SLIGO
The Best Kept Secret In Ireland

The newborn dew whispers
Ever-so-gently to the tired early hours-
As the echo of a mare's hoofs
Clip clops lazily towards the Holy Well.

Rumour has it that the Two Doves
Formed over three hundred million years ago.
They certainly look old from the distance-
But geologists claim it's hard to tell.

The milk bottles keep chilled by the breeze
Which shifts the cold morning into a cool noon-day
And the blue-tits visit for tea again
From across the heathered dell.

Small streams flow from the tin shed roof;
And the mat is soaked right through-
But the steam rises dreamily from the cup
And the coal is burning well.

- Thomas F. O'Leary