Smithereens Press Chapbooks SP14 - The Lighthouses by Daragh Breen | Page 11

Skelligs (High); 1826, inactive since 1870
Skelligs (Low); 1967, 53 metres, 3 white flashes, separated by 2.5
seconds, every 15 seconds

Storms offshore constantly shed their wave skins
as the chasing shoals hover beneath the surface
to feed on the scattered debris.
On the coast road to Dun Quin
a white alabaster Christ crucified in the rain
overhangs a sheer cliff
with the grief of waves
keening against the stone face below.
A fury of seabirds and gulls rise
from out of the foam-frayed waves
like blown snow
and bring a blush of whiteness
to the cold dark cliff
where they rest and wait.

7