fourteen days ago

 

It was snowing in Ireland when I awoke.

The garden was covered in a light cloak of white brightness.

I immediately thought of the verses by Russian poet Sergei Yesyenin about the cherry tree covered in snow beneath his window.

Little white cherry tree

Beneath my window

Covered in snow

Just like silver.

My job interview was scheduled for 10am.

Checking the early news on my mobile phone, I discovered that Putin has launched his smash and grab on Ukraine.

It is a full scale invasion.

The world is on the brink of war.

I went for the job interview anyway.

After ye aforementioned venerable job interview which was as full of bathos as any I've ever had (one woman in a two woman interview panel asking me had I been vaccinated and I telling her it was illegal to even ask that question and then going through the motions of checking out her legs for my files, just for old time's sake you understand and well, because I, er, thought she was waving them at me, and so she was if it comes to that, but does one need an excuse, her or me, the other woman apologising, not about the leg waving of course, that's a given, and informing her colleague "James is right. It is illegal to ask him any question about his vaccination status," either way we all knew I wasn't getting the ****ing job) I drove to Newbridge where I nearly collided with a pedestrian as I turned into the Silverware cafe.

Back in Kilcullen I headed to the church to thank God for the fact that I hadn't collided with the pedestrian and to pray for Ukraine.

Alone before the altar I sang hymns.

Sacrament Most Holy.

Allelujah.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

Hail Queen Of Heaven.

Soul Of My Saviour.

Presently it seemed, the silvered tabernacle became brighter than usual while the rest of the church receded from view until there was only the tabernacle.