The tomorrow he todaydreams
is always quieter,
more tranquil
rain less likely to lighten
tarmacadam or flash flood drains,
wind less likely to flop foxglove
or ramble rose.

In reality his fingers will be
willow strained, compost stained
while his mind will elbow
fellow burdenbowed
through mountain slits.

Eventually he'll resign and sit,
let mountains subside and willows unwind
tomorrow's tally.

Except that even then the peace
and quiet will be up
set if only by a grand
child lamenting a fox
glove flattened, a visit
terminating.

Michael Farry is a member of Boyne Writers Group. He is editor of the group’s magazine, Boyne Berries. He has been published in Crannog, Revival and Carillon. He was awarded second prize in the Goldsmith and Dromineer Poetry competitions 2008.