Today’s choice

Previous poems

Mark McDonnell

by | Aug 1, 2026 | ,

 

 

 

First Funeral

Fascinated by the priest’s teeth I don’t realise
I’m kicking the pew in front with a restless foot
until someone taps me sharply on the knee.

I’m near the coffin on its trestles and a plaster Jesus
whose wounds shed drops of hard shiny blood.
I think he looks a bit disappointed in me.

Perhaps he wants me to Be Brave like Him
and not to make things worse for everyone.
I’m not sure if I should cry. I can see

my father is crying and I know that’s
because, He’s lost his soul mate;
that’s what Fr. Stephens told my auntie.

 

 

Mark McDonnell sings, writes and teaches English to refugees.  He used to manage a pharmaceutical company and then a counselling charity.  He has had worked published in a wide variety of journals during the last four years.  See www.instagram.com/mcdonnellpoet5135  and https://www.facebook.com/mark.mcdonnell.9231/

Ben Banyard

by | Aug 11, 2025 | ,

There were hundreds of them, all in period costume,
each generation explained who they were,
queued like at a wedding reception to greet us.

Maurice Devitt

by | Aug 6, 2025 | ,

Yes, you gave us your elegant hands
and capricious smile, but as I make my way
to the chiropodist this morning,
it’s your feet I’m thinking of . . .