Blackrock Baths

by

Hay Machine

Once upon an ordinary day
in August nineteen sixty four
a stream of excitement
got off the green bus from College Green
at Blackrock Baths
and snaked its way with ragged towel and faded togs
over the footbridge by the railway line
where the bronzed and timeworn handrail
tasted cold and bittersour

Fresh whitwashed walls in the east sea breeze
chilled the tropical promise
and the sure clunk of the turnstile
presented a light and air-filled otherworld
The grand proportions of the pools
the high board towering like Eiffel's in the corner
and the wet concrete
was soft and footwarm under the grandstand

Swimming from the steps in tight and urgent arcs
swallowing the brine and slowly drowning
in the open afternoon sea-grave
drowned altogether but for Neptune's hand and sympathy

Goose-chilled in the evening main street shadow
The upstairs bus seats homely warm
and the keepers of great carousels of high chatter
for each swimming soul a different day at Blackrock Baths
and every ordinary day by Leyland's faithful workhorse engine sound
familiar like the projector hummm....eeeummm
showing a different reel of film
back in Phibsborough and Cabra and beyond

NEXT?
Why don't you look at On the Wayne Carey scandal
by: Francis Duggan
from: Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia

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