Friday, July 31, 2020

On The Passing Of John Kelleher

Sad news out of Millstreet for to learn of today
The ambulance driver John Kelleher from life has passed away
An octogenarian who was widely liked and known
One the people of Millstreet felt proud for to claim for their own

In his prime years John Kelleher was handsome, athletic and tall
As a pole vaulter he was Millstreet's greatest of all
He comepeted with success against Ireland's best
And he was never found to be wanting when put to the test

Quite an amiable fellow in his own unassuming way
Of his many life achievements he never had much to say
That actions speaks louder than words as a truism remain
The meaning in this it's own self does explain

A self coached pole vaulter in his physical prime
In ageing sports fans of Duhallow memories of him live on in time
In pole vaulting competitions in Ireland he seldom finished out of a place
Win or lose he always had a smile on his face

In sports as a pole vaulter he was unique in Millstreet
Against the best of his time he did compete
But there was more to him than being good at sports in good example he led the way
Among many of those who admired him he is resting today

In death he is one well worthy of recall
And this last night and day is ahead of us all
Hope his parting from life for him a painless release
John Kelleher the great man may he rest in peace.

We All Need A Dream

The cream to the top never does fail to rise
A saying that lives on from someone that was wise
Though the climb to fame for some is quite tough
They do reach the summit if they are good enough
So many do daydream of wealth and great fame
That Worldwide theirs will become a household name
But daydreams as is known for so few come true
Though good things from life most believe is their due
Success it is known for to boost self esteem
Far more losers than winners in the World it does seem
It is not saying anything in any way that is new
That life dreams come true only for the few
But we all need a dream for the years ahead
And in the one without a dream hope is all but dead.

There Are Moments

There are moments when joy has you laughing out loud
And moments you feel sad in a happy crowd
And moments when into your pillow you shout
As the anger within you does come gushing out
There are moments in public when you fight back the tears 
A sadness you have not felt for many years
Life does have it's ups and it's downs as they say
We all have our different moods every day
There are moments when you feel life on you is tough
That your best it is simply not good enough
There are moments when you feel you just cannot win
The feeling of failure in you has it's sources within
There are moments of happiness and moments of self doubt
Suppose this is what living life is all about.

Thursday, July 30, 2020

This Terrible Virus

It does not recognize borders of Country or State
And between the wealthy and famous and the poor it does not differentiate
Every day so much about it we read of and of hear
And among people Worldwide it causes widespread fear

Under the strongest of miscroscopes it can only be seen
This fatal to many virus known as COVID-19
It has killed hundreds of thousands of people Worldwide
And from it there is not any safe place to hide

And though good things about it anyone does not say
It is not racist in any sort of a way
It travels in host people from city to town
And kills all Nationalities black, white and brown

Much to the World's Health Organizations regret
A vaccine has not been discovered for it yet
Those that it has infected and did not kill
It will shorten their natural life spans as it left them feeling very ill

The wealthy and famous it treats as the same
As those without a penny to show to their name
It visits every town unwelcome and unseen
This terrible viruis known as COVID-19.

Dawn

Her wavy curly hair is the colour of gold
Perhaps in her early forties and lovely to behold
Devoted to her children and to her husband a good wife
Some men do have all of the good luck in life
Dawn is an attractive woman without conceit or guile
She is one who is blessed with a beautiful smile
And so much about her for one to admire
Her equals are few in the coastal Moyne Shire
So friendly and gentle in her down to earth way
Dawn she does make a new friend every day
One who possesses the bright inner glow
People like her are nice of to know
The Dawn's of the World to say the least rare
The joy that is in her with others she share.

Tower Hill Of The Peek Wurrong

In Tower Hill of the Peek Wurrong lots of wildlife to see
Like Koalas eating leaves on a manna gum tree
And emus, wallabies and echidnas are not known to be rare
As the many visitors to the volcanic valley are of aware
In Tower Hill large mobs of grey kangaroos
And flocks of long billed corellas and yellow tailed black cockatoos
And in Tower Hill lake many species of  wild duck, coot, grebe, stilt, swamphen and moorhen
In a nice place to visit for nature loving children and women and men
On warm summer evenings in the shade of the trees
The Peek Wurrong people had their corroborees
For Tower Hill they did have another name
This was long before people from the northern Lands came
And though in Tower Hill today lots of wildlife to see
The Peek Wurrong a memory of what used to be.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

You Do Not Prove Yourself A Man

You do not prove yourself a man by drinking heaps of grog
Or being the owner of a big dangerous dog
Or hooning about in a big six cylinder car
Impressing you impressionable girlfriend doing burnouts on the bituman and tar
You do not prove yourself a man though your mates you may impress
When you brag to them of your sexual prowess
Like you they look on manhood in a shallow sort of a way
No shortage of egotistical males in the World of today
There are plenty like you who of themselves like to boast
To the ego in the self they like to drink a toast
And the males like you who of self love to brag
For narcissism only does carry the flag
And the real men of the World true for to say
Are different to your sort in every way.

For To Give Him His Due

Materially one who has little to show
But when it comes to life and knowledge quite a lot he does know
For himself he never has that much to say
He listens whilst others do waffle away

Though from time to time he does have a few drinks at the local pub
He is not a member of any community club
In his early sixties well past his physical best day
The hair on his balding head is silver grey

A man who works hard for his take home pay
Nothing easy in life ever does come his way
Any great sporting moments do not ask him to recall
As sport does not seem to interest him at all

He is one who has known of sorrow in his life
Years ago in a motor car accident he lost his three year old daughter and her mother his wife
He never re-partnered or remarried and never again became a dad
His memories are mixed of the good and the bad

A man who in his interests is different to most
Yet of his wealth of knowledge he never does boast
To his higher self one who tries to live true
He is a good person for to give him his due.

On Covid -19

A virus that began in Wuhan in China that has spread Worldwide
Of COVID-19 so many have fallen ill and so many have died
Without a vaccine it kills more people every day
For to die than this many a far better way
A virus that it's very name in billions of people Worldwide instil fear
Of it more deaths every day one does read of and of hear
A virus that between the wealthy and poor does not differentiate
From China it has spread Worldwide at suich a fast rate
COVID-19 infects and kills more people every day
It is not ageist or racist in any sort of a way
Fear, suffering and death it only does create
This virus that does not have a use by date
A silent killer that cannot be seen
And it does not recognize borders COVID-19.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

In The Nearby Church

In the nearby church bell tower the funeral bell
For a devoted deceased member is tolling farewell
As the hearse that bears her last remains the cortege leads the way
To the nearby cemetery where she will forever lay
Though into her eighties there were parting tears
In the eyes of the people who had known her for years
She had attended church services as a child with her brother and her mum and dad
And all who knew her at her passing are left feeling sad
She never had children or was never anyone's wife
Devotion to her god and the church her main interests in life
In her working years as a State Registered Nurse she was compassionate and kind
And to help those in need of helping she was alwaays willingly inclined
The church bell for her tolling as she begins her final drive
But in all who loved and knew her she remains alive.

The Smiling Millstreet Rose

Good memories live on as a source of great joy
She was the pride of the Parish when i was a boy
Wavy raven hair to her shoulders and eyes blue as ripened sloes
She was one of rare beauty the smiling Millstreet Rose

So friendly in her ways and free of conceit
She was one who was not to grrow old in Millstreet
On going back the years some six decades in time
In her early twenties then near her physical prime

The wanderlust in her for places far away
She went off to live in the U  S of A
She would be in her eighties if living today
Did she marry or remain single i do not know to say

The children of the nineteen fifties now ageing women and men
And so many changes in Millstreet since then
The type of young woman most young men desire
She was one in Duhallow that many did admire

The memories of such beauty a lifetime remain
Cannot say if she returned to Duhallow again
The finest in Millstreet though there she did not stay
She is an octogenarian if living today.

I Lived For Many Years

I lived for many years near the Town of Millstreet
And on Spring and Summer evenings often walked through the fields to where the waterways meet
But since then time that ages has become my foe
And going back the years this now seems long ago

On sunny evenings with a gentle breeze
The wild birds on song on the bushes and trees
And today i remember without any tears
Of beauty i knew in the now long gone years

Old memories today remain as a source of joy
Of where i grew to love Nature as a young boy
Where old Clara Mountain as ever looks down
On the green countryside just west of Millstreet Town

Good old memories live on they do not fade away
And in my visualizations Claraghatlea does live in me today
I retain mental images of the beauty i see
That is all i have now of the what used to be

In this beautiful place of koala, wallaby and kangaroo
And long billed corella and emu and yellow tailed black cockatoo
South of where i was born and raised in distance far away
I am learning new things of Nature every day.

Monday, July 27, 2020

The World's Best

Most parents believe their children are the World's best
Superior in every way to all of the rest
Their pride in their offsprings they like to express
And in public like to boast of their every success
They believe they have something for to brag about
Of the greatness of their sons and their daughters they leaave none in doubt
Their egos are talking or so it does seem
Their childrens every small success becomes parental self esteem
When their child wins a prize they lead in the hooray
Their ego will live on in their d n a
Most parents with their children may well be impressed
But only one child can be the World's best
They believe their children are a credit to humanity
And if they believe they are right then right they must be.

From Life We Do Learn

From life we do learn something new every day
We learn as we live it does seem this way
And the more we do learn the more we come to realize
That we do know so little this not a surprise
So lucky are those quite lucky indeed
Who of any more knowledge do not feel in need
The know it all people are not of the few
And this is not saying anything that is new
That on the day we left school our lessons in life did end
Some who think they know better do like to pretend
But then we only believe what we wish to believe
And if your mind is not open to learning knowledge you cannot receive
That we never stop learning some may disagree
This is how it is and how it always will be.

Mostly About

Today you were found to be wanting when put to the test
But at least anyhow you did try your best
To come out second best is never a sin
And you may be near to a very big win
It is the praises of the winner the majority sing
And for the loser disappointment is a natural thing
But it does take a brave one for to lose with grace
And you accepted defeat with a smile on your face
A hard fact of life that anyone would not choose
For one to win big many do have to lose
It is a tough climb to the summit of fame
In all aspects of life it is much the same
And though a loss can sow in one the seeds of self doubt
Competiting is what it is mostly about.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

The Memories Remain

It is a place that i do think of every day
Though from there in distance i live far away
And i have not lived there for thirty four years
Though for what used to be i have long shed my last tears
Claraghatlea in Duhallow just west of Millstreet Town
Where ancient Clara mountain as ever looks down
On those old fields where i grew to love Nature when i was a boy
And learning of her ways today i enjoy
Of the fields of the badger and waterways of the brown trout
In the home of the marsupials in this Land of the south
Many Seasons past my physical prime
It looks like that i may well live out my time
Though nostalgia in me has died the memories remain
And in fancy i often do walk in the old fields again.

Octogenarian Great Grandparents

Living under the one roof their best years long gone
And only their fear of death keeps them living on
They no longer socialize together they have drifted apart in life
Though for sixty years they have lived as man and wife
Octogenarian great grandparents their family is now all they do share
Suppose in a long term relationship this is not rare
With little interests in common words between them are few
That love can grow stale is not saying what is new
It is each to their own in the words of the wise
With her artistic friends she socialize
And with his mates in the pub they mostly talk of football
And in hindsight great moments in sports do recall
The love in their marriage did die years ago
And time that ages all things has become their foe.

Jack's Death Wish

Jack's death wish is to be reborn as a wealthy old lady's cat
From good times and good food quite lazy and fat
Living like a lord in a comfortable house
Without having to hunt for a bird, rat or mouse
Of stress, care or worry completely free
As she sits by the warm heater he purrs on her knee
Jack says to be reincarnated as a privileged feline how great this would be
It would be such a great life would you not agree
To eat the very best of fish and meat
Far better than most people are privileged to eat
Far better to live as a privileged feline than  middle aged labourer Jack
Who from constant hard work has a painful arthritic back
Jack wishes to be reborn as a wealthy woman's cat
From living the good life lazy, sleek and fat.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Those Who Willingly Give

Those who willingly give can expect to receive
This is something that does not seem hard to believe
Those who every day do perform a good deed
For their future good Karma are planting the seed
It is not by the book of good Karma they do live
Those who take and take and never do give
There is more to life than living for the i
Those who believe that self only matter believe their own lie
The people who help the financially down
Remain as the unsung heroines and heroes of the town
It is the arrogant wealthy celebrities the majority admire
And of singing their praises never seem to tire
But for their kindness and compassion one respect to must pay
Those who perform a good deed or two every day.

It Is One Of These Days

Such beautiful weather breezy and bright
Butterflies seemingly dancing in the warm sunlight
Nature's flowers in full bloom quite a beautiful sight
But for you today nothing  has gone right
A text message from your lover the one who was to be your wife
Telling you that she has a new man in her life
On your way home from work on the five o clock train
The tears welling in you seem so hard to contain
The joy you felt in love has ended for you in tears
It is one of these days you will remember for years
As one of those memories that caused you sadness and regret
Life's good and bad memories one does not forget
The sun shining bright in a sky blue and grey
And you feel so sad on this beautiful day.

Concreter Joe

What hard physical work can do to the body look no further than Joe
That he earns his living in the hardest way happens to be so
He looks older than one in his early fifties he walks stiff and slow
The yeaars of hard work on him it clearly does show
His two sons living overseas in their early twenties he lives with Mandy his wife
For the concreter no easy payment in his working life
He looks more like an octogenarian not one of fifty three
Few jobs harder than shovelling concrete as most would agree
For him in life never an easy pay
He earns his livelihood in the hardest way
Broad shouldered and muscular from laying concrete floors every day
On his balding head his once brown hair is grey
Though physically strong and healthwise feeling well
Years of laying concrete floors on his body does tell.

Friday, July 24, 2020

On Port Fairy

There you may not meet anyone who is financially down
In what is supposed to be the World's most livable smaller Town
Though livable only for the privileged few
And this is not saying anything that is new

As a holiday destination it is known far and wide
Port Fairy in the Moyne Shire's coastal countryside
It is the homeplace of many a millionaire
A really poor person could not afford to live there

That it is the World's most livable small Town some may well disagree
For what is livable to you may not be so to me
I always thought that  a livable place is where homes are reasonably priced to buy or to rent
In Port Fairy it would cost you over two hundred dollars a week in a holday park to pitch your tent

The residents of Port Fairy in their beautiful coastal Town feel a justifiable pride
But to live in it is not for the working poor or the unemployed
But if you are a wealthy person with lots of money to spend
Port Fairy for you a house to buy in i would recommend

Voted as the World's most livable small Town where close to the seashore
Most homes in Port Fairy are worth a million or more
What is livable to you may not be so to me
But then suppose on all things very few do agree.

You Were Not The Winner

You were not the winner it was not your day
But what matter you gave it your best anyway
Quite sporting you said that the better one won
And graciously said to the winner well done
You accepted defeat with a smile on your face
It does take a brave one for to lose with grace
The winners are those the majority of wish to know
And in numbers their fans always quickly do grow
And though losing is a thing anyone does not choose
For one to win big many do have to lose
Suppose in all things in life it is much the same
Only for the winner the glory and fame
You did try your best though it was not your day
And you accepted defeat in a gracious way.

The Old Dog And The Pup

The old brown dog looking sleepy and tired and his muzzle is grey
And clearly he has known of a better day
The five months old black and white pup at him bark begging him for to play
But the old dog growls back telling him to go away

The old dog long past his playing days all he wishes to do is sleep
Whilst the pup barks at him his safe distance from him keep
Last week the old dog him did chastise
And for the pup it is better of him to stay clear he has come to realize

The old dog is much like a cranky old man
Who is near to the end of his living span
Feeling tired after an hour of chewing on his bone
All he wishes for now is to be left alone

The pup he is not lacking in energy
Like all puppies he is one who does not tire easily
But to an old dog who spends much of his time at rest
A playful puppy is just a young pest

The old dog is never in the mood for play
He growls at the pup for to go away
He does have his moods like a cranky old man
Who is near to the end of his living span.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

At Such A Young Age

At such a young age life on him is so tough
Homeless and hungry at fifteen and at night sleeping rough
So many young people live like him in the World of today
And this is a sad thing for to have to say

The judgmental say everyone have life choices words are easily said
It is hard to feel happy when hope in you is all but dead
Abused by his father the reason that home he fled
His mum overseas to another man wed

So many young people like him in the World of today
Without hope for the future living in the hardest way
Born into life for to battle the odds
They must be the children of the lesser gods

Of a better future he can only live in hope
He does seem so young to be struggling to cope
He has little if anything to feel happy about
In him a lack of self confidence gives rise to a lack of  worth and self doubt

Of those in poverty as teenagers success stories are few
And this is not saying anything that is new
At least he is one who has nothing to lose
But his is not the life any teenager would choose.

Good Health And Life

Feel grateful for every day you wake to see
Though you do not live as a stranger to poverty
You are better off living than in a hole in the ground
In darkness with earth under and above you and earth all around
You are in good health though financially down
One of the poorest people on your side of the town
The town's materially wealthiest man in a hospital bed dying
To say he would swap his life for your's would not be lying
A few more sunsets at most he will survive
All of his money will not keep him alive
In a few days from now he well may be dead
And of you better times may be ahead
He is too weak to go under another round of the surgeon's knife
And you have the two greatest gifts good health and life.

Alfie Cooney

Alfie Cooney is one who deserves his fame
Beyond his home in Rathcoole his is a well known name
For many years a Rathcoole Rovers player and Club Manager as well
Of Alfie so many good stories to tell

Cooney Park in Rathcoole where The Rovers their homes games do play
Has been Alfie's memorial for many a day
Far beyond Duhallow's green countryside
The Likeable Alfie is known far and wide

Though he retired from playing many Seasons ago
And time that ages everyone has become his foe
His devotion to the game he loves Alfie retain
A love that in him until death will remain

Alfie a man free of conceit or guile
Win or lose on the playing field he always could smile
In every town in Duhallow he is well known
And in Rathcoole they feel proud to claim him for their own

In his life's seventh decade of him one can say
He is a likeable fellow in his own charming way
Through the years in Duhallow his friends in numbers have grown
The likeable Alfie Cooney he is Rathcoole's own.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

If Not In All

There is room for improvement in most of us if not in all
And any self improvement is never too small
It is not what you do for yourself but what for others you do
That says more of the person that is really you
She or he far from a good person the multi millionaire
Who with those doing it tough does not wish for to share
Wealthy materially but of mind poverty
Their very existence is centered on the me
They are blessed in their gifts the compassionate and kind
Nearer to the higher self than most are with enlightenment of mind
For their future good Karma they plant the good seed
And of more of their sort the Human World is in need
If everyone embraced self improvement how great this would be
Not for themselves only but for all of humanity.

One Who Gets Carried Away

You may be quite excellent at what you do
And few if anyone is as proud as you
For to meet your equal one might have to travel far
But there are a few better than you are
With your successes you are one who gets carried away
But no shortage of people with over inflated egos in the World of today
Any humility in you it does seem is dead
Your praises by your admirers has gone to your head
Few on the summit of success their lifetime does stay
Far greater than you are financially struggling today
They once were among the admired of the town
But few wish to know of the financially down
Though nowadays your praises many do sing
As is said of fame it can be a fleeting thing.

July The First

In the blue sky just a few clouds of grey
For the first of July such a beautiful day
Even warmth in the sun in the park by the bay
Just so nice to be living in truth one can say
Though it is near mid Winter in this southern Land
A day like today by the gods must have been planned
The warbling of the magpies so pleasant to hear
On quite amazing weather for the time of year
From the recent Winter showers the parkland so green
And in the yellow blossoms on the wattle trees such beauty to be seen
Though frost overnight and the morning was cold
On Mother Earth in Winter sunshine great beauty to behold
Though at least eight weeks from the birth of the Spring
In the sunlit parkland the birds chirp and sing.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

On The Passing Of Betty Forde

Sad news to read of online today
Betty Forde from life has passed away
Born and raised in Direen near Millstreet Town
Sadly she has seen her last sundown

Of years perhaps close to the four score
She raised her children in Claramore
Blond and attractive in her physical prime
Though this in years is going back in time

One of the finest in her time in Millstreet
A down to earth person and nice for to meet
Twenty kilometres at least from her home countryside
In Ballyclough she grew old and in the Mercy University Hospital in Cork she died

Though physically she had known of far better years
She was one well worthy of parting tears
Her gift of life from her may well have gone
But in all who knew her good memories of her will live on

In Millstreet by Cashman's Hill in St Mary's her last remains lay
Not far from where she first saw the light of day
From life for all of us a final release
May Betty Forde forever rest in peace.

The Man Known As Grumpy

In life he did not have big dreams to pursue
But to his own self he was one who was true
The man known as grumpy was buried today
At peace with the World he forever lay

He never had children or a partner or wife
And he never had any close friend in his life 
And he never had a male friend though the judgmental of him did say
Since he does not have a woman he has to be gay

But those who knew him better say he was pure of mind
And despite his grumpy appearance he was one who was kind
He never refused help of one of helping in need
He was one who always did sow Karma's good seed

Though one seldom seen with a smile on his face
The good side of humanity he did embrace
On his seventy ninth year he breathed his last
In a massive heart attack death came to him fast

The one known to few and by few ever praised
Died in the house he was born in and raised
He is now in the grave where his mum and dad lay
The man known as grumpy was buried today.

Time As Is Said

He was a great athlete when in his life's prime
Though this is going back some four decades in time
Against the best 800 metres runners in the Country he did compete
Tall and lean and athletic he was quick on his feet

Back in the days when his hair was light brown
One of the admired young heroes of the town
But time as is saaid becomes everyone's foe
And going back the years this now seems long ago

Often see him in the park walking with his wife
Their grandchildren now are in the prime of life
The effects of a motor car accident on him does show
Nowadays his fastest walking pace is slow

The hair on his balding head is silver grey
Who would believe that looking at him today
That years ago at 800 metres he competed against and often beat the Country's best
And was never found to be wanting when put to the test

In his late sixties a champion athlete of the past
But few things in life ever does seem to last
And only the memories with him now remain
Of what used to be but will not be again.

Monday, July 20, 2020

On Seeing Greenfinches

For the time of year quite a pleasant day
Something of great beauty to take me far away
In a June afternoon breezy and bright
Perched on a wire paddock fence in the afternoon sunlight
A small flock of greenfinches a source for joy
I used to see the males when i was a boy
Above their breeding territories in April and May
Performing their butterfly like aerial courtship display
Three to eight white eggs with blackish markings in cup shaped nest on fork of tree
Of grass, moss and twigs lined with hair from the ground hard to see
From mid April in the north and all through May
The dullish green females are known to lay
Introduced into Australia from Lands far away
On seeing them bring back good memories to me today

Many Do Have To Lose

In a Human World where many have to lose for one for to win
They are a rare breed those who live free of sin
So few near to perfect would you not agree
The imperfections i see in others are the imperfections in me
You can only live as a person to be as good as you can be
Suppose to be flawed is part of our humanity
It is from the needs of the self that the ego is grown
And the one without ego to humanity is unknown
Though some have far more than enough of ego in the World to survive
And in the misfortune of others they do seem to thrive
The narcissisists of the Human World are no longer rare
Those that others have needs too are not aware
And though losing is something that anyone does not choose
For one to win big many do have to lose.

On Singing Honeyeaters

Often seen them on the coastal trees by Stingray Bay
Of light brown on head and back, yellow and white patches on cheek, brown tails and unders of streaked grey
Quite vocal for their size and they have a nice song
Once seen and once heard you never again get them wrong
Though not that fearful of humans they seem far from tame
Singing honeyeaters for them does seem an apt name
The female lays her eggs on outer fork of tree 
Of light pink with brown dots of two or three
They eat nectar on tree blossoms and tree insects as well
And apart from most other species they are not hard to tell
Quite distinctive birds with ways of their own
Throughout Australia they are widely known
On the coastal acacia trees by Stingray Bay
By people out walking they are seen and heard every day.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Could Not Care Less

It does not worry him his lack of material success
And he feels no desire others for to impress
You ask him what is his key to happiness
And he will tell you the name of it is could not care less

He has no desire for great wealth and fame
And Could Not Care Less for him is an apt nickname
In his late twenties without a partner or a wife and he is not a dad
He says to be healthy and living i feel grateful and glad

Of nights of passion he has known of a few
When one chooses to leave him he always finds someone new
Perhaps he will never have a long term partner or wife
Most young women like a man with ambition in their life

He is not the type most women with would spend a long stay
As he only works in casual jobs without big take home pay
Not good husband material and of him one can say
That he does not look at life in a serious way

His own praises you will never hear him sing
He is just happy in his mind and he does his own thing
He does have his own key to happiness
The fellow who is known as Could Not Care Less.

Since Trust Is A Thing

Since trust is a thing that must be shared by two
How can you trust your government they do not trust you
To them you are just one more misguided soul
Their biggest worry the next political poll
They may tell you for all of the Nation's people that they do care
But like many other voters you too must be aware
That on the sincerity in their words you must cast some doubt
It is the fear of losing personal power they only worry about
Do not trust your members of parliament since they only flatter to deceive
Bigger fool you if what they do tell you them you believe
With lying most politicians never have any problems they lack in the inner glow
Am i telling you something that you already know?
With you your local member of parliament mind games does play
Trust is a thing that goes more than one way.

Of Late Things In Life

Of late things in life have not been going your way
But your luck for the better can change in a day
Life is never a predictable thing
And who is to say what tomorrow will bring
You well may bemoan your lack of success
But you have the greatest gift anyone does possess
The great gift of life and where it is there is hope
And the good times to you may come if with the tough you can cope
At present not among the happy people of the town
Down on your luck and financially down
In a Human World where billions of people for success compete
In life every day some new challenge to meet
And your luck in life it can change overnight
Tomorror you may be smiling in delight.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

In Tatters

In his early seventies seems his power he has abused
Of sexual harassment he stands accused
By many beautiful young women their claims he does deny
He who administers the law the law too does apply
Though the case against him in numbers seem strong
The one who used to pass judgment claim he has not done any wrong
In court the one who often passed judgment on others too may have his day
The law he used to uphold on him will have the say
So many women claim them he did offend
In court his so called good reputation he may have to defend
Against his accusers and one has to suppose
That some who have powerful friends are not without foes
Whether the case against him in court is upheld or dismissed mud sticks as they say
That his so called good reputation is in tatters it does seem this way.

A Quiet And Shy Person

In his bed at night tears from his eyes down his face often flow
Of how it feels like to feel sad he is one who does know
He has lived with clinical depression for many years
An illness that cannot be cured by the shedding of tears

On doctor prescribed medication since before his physical prime
He is one who has suffered for quite a long time
He does not have children or a partner or wife
One with little for to celebrate in his life

In his two bedroom unit he lives on his own
A quiet and shy person to few he is known
One who does work hard for his livelihood pay
It has been years since he knew of a happy day

On doctor prescribed medication he often feels down
One of the loneliesst people on his side of the town
Though he has never been homeless or have had to sleep rough
One cannot say in life he has not known it tough

Quite an honourable person of him one can say
He minds his own business and lives in his own way
In his early fifties his best physical years long gone
But his love of life helps him for to live on.

Galahs

Familiar in their feathers of pink and grey
Parrots i see often though not every day
In small flock to flocks of one hundred sometimes near to two
Galahs known to some as pink and grey cockatoo
Quite pretty to look at with ways of their own
All over Australia they are widely known
High in a cavity in an old tree
The female lay white eggs of four sometimes three
Compared to most others cockatoos they have a pleasant sort of a song
Once seen and once heard you never again get them wrong
Sometimes see them eating grain spilt from trucks on the grass by roadway
Yet so much to be known about them in truth one can say
They eat leaf buds, roots, nuts, insects, seed and grain
And once seen and once heaard you will know them again.

Friday, July 17, 2020

I Too Have To Begin

A known fact of a better World to live in
With improvement in self i too have to begin
To be kinder to others and help anyone of helping in need
And of future good Karma plant the good seed
I should not be condemning the judgmental since i too am this way
We dislike in others what we see in ourselves only true to say
And though the praises of those into self promotion i refuse for to sing
Material self betterment to themselves they are only trying to bring
Since they never do any harm to me
Perhaps in my words i ought to leave them be
For the self centered Human World we live in others i should not blame
Since in many ways like them i too am the same
For a better World for all to live in with myself i must begin
Since the power to do good can only come from within.

One Does Wonder Why

Through different eyes difference we do see
What is beautiful to you may not be so to me
And what is great to me to you may seem ordinary
Our difference in our likes and dislikes makes us more interesting would you not agree?
What makes us different from each other is our individuality
If we all agreed on all things how boring we would be
The praises of individuality feel happy to sing
Different ideas and different thinking change for the better can bring
Though by many they may be looked upon as strange
It is usually the non tribal who instigate change
The people who from most look at life differently
Of ties to any tribe they do live quite free
Even those of similar thinking do not always see eye to eye
Why we all are so different one does wonder why?

True To My Calling

Do not care if mine is not a widely known name
Or if i am a stranger to any sort of literary fame
Any hope of literary success years ago from me did fade
Still every writer is needed in the wordsmith trade
It was my love of rhyme made a rhymer of me
And a rhymer is all that i do wish to be
For many years i have been a rhyming buff
And all i wish is for to write readable rhyming stuff
I used to love reading rhymes when i was a boy
And writing them nowadays i thoroughly enjoy
One who is not worthy of the title of poet
I feel no desire for any literary note
My best days in life in the forever gone
But true to my calling i keep rhyming on.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Such A Beautiful Memory

The lark was a musical speck in the sky
Above Clara on that sunny Sunday afternoon in early July
The tiny blue whortleberries of the heather in the mouth tasted sweet
Above the green countryside near the Town of Millstreet

Her wavy shoulder length dark hair and eyes blue as ripened sloes
She looked so attractive even in her casual clothes
My feelings of love for her then beyond me to explain
But such a beautiful memory a lifetime to retain

So happy and young free of conceit or guile
On her beautiful face such a beautiful smile
Smitten by her beauty near her physical prime
The memories remain over decades of time

A memory that remains as a source of joy
She was in her early twenties and i was a ten year old boy
Shortly after she left for the U  S of A
In my memory she remains as she was today

On the slopes of Clara Mountain a nice Summer breeze
On a sunny Sunday afternoon of over twenty degrees
We talked and laughed and eat whortleberries as we stood looking down
On the green countryside bordering Millstreet Town.

As Of Another Time

Though they are dismissed as of another time
The rhymers they never do run out of rhyme
What was popular in the past most literary critics agree
Has become the doggerel of the twenty first century
Today there are rhymers in every town
Who will never know of literary renown
Rhymers nowadays not seen to be worthy of any literary note
We are in the literary era of the non rhyming poet
To literature as in most things time with it change does bring
Of the praises of the novelist and the playwright and the blank verse poet the literary critics do sing
And rhyme is dismissed as a thing of the past
Few things as is known in time ever does last
Their sort used to be popular in Seasons long gone
Though true to their calling the rhymers rhyme on.

At The Shannaknock Cross

At the Shannaknock Cross by the Millstreet- Rathmore roadway
No Irish travellers horse drawn vans for to be seen today
They have not parked there since the late nineteen fifties that now seems long ago
And of the children back then time has become the foe

The sharp increase in motorized vehicles to their horse drawn vans brought an end
To old ways as is known time is never a friend
By motorized vehicles from then on the travellers did travel around
Though in twenty first century Ireland in large numbers they do not abound

Their favourite type of horses were pinto mostly white and brown
That they bought and sold at horse fairs in many an Irish town
Even the horse fairs in Ireland today in the few
That most things lose out to time is not saying what is new

By their campfires at night when i was a boy
Listening to their songs and music i used to enjoy
But few things as they were ever seem to stay
A very different Country to live in the Ireland of today

Yes a different Ireland nowadays than the Ireland that used to be
At the Shannaknock Cross Irish Travellers and their horses and vans one does not see
And only the memories now does remain
Of what used to be but will not be again.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

You Only Can Be

You only can be the best that you can be
And remain honest in your dealings and treat others respectfully
And always give everyone the respect they are due
And to your higher self try to remain as true
And try not to be judgmental as some people are
And though on the ladder of material success you may not have climbed far
The good things for others in your day to day life you do
Than the good you do for yourself says more of you
Since those who only seek their own gain in a selfish way
Are further from their higher selves than those who perform good deeds every day
You are not being the best you can be though you are a multi millionaire
If only with your family and close friend some of your financial gains you do share
And though on the material ladder of success you may have climbed far
This does not tell us of the sort of person that you really are.

He Is One Who Knows Of

He is one who knows of life in Earthly Hell
For many years he has been mentally unwell
Except for his mother who loves him he does not have another love in his life
He may never know of the love of a partner or a wife
A kind and caring person in his own gentle way
For himself he never has that much to say
In his late thirties just past his physical prime
He has not known of a happy day for quite a long time
One of the sad people on his side of the town
Life is never easy on the mentally down
On doctor prescribed medication to help him contend with his dark moods of despair
Though he is one who never says life can be unfair
With a sad look on his face few happy days of he has known
Often see him walking in the park always on his own.

We Take And Take From Her

Like all life forms without her we just could not live
Yet we take and take from her and in return to her little give
And for her hidden treasures dig huge holes in her ground
In the twenty first century among humanity greed does abound
For the Earth that feeds all of us so few seem to care
She is the one who creates every billionaire
With her others life forms few of us wish to share
Destruction of natural habitat due to human greed is no longer rare
Though for our very survival on her we depend
Most of us humans do not treat our Earth Mother as our greatest friend
To abuse the one we depend on to live seems quite silly indeed
Of far more human friends Mother Earth is in need
We take and take from her and in return to her little give
Yet she is the one that we depend on to live.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Where Years Ago

Where years ago to many mine was a known face
Today i would be a stranger in my first homeplace
Claraghatlea near Millstreet Town where i first saw light of day
Years ago the yearn for wander did lure me far away
From the old fields just west by the Rathmore road from Millstreet
In the green countryside where the waterways meet
Where i grew to love Nature as a young boy
And learning of her ways today i enjoy
Of this place of koala, echidna, wallaby and grey kangaroo
And emu, long billed corella and yellow tailed black cockatoo
I only have memories of the what used to be
And in fancy the bracken clad face of Clara i see
Like a sentinel of Duhallow ever looking down
On the green countryside and the homes of Millstreet Town.

Her Wonders Are Many

Her wonders are many and her secrets not few
And of Nature every day we learn something new
Yet the more we learn of her the more we realize 
That of her we know little this not a surprise
The food that we lives on she helps our Earth Mother to grow
Yet little respect to her so few of us show
Mother Earth her partner to satiate our greed we abuse
For our sins against Nature and our Earth Mother there is no excuse
Due to destruction by us humans of their natural habitat many of Nature's creatures are becoming rare
And too few of us sad to say seem environmentally aware
Nature and her partner Mother Earth of more human friends are in need
By our abuse of them of our own extinction we may be sowing the seed
For our abuse of Nature and Mother Earth future generations of human beings may have to pay
And this is a sad thing for to have to say.

High On The Tall Trees

High on the tall trees in day's fading light
They do a lot of cawing before settling in for the night
On their roosting trees at the end of their day
One wonders to each other what do they have to say?
Of their intelligence there is not any doubt
One wonders with each other what would they be talking about?
Some believe when crows are in a talkative mood
That they may be telling their friends of new spots to find food
At twilight on their roosting trees they caw when they meet and each evening it is the same
One wonders do they know each other by name?
Many claim them to be Nature's cleverest birds with ways of their own
Yet so much about them remains to be known
At twilight on their roosting trees by the old country town
The crows are cawing loudly just after sundown.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Of The What Used To Be

In years just seven short of my fourth score
I may never again climb on Claramore
And enjoy the views of the green countryside
Of Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra that stretch far and wide
Far beyond Millstreet Parish and beyond Rathmore and Knocknagree
And well into east Kerry as far as the eyes can see
Today the old memories remain evergreen
Of the beautiful sights that i have seen
When i was much younger decades ago
Time that rusts iron has become my foe
All i have are the memories of the what used to be
Mental pictures of natural beaauty that i did see
This is all today i have to retain
Of the what used to be but may not be again.

It Never Does Fail

It never does fail to bring joy to your day
When others of you do have nice things to say
It is even as good for your self esteem as a raise in your pay
It makes you believe in life things are going your way
But those who instil in you some doubt of your self worth in your mind
By saying of you words that are unkind
Are not helping you in your self belief it does seem
And are not doing anything for your sense of self esteem
The need for to be loved is such a natural thing
A sense of self worth to the praised one it never fails for to bring
But the one in her or his words who deliberately puts you down
Will never become your best friend of the town
Yes it never does fail to bring joy to your day
When others of you do have nice things to say.

Nature's Compostors

They hide in heaps of old timber well hidden away
The insects that do live on Nature's decay
Known as slaters or woodlice and of them it would be true to say
That they feel secure when hidden from the light of day
Of their value to Nature few seem to realize
Dark grey they look crawling armadillos of minute size
Though they are friends of Nature as all environmentalists and scientists agree
They are not protected by any government decree
In a heap of wood  or under bark of old decaying tree
Hidden from daylight they feel safe as can be
As at hurrying on decay they work tirelessly
Though billions of them die in fires every day
As friends of Nature their part they does play
On breaking down rotting timber they lessen the impact of bushfires on the ground
As Nature's compostors in large numbers they abound.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Far Beyond The Planets

Humans have walked on the surface of the moon
And a visit to Mars in their planning for soon
Though they do not yet have a vaccine for COVID-19
People have died in their thousands from a killer that cannot be seen
And though money speaks every language as we have been told
The wealthy like the poor eventually grow old
And like the poor too have a last night and day
We are born to die life works in this way
And though many human achievements are to say the least great
With all other life forms we share a common fate
In that we are born into life to eventually die
Earthly mortality for human beings is based on a lie
Though there may be a World for good souls somewhere beyond the stars
Far beyond the Planets of  Jupiter and Venus and Mars.

The Joy Of Children

The joy of children at play in the park of the town
They laugh as they chase the football up and down
Though the sun behind grey clouds is hidden away
So pleasant the laughter of children at play
It brings back the memories of years ago
Long before time it did become my foe
With my boyhood friends i too played football
Good memories are always a joy to recall
But few things in life ever does seem to last
The youthful years did seem to go so fast
The children i played with like me are ageing today
Youth is a thing with anyone that does not stay
Children playing football in the town park today
Wake in me the memories of my youth far away.

Hares

Hares unlike rabbits do not live in burrows in the ground
And unlike rabbits in large numbers do not abound
To escape from predators they depend on their speed and dodging skill
And they can move quite fast even when running uphill

The female hare gives birth to four fully developed leverets two or three times a year
That their young become self sufficent quite quickly is obviously clear
In different parts of their territory their mother hides them in long grass well out of sight
And individually comes to them for to suckle milk from her in the darkness of night

The shrill cries of a dying hare mauled by greyhounds is not pleasant to hear
In coursing parks many of them die every year
Nowadays park coursing greyhounds are muzzled which is a big improvement just the same
Netting of hares for park coursing will never have a good name

Some hares do live up to twelve years old
And many stories of them have been written and told
Shy creatures for their survival they rely on their dodging skills and speed
One can say of them they are quite amazing indeed.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

In This Human World

In this Human World where the judgmental are not rare
Too few of us of our own shortcomings seem aware
When i criticize the flaws in others i do see 
I am overlooking the blemishes that are living in me

For to make the Human World a better World to live in
With my own self i have got to begin
It is not the good i do for myself but for others i do
But in this respect what applies to me also applies to you

It is so easy in words for to put others down
The judgmental are not rare in any village, city or town
And these are the people some choose to admire
Though self betterment in others they do not inspire

It is the non judgmental and selfless in their own kind way
Who help people in need of helping every day
Without the expectation of recognition or pay
For the betterment of humanity their own part they does play

Too few of us the good in others do not wish to see
And in our thinking on some do seem quite ordinary
But those who criticize those doing it tough in some of their ways are small
For a fair go for some is not a fair go for all.

Moses Fifth Commandment

Moses fifth commandment states thou shalt not kill
But does not say anything about wishing on others ill
Suppose in this case it is the actions not the words that constitutes the sin
Though it is often from thoughts deeds good or bad begin
Many people Moses commandments never do obey
Every day Worldwide people are dying in the foulest way
And many are serving many years of jail time
For what is humanity's worst sort of crime
If someone wishes to harm you they most certainly can
Anyone can if they wish to in a foul way shorten your life span
People for murder imprisoned every day
For such a crime the price can be huge for to pay
It is not breaking Moses fifth commandment any murderer fear
But the penalty that is for it is obviously clear.

It Is Something All Australians

It is something all Australians ought to celebrate
Australia's first people their history is great
That the descendants of the first people are living today
Is something worth celebrating only true to say
For thousands of years their ancestors have lived in this great southern Land
That colonization for them has not been an asset not hard to understand
Sad to think in the recent past their human rights to them were denied
In some of the European history in Australia thus far not much in to feel pride
Though as second class citizens in many instances they do remain
The honour of Australia's first people they will always retain
Not hard to blame those of them who do not celebrate Australia Day
Which marks the arrival to their Country of people from Lands far away
Australia's first people we ought to admire
And of singing their praises i for one cannot tire.

Friday, July 10, 2020

Regret At Words Spoken

The things you remember and wish to forget
The moments in your life you have lived to regret
Memories of guilt of words spoken that in time does last
We cannot change but only can learn from the past
Words that cost you a good friendship and relationship that ended in tears
The regret of your error has lived in you for years
Too late to realize to a dear former friend you had not been nice
For ill chosen words to pay there is always a price
And for this in guilt of mind you does pay
A guilt that perhaps will be with you until your last living day
At the time sorry you could not bring yourself for to say
For to humble yourself pride did get in your way
Regret at words spoken that in you does stay
And may be with you until your last living day.

Born To Die

Us humans like all mortals born to die
That death is for everyone is not a lie
The monarch and president will die one day
On everyone's life death has the final say
Great religious leaders who claim to know god
Are only mortals like the poor and downtrod
Eventually life's reaper will come reaping your way
Only earthworms live where dead people lay
Of life for the soul after bodily death ask one more enlightened than me
Only know we are born to die eventually
And this as a truism ever remain
Though cannot say after bodily death if the soul will live again
Only know that us humans are born to die
Like all other life forms and this not a lie.

I Am From A Place

I am from a place by old hills far away
Where i have not been to for many a day
I have not seen the Boggeraghs for thirty four years
Yet for the what was i have shed my last tears
Those i went to school with are ageing today
And some from their first homes living far away
And some where the dead are at peace now do lay
With any one person youth never does stay
I left the old fields the bigger World to see
Though i now realize the old fields they did not leave me
In fancy i often walk to where the waterways meet
In the green countryside near the Town of Millstreet
But only the memories now does remain
Of the what was for me that will not be again.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Quite A Lot To Admire

He is not one who does have uni degrees
And he is not one any time he cough or sneeze
To seem embarrassed and say pardon me
Not refined in his ways is how he seems to be

He is not a member of any community or social club
And he drinks on his own in the local pub
And since he is not tribal on any way at all
He never talks sports or politics or football

Not well known or popular on his side of the town
But of those in need of helping he never turns down
For his every good deed he never seeks any money or praise
Some times those passed off as ordinary can truly amaze

The judgmental who dismiss him as a loser to his goodness seem blind
Than they are he is less judgmental and far more compassionate and kind
As every day he does sow Karma's good seed
He never shuns anyone of his help in need

Not into socializing or politics or sport
He works hard for his pay his wife and children to support
To be part of a tribe he does not feel any desire
Yet in him there is quite a lot to admire.


An Ageing Migrant

Four score and four years of time a lengthy span
Far north of here he grew into a man
On his balding head the hair grey that used to be brown
He may die far south of his first hometown
Many times a great grand-dad his wife of fifty six years
Her death last Summer reduced him to tears
Devoted to him until her last breath in life
They lived as a happily married husband  and wife
Of happier days in life he is one who has known
In his two bedroom unit he lives on his own
Born and raised in Lindau in Bavaria in Germany
Though fluent in English he retains the accent of his original Country
Quite a nice old fellow in his gentle way
He walks on his own in the park every day.

I Will Keep Rhyming On

It is something i just enjoy doing every day
Without the rewards of monetary pay
I have penned so many of them over decades of time
Just one of those people who loves writing rhyme
I have no wish for mine to become a well known literary name
And i feel no dessire for any sort of fame
Three score and thirteen years time catching up on me
I wrote my first rhymes in nineteen seventy three
I loved reading them when i was a boy
And writing them nowadays i thoroughly enjoy
One who will never know of literary note
I just leave it to others their title of poet
My best days in life in the forever gone
But for as long as i can do i will keep rhyming on.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Australian Magpies

The warbling flute like notes always pleasant to hear
Of the birds who do sing every day of the year
Crow sized black and white  birds who are in reality piping shrike
The Australian magpies do not have a look alike
In untidy saucer type of nest lined with grass high on a tree
The female lay brown spotted bluish eggs never more than three
At breeding time they are very aggressive in defense of their territory
And they even attack and swoop humans regularly
With quite a distinctive warbling flute like song
Once seen and once heard you never again get them wrong
They do have a huge range Australia wide
And they live in town parks and in the countryside
Birds i hear and see many times every day
Familiar Australians of them one can say.

Wise Words Of A Wise One

Wise words of a wise one of the long ago
The one without a friend can be one without a foe
And the one with many friends is one not without an enemy
This is how it was and it is and how it always will be
The enemy of my enemy is a friend to me
That this does not need an explanation would you not agree?
Some things from the past with us does stay
And remain as relevant in the Human World of today
In a Human World where billions of people for every form of success compete
You cannot like everyone every day you do meet
The one with many friends is not short of foes
Human relationships work in this way one does have to suppose
The one without a friend may well not have a foe
Wise words of a wise one of the long ago.

From The Cliffs Of The Foreshore

From the cliffs of the foreshore overlooking the sea
You are looking at what the coastal land first people centuries ago did see
Ocean views despite the advancement of technology
That has not changed it would seem from century to century
Though they looked at life and the World from us in a different way
The coastal first people looked on what you look on today
From the foreshore cliffs they sensed their gods to them were nearby
On the ocean horizon where the sea meets the sky
A scene that has inspired the artists and writers of song, story and rhyme
That remains as unchanged through the centuries of time
Long before the arrival of explorers on ships from Lands far away
From the foreshore cliffs the coastal Lands first people looked on what you look on today
And the huge white waves crash on the rocks of the shore
In a sound from the past that is forever more.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Get Rid Of

Get rid of these titles Sir, Lord , Lady and Dame
Since they are linked to royalty and do not treat all people as the same
And get rid of royal titles since what use are royals anyway
They are born into privilege and never have to work for their pay

Death makes us equal to life we are born by chance
People should not have privilege due to birth circumstance
They are the linchpin of rank and class distinction humanity of them not in need
Since red is the blood we all shed when we bleed

Get rid of dictatorial leaders and their governments they cause so much distress
The poor of their Countries they only oppress
Far too many politicians become obsessed with their power
They are like the weeds of the garden that stifle every flower

That there is so much poverty in the Human World does not make for good sense
Get rid of every government that favour the wealthy at poor people's expense
Make the weaalthy pay their fair share of taxes which they never do
What applies to working for wages people should apply to them too

We should honour the people whose names will never be on a memorial wall
A fair go for the privileged and wealthy and famous is not a fair go for all
It is the upholders of class distinction and social rank
For the wrongs of the Human World that we have to thank.

A Story Of Success

He is one that life on has been rather tough
Know on how it feels like to be hungry and on how it feels like to sleep rough
Due to an abusive father homeless at sixteen
Some tough times he is one who has known of and seen
On his twenty sixth year with a home to live in and a wife and baby son
One can say of him how well he has done
With a steady job he earns an honest pay
To make a success of his life he has done it in the hard way
One who has known of hungry times on poverty street
At a young age with tough challenges he is one who did meet
As a homeless teenager on the poor side of the town
There is some truth in the saying a good one cannot be kept down
For making a success of his life credit is his due
That fortune favours the brave remains ever true.

On Olive Backed Orioles

Reddish bills and brown streaks on white unders and back, wings, head and tail mostly green
Birds i know of  but have not often seen
Birds migratory in their habits they do travel far
And are often to be seen where fruit bearing trees are
On bulky type of cup nest of bark and fibre high on outer branch of tree
The female lay white brown dotted eggs of four two or three
Not the predatory type of birds who hunt for their meat
Mostly berries and other fruit they do like to eat
They have a beautiful and distinctive flute liike cheerful song
And as migratory to any one place they do not belong
In the wood in Selby years ago them i did hear and see
Singing and nest building in their breeding territory
The olive backed orioles with ways of their own
Quite pretty to look at and nice to listen to but not that well known.

Monday, July 6, 2020

How Great It Would Be

If of racism. narcissism and xenophobia humanity was free
How marvellous to live in such a World would be
In a World where might is based on military power
These are just like three species of weeds of the garden that stifle every flower

A World without war would be great to live in
For harmony and peace among people it would be a huge win
Of leaders who wage war for power over others of the Human World is not in need
Their machevillian behaviuor has it's source in personal greed

How great it would be to live in a World without poverty
That does have strong links to human inequality
The side effects of class distinction found in the social divide
That remain as prevalent in Countries Worldwide

How great it would be a Human World without the need for material success
That leads to our desire others for to impress
But human spirituality cannot thrive only true for to say
In a Human World where so many for material success compete with each other every day

For a better World to live in with improvement in self we begin
We can become the instigators of a better World for all to live in 
For love and tolerance, compassion and kindness have their sources in respect
And when practiced  by many can have a ripple effect.


Our Young Years

Our young years our best years and every year past our physical prime
Our bodies begin to show the wear of time
But you cannot put a young head on old shoulders as they do say
For our life experiences in years lived we do pay
The longest lived human life in real time not a long span
Three score and ten the average a few years more for a woman than it is for a man
It has been said that wisdom does come with age
But not every ageing woman or man is a sagess or sage
Everyone do grow older but few do grow wise
Some young people too have wisdom one does come to realize
Though it is to ageing people life's experience mostly belong
A minority of younger people this theory has proven wrong
Our younger years our physical best years as a fact does remain
But from ageing most people life experience do gain.

On Silver Gulls

In car parks by Australian beaches birds one does see every day
Of red bills, red legs and overall silver grey
They squabble over scraps of food picknickers throw away
Of a scavenger nature but pretty to look at one can say
To be rather plentiful is their one claim to fame
Silver gulls for them is their apt common name
That they are Nature's survivors none can deny
With the passing of the Seasons their numbers seem to multiply
Of the presence of humans they have lost most of their fear
And to where people are eating they are always near
In expectation of thrown out food for them to eat
Bits of bread, bits of fish, potato chips or scraps of meat
Around rubbish tips flocks of them one often does see
Australia's most populous members of the gull family.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

On Hindsight As Is Said

On hindsight as is said it is easy to be wise
And we learn from our mistakes one does come to realize
We do learn from life as we live every day
That we never stop learning does seem true to say
And a fact of our existence and fact never lie
Is the longer you live the sooner you will die
And what you do for yourself says less about you
Than the good things for others that you choose to do
Those who do help others of their help in need
For their future good Karma are planting the seed
As they are the people who do firmly believe 
That in life we must give if we wish to receive
Live and let live and give to all their due
If to an honourable existence you wish to remain true.

As you Possibly Can

The lifetime of the World's oldest people in real time not a long span
So live for as long as you possibly can
Live for there may not be a life for your soul when you draw your last living breath
It may well die in you in your bodily death
There may not be a World somewhere beyond the sky
For souls  post bodily death with wings for to fly
To when life's reaper comes reaping your way
Since for all of us there is this last night and day
Any deceased person has not yet come back to tell
Of an afterlife for the soul or of a heaven or hell
Feel grateful if you have good health and keep on living on
You will be forever dead when life's breath from you has gone
The longest lived human life in time not a long span
So live for as long as you possibly can.

On Short Beaked Echidnas

Short beaked echidnas or spiny anteaters scientifically classisfied as monotreme
Along with other echidna and platypus are egg laying mammals strange as this may seem
With their sharp front claws they dig for ants in the ground
Always on their own in large numbers they  never abound
With spines for protection like the Eurasian hedgehog but not related in any way
Since hedgehogs give birth to live young and eggs never lay
The echidnas when under threat partly bury themselves with their sharp spines sticking out
And the attacker is usually deterred with a bloodied painful snout
In the warmth of their pouch their one egg gives forth life and to a young echidna grow
And to dig for ants and insects the only life of they will come to know
In Winter they hibernate for a few months underground from the cold
And they have an average of a ten year life span in their wild state which is not very old
Quite beautiful slow moving creatures but rather timid and shy
Echidnas or spiny anteaters are the names they are known by.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Independence Day 2020

July the fourth in the U S is Independence Day
But Americans have little to celebrate in truth one can say
Since they are leading the World in deaths due to COVID-19
One of the World's great super powers better days has seen
To be leading the World in COVID-19 deaths is nothing to brag about
The self assurance felt by most Americans has given way to self doubt
A virus in the naked eyes that cannot be seen
That is known as Corona Virus or COVID-19
Has reduced the people of a great and celebrated Nation to worry and fear
That there is no such a thing as a superior race is quite obviously clear
On COVID-19 deaths they lead the way
But nothing to boast of in this for the U S of A
For them things will get better one only can say
To all Americans a happy Independence Day.

Most Long Term Migrants

Most long term migrants do retain a strong sense of place
Where to many today their's may not be a known face
Though content today in the place or town they live in
They often think of where their life's journey for them did begin
Call it patriotism or nostalgia or call it what you may
In most migrants love of first homeplace does stay
Though they have not been to there for many years
And for what used to be have long shed their last tears
Memories of original families and friends today they retain
And in their visualizations they go home again
Of the what used to be only thoughts in them last
And in memory they only can go to the past
But of where they were born and raised the mental images do stay
And will be with them until their last night and day.

Millstreet's Shane Browne

One well loved by many in old Millstreet Town
The likeable character known as Shane Browne
Though in the twenty first century his sort becoming a rare breed
Every town in the World of a few like him in need

On his forty seventh year a good pitch and putt player and a veteran athlete
He is one of those people who just loves to compete
Though not born and raised in Millstreet where he is loved and well known
Most like to claim him there as one of their own

For worthy causes one who carries the flag
Fifty blood donations to his credit well worthy of a brag
For anyone for to do this is a selfless thing
His praises for this do not feel shy to sing

Born and raised in Tramore in Waterford and of Waterford Gaelic Footballers and Hurlers a devoted fan
But for being loyal to his County in sports one cannot blame the man
Even the most ardent Cork G A A supporter in Millstreet for this Shane can forgive
And him for his loyalty to his County colours have learned with for to live

In him Tramore's loss has become Millstreet's gain
And in the Town in view of Clara hope he does remain
Every town in the World needs a few like Shane Browne
His sort never leave their community down.

Friday, July 3, 2020

The Old Mountain Roadway

The old mountain roadway winds up and down
That links Rathmore in Sliabh Luachra to Duhallow's Millstreet Town
Along by Clara and Gortavehy  with the face of stone
And by high and rugged Caherbarnagh on towards the Paps of  Shrone
Through a mountainy countryside where despite human industrialization natural beauty survive
A nice road for to travel on for a scenic drive
Along by the Boggeragh Ranges that are so old in time
That have inspired the writers of  song, story and rhyme
Of a beauty that was old when the first people arrived in the Land known as Ireland today
Such natural beauty with who witness it a whole lifetime does stay
Where the Counties of Cork and of Kerry do meet
On the mountain road towards Rathmore from the Town of Millstreet
Such a beautiful memory a lifetime to retain
In moments of nostalgia for to visit again.

Since Very Few Do know Of

Since very few do know of enduring fame
For most it can be like a flickering flame
That dies in the frost of a cold Winter's night
Hours before the dawning of morning's grey light
Admired by the masses but lacking in the inner glow
Many of the wealthy and famous of happiness does not know
Though millions admire them and their praises do sing
Happiness to them fame did fail for to bring
Since happiness is a thing that cannot be bought or sold
It does not have a price on it of money or gold
It can be said of she or he that they are rare
The contented of mind known billionaire
The words of a wise one worthy of recall
That those you think have everything do not have it all.

Love Is A Thing

Love is a thing that must be shared by two
Seems hard to love one who does not love you
Few until death remain as husband and wife
Their love for each other did not last for life
The love of most mothers for their children a lifetime remain strong
A form of love that to true love belong
Though the love between a minority of mothers and their children a lifetime does not remain
Even this bond does break when under severe strain
That there are many forms of love seems true for to say
Some last a whole lifetime and some quick to fade away
But those old words of wisdom worthy of recall
Better to know of love and lose than never know of love at all
It can end in tears what begins with a kiss
But when in full bloom it can be earthly bliss.

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos

These big dark brown parrots of humans quite shy
Do call out 'wee yu' as in small flocks they fly
Though some do refer to them as the weerloos 
They are better known as yellow tailed black cockatoos

In a cavity in a tall old tree from view well hidden away
Generally one large white egg the female bird lay
Their low breeding rate the reason their numbers by the years do not multiply
That Nature works in it's own way one cannot deny

Yellow tailed black cockatoos have a healthy appetite
Dark seeds from pine cones and seeds frome hakea nuts are in their diet
As well as grubs they find under bark of older tree
Which to their taste buds is a delicacy

With yellow on either cheek and some yellow on tail but mostly mottled dark brown
They are sometimes seen in the park of a country town
From other cockatoos in voice and appearance different with ways of their own
To birds watchers and bird fanciers they are well known

They never flock with other species among their own kind they stay
Birds i see often though not every day
These big dark brown parrots of human kind shy
Wee yu wee yu they call out as they fly.

Leave It To Others

Leave it to others to praise you if praise is your due
As self praise is no praise remains ever true
Nowadays self promotion does seem an in thing
So many their own praises willing to sing
So many their own selves like to celebrate
The ego is not a hard thing to inflate
In the twenty first century narcissism is on the rise
Suppose in the age of advanced technology this is not a surprise
Those into the promotion of the self  it seems true to say
From their higher selves are the furthest away
The humble of mind may becoming more rare
Yet of the needs of others they do seem aware
Those of singing their own praises who never seem to tire
Are not the sort of people that i do admire.

Red Wattlebirds

Not pleasant to listen to the hoarse song they were born with to sing
In every garden in their range with flowering trees their voices a familiar thing
Birds you will know again when them you see and hear
Red wattlebirds their name as they have visible red wattles hanging from under either ear
Of humans they show a respectable fear
And their coughing like calls can be heard at anytime of year
Thrush sized birds with red eyes and slightly curved long thin bills and mostly speckled brown
They even visit the flowering trees in the parks of the town
In a saucer type nest of twigs on fork of branch of tree
The female lay pink spotted eggs of two or three
Honeyeaters to follow their food source they do travel far
And you will always see and hear them where lots of insects and flowering trees are
Birds that will never be famed for their song
But once seen and once heard you will never again get them wrong.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The Bellowing Bull

Last night the bull in the paddock nearby for a few hours kept me awake
He kept bellowing on until the grey of daybreak
And since to bellow at he does not have a neighbour bull
Perhaps the reason for his bellowing is that the moon it was full
If the moon effects some people then it must affect animals in some sort of a way
Since i never do hear him bellowing by day
But for keeping me awake for a few hours last night him i do not blame
Since most animals in their behaviour feel no sense of shame
If your neighbours are playing loud music about it to them you can complain
But complaining to a bull any satisfaction from him you will not gain
Today he is quite with his cows chewing his cud he does lay
I never do hear him bellow by day
Perhaps the moon does affect him in some sort of a way
As he bellowed all night until the break of day.

Quite Bleak Overall

In Australia feral cats and foxes have pushed many small species of wildlife to extinction brink
That because of them many species have become endangered so sad of to think
That this never makes news headlines only true to say
That wildlife are not seen as important in the World of today
To the few who speak out for the preservation of wildlife great credit is due
On so doing to their higher selves they are only being true
Millions of birds and small animals being slaughtered by cats and foxes every year
That many small creatures need protection from introduced predators is obviously clear
Due to the destruction of natural habitat for development as well as climate change wild creatures are doing it tough
For their survival with these things to contend with ought to be enough
And add to this the mass slaughter by predators makes their struggle for survival harder by far
Small animal and bird numbers are dwindling where introduced predators are
Little hope in Australia in their wild state for birds and creatures that are small
The future for them looks quite bleak overall.

In The Minority

I was not one born to life for to fight in a war
Though from where i first saw light of day in distance i live far
I do not wish to treat as my enemy
People who never have done any harm to me

I look on most twenty first century ways of living and thinking to many differerently
Which suppose places me in the minority
Over promotion of self to me to narcissism belong
And not true love of self but self love gone wrong

The humble achiever nowadays is a thing of the past
But then few things in human life ever does seem to last
Suppose it is hard to remain humble when many laud you as a great
The ego is not that hard for to inflate

In the age of the internet over promotion of the self is on the rise
A reason for the rise in narcissistic behaviour one does come to realize
There has always been narcissistic people but their numbers on the increase of late
So many their own selves love to celebrate

Of their patriotic love of Country patriots may love to brag
Far too many have died for the love of a flag
But the egotistical people who start war in wars never die
And that most political leaders are narcissistic is not telling a lie.