‘Sniper Alley’ by Nessa O’Mahony

Looks nothing like the one they warned of
in the days when threats were shadows
cast by neighbour’s firs on the back lane.
We obeyed curfew, paused kick-the-can
at dinner time, withdrew to gardens,
waited it out till morning or till old enough
to risk it without older sister or brother.
We didn’t know then that danger doesn’t lurk
behind the pole or ESB transformer;
it hides in full-view, prescription in hand
as we gaze device-rapt, scroll or flick
through images of our younger selves,
lining up each click of the telescopic sight.

From issue #1: autumn/winter 2015

About the Author
Nessa O’Mahony is from Dublin. She has published four books of poetry, the most recent being Her Father’s Daughter (Salmon Poetry 2014). She is a regular facilitator at the Irish Writers’ Centre and teaches with the Open University.