THE BANSHEE

The banshee went gadding about

Inverness to Edinburgh to Dingle


all who she upset is hard to say

who heard her wail as warning

wondering who in their house

would die and when not knowing

the little banshee was a nitwit

only wailing for her lost earring

               THE NEW DELILAH

On a bright morning in Venice

in a palazzo on the Grand Canal

Delilah is quiet.

She took a fancy to a sunny boy

and took him for a one-night stand.

Tied to the bedposts, her hair shorn

she’s wearing a Carnevale mask

with holes for eyes upon its face.

Sunny boy steps in lapping water

leaving Delilah’s place.

Now released from obligation

on his way to Karma’s Bar

he drops in the lagoon

a silver dagger and Delilah’s eyes.