Lovely tribute from fellow Limerick poet Ger Shehy for the late Mark Whelan.
Gift
i.m. Mark Whelan
The first time that I saw him
he was dressed in the regalia
of a late twentieth century Bard;
fedora hat and denims
with a satchel over his shoulder
to carry written and wrestled-over words.
As he walked
a trail of tobacco smoke bellowed
while his mind forged ideas into verse
and too shy my whole life to tell him
a spark from that process ignited something in me.
The last time that I saw him
the fedora was a well-worn trademark
and the cloud of smoke that accompanied him
was rising in a spiral like a signal.
His steps were slower now
with his once fiery beard turned Druid grey.
After offering a greeting
all I managed to say was I hoped he was still writing,
and gentle man to the last, he smiled, nodded
then reassured me with, I am.