'Berlusconi Does Time'

And on the first morning,

as I help her with her breakfast,

I wonder if she recognises me –

she  gives me a strange look.

On the second morning,

while I sort through her laundry,

she says: are you the guy

who used to be on the television?

On the third morning,

she is sleeping soundly.

She looks so peaceful,

I almost envy her.

On the fourth morning,

When I wheel her out into the garden.

She asks me: how come you never

invited me to any of your parties?

On the fifth morning,

I  read her the newspaper:

I’m in it, of course, (a bad photo) -

she gives me that look again.

On the sixth morning,

her teenage granddaughter comes to visit.

I ask her later what age the girl is:

she says she can’t remember.

On the seventh morning,

she smiles and says hello, handsome.

At least they can now say

I did the community some service.

 Maeve O'Sullivan

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world/berlusconi-in-bunga-bunga-appeal-1.432746

Dubliner Maeve O’Sullivan’s work has been widely published and anthologised for twenty years. Her collections of haiku (Initial Response, 2011) and poetry (Vocal Chords, 2014), are from Alba Publishing. www.twitter.com/maeveos

Leaving Vigo

With sad and friendly eyes she answers yes

when I ask if Santiago trains are on.

Seventy-five fatalities, or more:

 un accidente horrible - she nods.

A message wishes us a pleasant trip,                                                  

the carriage has an eerie muffled mood,

its notice says 130 km per hour,

we read our newspapers and phones, subdued.

I see Camino pilgrims stumbling,

their spirits springing up from bloody rails;

fresh donations from Gallegos streaming

through some survivors’ arteries and veins.

The train conductor doesn’t meet my gaze.

At journey’s end we disembark with haste.

© Maeve O’Sullivan

Spanish train crash: Galicia derailment kills 78

Maeve O’Sullivan works as a media lecturer in Dublin. She has published her poems and haiku widely. Her first haiku collection, Initial Response, was launched by Alba Publishing in 2011. www.twitter.com/maeveos

High Occupancy

No, we're not going to be late
for the ceremony. Nearly there Mom.
You know I hate it when you act
the back seat driver.

Uh-oh, we're being pulled over.
What do you mean are my tax
and insurance still okay?
Of course they are, Mom!

Good afternoon, officer.
Yes, I am aware that this is
the car pool lane. No, I am not
travelling alone. That
is my mother back there...

Can't you see her?

© Maeve O'Sullivan

Skeleton in passenger seat - driver arrested.

Maeve O’Sullivan works as a media lecturer in Dublin. She has published her poems and haiku widely. Her first haiku collection, Initial Response, was launched by Alba Publishing in 2011. www.twitter.com/maeveos