The Somnambulist

by John Doyle

My body’s lost in the lyrics of Americana songs,

tugging time to darkened pasts.

When I awake

disappointment 

is a crazy-eyed 

nine-tooth animal

I have not written for the invisible sectors of the Bible.

It's an animal 

that chooses not to have a face

and I bleed myself from horse and music

and the aspects of universality

that often make me real

in unknown zones.

A coyote named Peter had blood-black sacks around his eyes,

he was tired, he asked me if I could dream for him

of a highway with sad morning skin rooks buried their prayers in

John Doyle is from County Kildare in Ireland. He returned to writing poetry in February 2015 after a gap of nearly 7 years. Since then, he's had 10 collections released, including Leaving Henderson County, in 2020, and A Word in Your Fear in 2024. He is writing his first novel at present and works as a librarian.