Rory Brennan grew up in Dublin and took a degree in literature from Trinity College. He has worked in education, broadcasting and arts administration and has lived for extended periods in Morocco and Greece. Travel in these and many other places is reflected in the vitality and range of his writing.
A Poem from 'The Old in Rapallo' by Rory Brennan
The Paper Kisses
A secret invasion of cherubs was what it was like,
This littering of the house with impressions of lips,
Immaculately printed, love's own personal calling cards,
Ghost-mouths whispering inaudible promises,
Ripe beauty hinted in their Cupid's bows.
Pink, mauve, rose, ochre, vermillion, deep red,
Their shades could match some prism of the moods
Fired by first love's blinkering firework display.
The paper kisses were so perfect as to seem great art,
Fugitive sketches from a Primavera folio.
But they were planted on old bills, junk mail, torn envelopes,
Flyleaves of paperbacks, runic scraps of their father's foolscap,
Mingling with last demands, free offers, blurbs and poems,
Gracing the quotidian with their luscious blooms,
Reminding us we are insubstantial and forgotten without love.
Mostly they were to be found near mirrors and telephones
Where hectic lipstickings took place before the dash
To disco, rave, club, bar. Only these last minute dabbings
Were the departure signals of our lovely daughters.
May those who kiss their lips earn their warm hearts.
Copyright Rory Brennan
