BACKTRACKING (poem for #AudioMo Day 7)

Poem by Paul O'Mahony - recorded for #AudioMo 2018 Day 7

Backtracking

They robbed one man of his loneliness 

when they automated the Skelligs 

• a lighthouse for the wider world went out.

You could feed a multitude on the soft greenery 

with the loaves and fishes 

behind that view.

We climbed the stairs assembled 

with the same architectural craft 

as those stones igloos.

The cell opened up 

first light, then warmth, 

it became easier to see the attraction

There’s no hardship in those cells 

just the pain you bring inside 

that’s yours to cherish.