Sign of the Year

Saoirse was born
Then there was the car

After some time
I won’t be driven anywhere without crying

Nothing bad has ever happened to me
She said
And then all at once
Quite a few things

Maybe I can hold myself 

Now the children have gone
People asked –
“How do you feel about it?”

Standing upright is good
Stay the Irish tide
So they come and go

With my arm outstretched
There will be another chance
To hold hands

Which part of me has gone with the sign of the year?