Ten Years in the DOGHOUSE

Sample piece from Ten Years in the DOGHOUSE

Her majesty
has me waiting
static behind a wheel
going nowhere in No-Man's-Land
somewhere between Newbridge and Naas.

There are three lines of sardined lanes
bumper to bumper traffic,
farting fumes
(excuse me your majesty)
with drivers bellowing purple smoke.

An ambulance
chances the median,
its blue roof lights
flickering and flashing,
minus the siren
in reverent silence for HRH.

On my left is full field of rape
flack-jacket yellow;
a sort of warning
to tread softly,
be patient.
Somewhere ahead on my right
the Queen is just passing by.

We await her majesty's amnesty.

– by Mae Leonard