Maternal Frills

Upon hearing the recitation
Of a vagrant on the jetty
The sound of waves lapped in amazement
And marveled at the young pier jumpers

A pepper shaker had been resigned
By a tiny diver in thunderous expression
Who tapped a bin-lid on the pavement as
A lover gave a girl a quick peck on the cheek

Do not cry sideways for the lack of values held by your descendants
A similar judgement was flung at you
Though you knew yourself to be blameless

Dancing violently upon a table in a pub in the west
Cackling wildly at the old men as she kicked over their drinks
Everybody shook their heads at things unsaid
But she was condemned with eternal constitution

He was happy for the relief
The sun and waters benumbed his vision
He held a pen to the crest of the skyline
In praise of balance and all level surfaces

They hit the road for Ballycroy
Seaweed acted as mascara for the recess
Curious children held on to a dress of maternal frills
As their feet thrummed across the boardwalk

Her bedside manner has a southern grace and midwifery instincts
And the coherent faculty that is inborn to all great women

As she tells the young ones
That they'll all be half their parents age twice
From then on continue to further cluster
Untoward the end of their lives
But for all your present faults
I believe one day you rebound for equal parts in redemption