Ronan Barbour

late at night

people have stopped 
answering their phones 
people have stopped 
leaving their voices 
in greeting 
or goodbye 

so I knock on windows 
late at night 

long and loud enough 
to awaken  
the possibility
of an inhumane monster
on the other side

long and loud enough
to get some of them 
praying 
for that
which they 
give:
an empty footpath 
under the cold glow 
of the street lamp

the image 
they have etched
in another’s 
heart 
late at night