Lough Neigh
we thought i was getting a cold
but we went all the same
out in the boat to the island
in vast inaccessible Lough Neagh
you can’t even see it from the shore
the Bulls were looking after it
for the National Trust
a low dark damp cottage
with a big map of the island
painted on the wall
right out into the jungle
running paths
with sticks in our hands
this way that way
and then abruptly a hole
full of grey water
with a brown hairy ominous back
floating drowned dead
spirit of the dead dead
donkey
we stopped
hovering
recoiling from an accident
that perhaps required adult intervention
back squealing recovering fun