Skiagram

Michael Longley
I gaze at myself before I was born. A shadow Against her liver and spine I share her body With my brother's body, two skulls in a basket, Two sets of bones that show no abnormalities. I want her to eat the world, giblets, marrow, Tripes and offal, fish, birds, fields of grain. But because it is April nineteen thirty-nine
I should look up to the breasts that will weep for me And prescribe in the dark a salad of landcress, Fennel like hair, the sky-blue of borage flowers.
Page 2, Poetry Ireland Review Issue 26