A poem from the late James Liddy, who was born in Lower Pembroke Street. The subject is D’Olier Street’s famous Red Bank restaurant a relatively posh establishment famous for oysters and frequented in the 1950s and before by politicos of the right and left, the literary elite and more bohemian writers, when in funds.

I saw you minutes ago
on Trinity’s cobblestones
after the maces stone-staring

On D’Olier Street, what a thrill
big international shadow
on our side-alley underbelly.

Swift and his serving man
drenched in Liffey monsoon
an’t keep up with Sam.

Now us rich kids sort of fey
no serving men with bread
but in a lobster restaurant

3/12/2014

Published in Poetry Ireland, Issue 90, 2007