Very pleased to see my poem ‘Rachael’ in Boyne Berries magazine (no. 14) August 2013 which was launched at the Castle Arch Hotel, Trim, last Thursday 26 Sept. I found this a difficult poem to write (aren’t they all?) because the experience of losing someone from your school classroom so suddenly is a chastening event and one that puts things in perspective. So do all deaths but the loss of someone young with such a lot to expect from life is particularly sad.

Well done to all at BB for the good work they put into the issue and particularly to Michael Farry who oversaw things, and to Kate Dempsey for a very professional editing. And congrats to all the other contributors. Follow the activities of this writers’ group at http://www.boynewriters.com

Rachael

For days it seemed you might walk in

at any moment, late for class

 

but happy to be back again

from one more hospital appointment.

 

Rolls and registers are caught out

by mortality. Each time

 

I skip your name I feel I’m part

of a conspiracy to forget.

 

You should be here with us in class

this morning. English, Period 1:

 

examples of the Unseen Poem

and how to reach behind the words

 

to understand what happened, why

it couldn’t be allowed to pass

 

unnoticed. Handing out the books,

I find the notes you made last week.