Beneath it Devours

Inspired by the Shell to Sea campaign

Giants whirr and clank,

wrench earth by its roots

tear, clench, gouge

an artery –

an ocean wide.

Poisons seep

invade flesh to

arrest alveoli,

heavy with grief.

Over metal chatter

a hand of voices roar;

to impede the bully, secure

beneath its jaundiced shell.

A gavel falls

shatters shackles

allows the beasts’ return

to pillage the tip of Erris,

nestled in Ireland’s arm.

A community fractured,

bipolar and bleeding,

left to battle batons

raised at flesh and bone,

reigning dull blows.