Inniskeen Road: July Evening

The bicycles go by in twos and threes -

There's a dance in Billy Brennan's barn tonight, 

And there's the half-talk code of mysteries 

And the wink-and-elbow language of delight. 

Half-past eight and there is not a spot 

Upon a mile of road, no shadow thrown 

That might turn out a man or woman, not 

A footfall tapping secrecies of stone. 

I have what every poet hates in spite 

Of all the solemn talk of contemplation. 

Oh, Alexander Selkirk knew the plight 

Of being king and government and nation. 

A road, a mile of kingdom. I am king 

Of banks and stones and every blooming thing.

-- Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967) Irish poet and novelist