inishmore

peat farmers
are spreading the hay
by hand
anticipating rain
inishmore

the british
pushed the irish west
of their own isle
onto the aran isles.

sent away,
galway
town of the foreigners
12th century

and then the
dispossessed british
inside or out
of exclusive
ferries and selves,

british overlords
the heritage surviving
in tiny pockets
of ruined wall
the central park

the river corrib
runs through the center
of the town,
the fishermen
take turns in waders

casting their lures
beneath colorful facades,
the youthful crowds,
university.

the many dark centuries
of souls gathered
are layered like the soil,
ignite todays fires
in the young country
with so much history.