Noel Monahan

Statue Park
 
After the wall came down, all statues of
the Communist party were rounded up
from the streets of Budapest and taken
to a suburban garden to stand together:
giant sized pieces, Lenin in suit and
waistcoat, stoic war and work heroes …
less at home now, they miss the busy squares
noisy cafés.
                    The garden sprouts a different shoot,
some statues bloom and blush for shame,
others smile like stand-up comics
longing for a laugh. Tourists in Gucci sunglasses
reflect on these symbols, Russian days
behind a red brick wall. Outside, new houses
breathe, windows open, night spills down the Danube.
 
 
 
 
 
Noel Monahan has published five collections of poetry. His most recent publication was Curve of The Moon (Salmon Poetry, 2010). His literary awards include: The SeaCat National Award organised by Poetry Ireland, The Hiberno-English Poetry Award, The Irish Writers’ Union Poetry Award, The William Allingham Poetry Award and The Kilkenny Poetry Prize. In 2001 he won The PJO’Connor RTE Radio Drama Award for his play Broken Cups and in 2002 the ASTI Achievements Award contribution to literature at home and abroad. His work has been translated into Italian, French, Romanian and Russian. His most recent plays include: The Children of Lir performed by Livin’ Dred Theatre and Lovely Husbands, performed at the inaugural Henry James Literary Festival, 2010. His poetry is now prescribed text for the Leaving Certificate English Course 2011 and 2012. Noel Monahan is co-editor of Windows Publications and he holds an M.A. in Creative Writing.