Kilmainham Goal©
29/11/2021

Haunted eyes of windows that look out
silently upon the world
Distant sounds of cars whooshing past
Walking intently through the door
into the cool, darkened hall
Stepping onto concrete floor
breath-taking views of stone and steel
crisscross the glass above
Eyes look upwards to the stairs
that reach the heavens above
Light filters down to those below
Eyes in wonder, voices lift
upon the majestic view
Gaining answer to quell their thirst
Paint peeling as walls laid bare
Graffiti written of voices present
Long forgotten voices
echoes upon the weathered stone
the cold slowly creeps in
Eyes seeking darkened doors
housing the menfolk of long, long ago
Names spill out upon the wintered air
Pearse, Plunket Eamon, are just a few
and on it goes, History laid bare upon the stone
Steel padlocked doors,
barred shadows of those souls
Continuing through the building at a pace
Narrow pathways where well-known feet have trod
Through lowered doorways and well-worn stairs
A carved alter built within the stone
Bending with care, Stepping out
into the loose stone courtyard
Footsteps crunch softly
as one moves silently upon the ground
Icy fingers glides down one’s back
Shivering softly within the misty air
Hushed voices of the poignant beauty
of the goal that is now repaired
Enquiring hands touching stone
as it weeps as if for the slain
Heavy clouds hang above the walls
The flag flutters softly within the breeze
Commemorating those that were slain
their blood spilled upon the stones
Two crosses stand starkly within the yard
These bear the heroes that were lain to rest
upon the land that they know best
Stepping through yonder gate
returns one to the norm
Respecting those that were slain
under the flag that flies upon the day
A fleeting smile, a nod of head, hushed voices raised
as one continues on their way.