there was a framed picture
Bought from a travelling man
Of Jesus knocking on the door
His hand moved with my shaking head
And the landing light
Threw a hunchback on the wall
Bundled clothes, boxes spoke unwanted words
To a frightened child,
Was there someone in the wardrobe?
And the visitors scratched the floor
The kitchen tap filling a kettle
As saucers and side plates slid
And I swung out slowly
Toes touching the green-bubbled carpet
My ear on the wool-
Brother Serenus was there
Telling of Padre Pio’s cures
But who owned the woman’s laugh?
The footsteps on the hall tiles
Meant that I would never know
Or remember to ask
I withdrew to the cold sheets
And snuggled into thoughts
Of marbles, football cards
And collage in Master Lane’s class.

^

Biography

Shane Martin was born in 1965 and grew up in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. He combines the role of part-time teacher and post-graduate psychology studies with writing. He has had many poems published in various magazines and journals throughout Ireland, Britain, America, New Zealand and Australia. His first collection of poems entitled ‘The Dark Room’ was published by Back Lane Books in December 2001. His second collection of poems is due for publication in November 2002. Shane also has his own website at www.shane-martin.com