Sisters

Childhood
But not the face of a child.
From a faded print
First spark of the death wish.
Her svengali smile
The dull tick-tock of evil
Beneath hooded eyes.

Of course, she led you on.
Dumbstruck disciples
Strapped up to the Good Book
Steadied your vows
Against joy; against love.

And just an ordinary house!
Yet sealed with the wax
Of renunciation.
The dinner table laid,
Empty plates
For a shared starvation.

But your bodies incensed
Made light work of revenge.
Conspired to trade
Ascension for the agony
Of unanswered prayers.

Death did not stop the pain
Nor open up the pearly gates.
Instead disclosed a set
Of downward steps.
And all around the rank odour
Of dreams destroyed.
Suicide's reward?
The numbed fumble of the void.

You see I know.
I've the second rate privilege
Of ghosts.

And was that your voice
Just the other day?
A low scudding wind
Off the Dublin bay.