To The Angel of the North

Dear Angel of the North, You who watch over Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, Could you spare some days/a week perhaps To make your way across the Irish Sea And spread your wings Over us for awhile? We will find a place for you - Howth Summit would do well With all of Dublin Bay to see, Quiet sentry, imperturbable, Protector from all harm And this coronavirus among us, We need your presence and re-assurance. Our Lady, Star of the Sea, I'm sure, From her plinth across the Wooden Bridge On Bull Island, Would be glad to see you too And welcome you here For however long you can manage to stay. And if into town you wanted to venture, There is the 31A (Granted, it would be a bit of a squeeze), But O'Connell Street would be all yours, And if on the odd night You needed a roof, Dublin Airport, I'm sure, would oblige With an empty hangar, As it is fairly quiet there too these days. It would mean so much To look up to Howth Summit And see you there, All quiet and strength And telling us not to worry. Would they mind, you think, If we borrowed you, As we are coronavirus befuddled and muddled, Transfixed and afraid. We know you've work to do Where you are – We appreciate that. We just need you for a re-assuring spell, To tell us That in time, all, though different, Will be well. Do let us know.