nocturne
a note lingers
a forward echo
from an ancient song
the lone woman
on the long road
carries it on
with imperfect pitch
a gate opens
a door opens
she is gone
a continent away
a man well-versed
in parting words
hums a tear
into his own eye
as he tries to turn a key
noiselessly
he glimpses
for no longer than it takes
a chord to change
the moon arrives
with orchestration
Katie Martin is a poet from Dublin. Publication credits include The Irish Times, Crannóg, Abridged, Skylight 47 and Humana Obscura. Her work has been anthologised in Local Wonders (Dedalus) and Washing Window Too (Arlen House).