Tilly

Tilly

(Dublin, 1904, originally known as "Cabra")



He travels after a winter sun,



Urging the cattle along a cold red road,



Calling to them, a voice they know,



He drives his beasts above Cabra.




The voice tells them home is warm.



They moo and make brute music with their hoofs.



He drives them with a flowering branch before him,



Smoke pluming their foreheads.




Boor, bond of the herd,



Tonight stretch full by the fire!



I bleed by the black stream



For my torn bough!