Poem: "Begin" by Brendan Kennelly

Begin again to the summoning birds 

to the sight of the light at the window, 

begin to the roar of morning traffic 

all along Pembroke Road. 

Every beginning is a promise born 

in light and dying in dark determination 

and exaltation of springtime 

flowering the way to work. 

Begin to the pageant of queuing girls 

the arrogant loneliness of swans in the canal bridges 

linking the past and future old friends passing, 

though with us still. 

Begin to the loneliness that cannot end 

since it perhaps is what makes us begin, 

begin to wonder at unknown faces 

at crying birds in the sudden rain 

at branches stark in the willing sunlight 

at seagulls foraging for bread 

at couples sharing a sunny secret alone together while making good. 

Though we live in a world that dreams 

of ending that always seems about to give in something 

that will not acknowledge conclusion insists that we forever begin.