Paul Muldoon




The Lass of Aughrim

On a tributary of the Amazon
an Indian boy
steps out of the forest
and strikes up on a flute.

Imagine my delight
when we cut the outboard motor
and I recognize the strains
of The Lass of Aughrim.

‘He hopes,’ Jesus explains,
‘to charm
fish from the water

on what was the tibia
of a priest
from a long-abandoned Mission.’