Honor Duff is a native of Dublin but has been living in rural Cavan for the past several years. She has had poems published in Crannog, The Stony Thursday Book, Boyne Berries, Windows Authors & Artists; was placed third in the 2012 Goldsmith Poetry Festival, and commended in the 2010 and 2012 Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award.

Two poems by Honor Duff

A GOOD DAY COMING

The ‘Sursum corda” of the birds

in the early morning light

raises great expectations.

“God is Good –

and the Devil’s not a bad fellow”,

was my mother’s mantra.

I watch a charm of goldfinch

feeding on thistles.

My heart rises.

BERLIN EVENINGS

The air is so heavy, I can barely breathe.

The charming rooom was somehow fraught with ghosts,

as Linden flower incense caught the throat.

And were they drawn inexorably by praise

of ornate moulded ceiling, hand-carved door,

or was it the stark comment of my hosts:

“This was a Jewish family home before…”

Thunder of boots upon the stairs.

Rifles batter our hand-carved door.

We  draw together, say a prayer,

Out! Out! The stident voices roar.

I shudder, and they ask if I am cold?

no, just a goose that walked across my grave.

They have the same expression, I am told.

We laugh politely, situation saved.

The night oppressive,

we move out for air

upon the balcony, but,

there was none to spare.