First Mark

first published in Outburst Feb 2012

With this first mark,
I make a path — stepping stone words
through an otherwise empty space.


With this repetition, I strengthen,
widening the space,
invite others to follow.


Now that the path has been drawn, 
— the questions. Why here? Why now?


Each new poem exploring,
this wondrous garden,
where we weeds have grown.

©Copyright Niall OConnor

Snow

published thefirstcut5 Feb 2012

The water of life is stilled
and I watch
as in slow motion

the falling eyelashes of snow

whisper me towards sleep

each and every fractal variation

yet unstained

by hormonal recreation

life is the messy one

From orifices that weep, and secrete

and defecate,

weaved between soiled and tangled sheets,

in oyster stains drawn by semen filled sacks,

we find little deaths:

preambles in the dark.

all men, and beasts,

and sentient things

fear death's embrace

whether it comes gently

or without warning

because death reorganises, recycles

base elements once more

in concert;

a symphony rewritten.

©Copyright Niall OConnor Text and Images

30

The interests that fascinate and dominate a person's life can often make absolutely no sense to anyone else. What is important is that they fascinate us, and allow us to focus the passion for living in some tangible way. This might be poetry, or painting, gardening, or baking. It might begin with the child who wants to collect stones they find beauty in. It might be the older person with their daily crossword. It might even be numbers. We must respect the absolute value of this passion in others as we accept a key, with its apparent nonsensical shape, can turn the hidden workings of a lock. Everything has this potential to be fascinating, given the right degree of passion and application . . . even the number 30 . . . .

30 days, 30 years, 30 pieces of silver;

the rule of trinity extended

three horizontal realities to One vertical,

and the no-beginning, no-end zero

30 poems, 30 constructs, 30 lives,

by a hologram

from the edge of the real,

30 bells toll for thee.

A moments attention, now please,

for 30 the square pyramidal number,

30 the smallest Giuga number

primorial and natural;

both semi-perfect,

and Harshad(giver of joy).

To bake a really big cake,

you require just two and a half dozen,

or 30,

fresh eggs.

-30-

©Copyright Niall OConnor