DULLAHAN
with pity for all living things
being chased by a ghoul on a horse
with its head tucked under its arm
consider the plight of the rider
consigned to blank nights on a horse
or behind the wheel of an automobile
consider the plight of the rider
cruising the potholed streets of your city
headless inside her automobile
sheer muscle memory steering her home
cruising the potholed streets of your city
dullahan, headless Irish fairy
dronelike, mindless, riding home
you may have sensed her, late one night
dullahan, headless Irish fairy
caught up in repetition
you may have sensed her, many nights
with your shamed red face in your hands
caught up in repetition
with pity for all living things
—from Rattle #39, Spring 2013
Tribute to Southern Poets
__________
Julie Kane (Louisiana): “I do not know why I love poetry as much as I do, but all throughout grade school I would take my English book home on the first day of school and read every single poem in it that night. Poetry still has that power over me.” (web)