CEILIDHE

The red Armada of the sun burned down
From Magheraroarty, melodeons played
The Waves of Tory and the young girls sat
Upon the knees of men; I took my sup,
I kissed the mouth beside me and forgot
My sorrow on the cold dark tide.

SCANDAL

Though I have caught the knowledgeable salmon
Out of the unlighted waters at Cong,
Fasted on holy islands where the sail
Still bends a knee, I had not thought, O woman
Of the Dark Hair, that you would make the priest
Talk from the altar and our love as common
As holy water at the chapel door.

BLESSING

O Woman of the House, no sorrow come
From the dark glen to leave your floor unswept,
When I was tired you gave me milk and bread
And I could sit down by the fire and dream
Of her who crazed my heart; when dew began
Behind the door and the lazy candle was lit,
I made this rann for sleep: no mouse creep out
Nor evil thing, O Woman of the House.