Farranfore

While he was on fire, he saw into all worlds.
In those few moments he was welcome in all worlds.
-John Moriarty

If you eat the food offered in the other world
you cannot return.
Is it so bad, to remain?
Without a reunion the story cannot begin.

Six hundred miles to Boston
six miles above the sea
Dublin two thousand miles
behind me
where I left my heart
homeward bound
reading about the time
Jesus harrowed the gates of Hell
on his way to heaven.

All his labor finished
headed home then changed his mind
opened what his father locked tight
I have one more stop
something I have to do
I’ve been dead cold
for three days and nights
another hour won’t harm a thing
but maybe his father was waiting
anxiously anticipating homecoming.

I am returning to beginnings
what used to be called home
now a destination for departure
anticipating reunion again
again with you
my harrowed heart
broken open beloved.

A ribbon held your braid
as you held me
all you had to do
was kiss my cheek
on the station platform
the train to Farranfore
was gone before
I noticed the snowflakes
in your hair
the state of my mind
became liberation
became this world
such a world
my eyes closed to receive
what your lips were bringing home.