Aotearoa

Poem by Tom Boggins
(Old Commons Road Clondalkin, Dublin).

"Aotearoa"

The land of the long white cloud -
Aotearoa.

Fire-blowing dragons, and
Giant snake-like-worms;
Rattles the earth apart,
Rattles like the babies-rattle;
Calms the frightened child.
l leave behind my beloved Ireland;
O beloved Dublin! Im away to Aotearoa.
Still l carry you in my heart till my dying day.
I only have to close my eyes and l'm walking the Wicklow Way;
Cycling around Blessington lakes;  Running through fields of sheaves of corn, that tickle my face, hands, and short trouser leg.
I'm searching for the lads up by Corkagh Park; cross the Drinker-river, on down by Corkagh lane, across Kavanaghs and Dowlings fields, back onto the Commons Road, and wolf down bread and jam, and a jam-jar of Ma's delicious sugary-tea.
O l hope that fire-blowing dragon and snake-like-earth-worm doesn't tear-up my dreams tonight!