Foetus Papypaceous

“What has murder and torture to do with the poet? There is no war” Michael Hartnett 13-1-1977

There is no privacy.

We both watch the sweat pouring of each of us.

Our fear is naked and we cannot cover up our shame

Like locked down in this never able to open piggy-bank kill town.

The murderous twins that we are in time’s womb

Standing in out of waiting for the bomb to go off.

My friend is my enemy, is my odd bad friend.

We chat about the “The Troubles” and or “The Weather”

And like horse-laugh, What has murder and torture to do with us?

There is no war.

 

Illustration to Padraic Fiacc poem “Foetus Papypaceous” from his 1986 volume “Missa Terribilis”. Linoleum print on Japanese Hosho paper, black red and metallic gold ink. Limited edition of 10. $100 by PayPal to seamuscarmichael@gmail.com with a delivery address.