A Sudden Shaft of Light

My demented mother
who doesn’t know me anymore,
looks up as I come into the room.
Ach – there’s my wee darling Moyra
she says, such love in her voice

that everything falls away but love.
The slate is clean,

and I, new born again and perfect,
know myself beloved daughter
before the darkness closes in again.
 

Moyra Donaldson from Co Down has published eight collections of poetry, most recently Carnivorous, Doire Press, 2019, and is a recipient of a Major Individual Artist award from Arts Council Northern Ireland.