There Are Winners And Losers

 The ex president unhappy due to his loss of power

And the potato farmer disappointed his potato crop slow to flower

For a profitable Season his potatoes will be too small

For him it will not be a good financial Fall

The young man is lovelorn since the love of his life

Has ended their affair and will not be his wife

Sad faced in the pub he sups on his beer

And does not join his mates in the banter and cheer

The sports fan is not feeling happy at all

At the weekend his team lost in their game of football

After each loss with him it is the same

He does not seem to realize it is only a game

The sixty year old grandfather seems quite close to tears

The woman who was his wife for many years

Has found new love in a far younger man

And with her ageing ex will not live out her life span

There are winners and losers in the World every day

Suppose life is designed for to work in this way

And though losing is something anyone does not choose

For winners there has to be those who do lose.

No Matter What You Achieve

 No matter what you achieve in life you eventually will die

A fact of our existence and fact never lie

That some people are irreplaceable is a whole pile of bull

Of their sort the cemeteries of the World are full

Everyone is replaceable despite what some think or say

Famous and wealthy people are dying in the World every day

And though money is important it cannot keep you alive

In a hearse to the cemetery you have your last drive

And though money is quite important it is not everything

Like the bird who will have a last song to sing

For all of us there will be a last Spring

And we will not hear the funeral bell when for us it will ring

The last breath of life from many so called irreplaceable people has gone

But life in the World without them goes on.

You Get What You Pay For

 You get what you pay for in truth one can say

He bought a second hand tricycle for his young son the other day

Off of a second hand dealer he bought it without a guarantee

Financial lessons in life do never come free

In life you get what you pay for is seldom proven wrong

The second hand tricycle with his son did not last long

The front wheel buckled on it and it would cost too much to repair

He thought he had bought a bargain buy but bargains are rare

A lesson in life that with him will remain

He will not be buying a second hand tricycle from a second hand dealer again

The next time he will buy a new tricycle for his son that comes with a guarantee

No free lessons in life is how it seems to be

For double the money he paid  for the second hand tricycle he could have bought one that is new

The second hand bargains in business are few.

Mary Ambrose

 Such sad news out of Millstreet to learn of late

A woman a better World to live in who did help to create

Mary Ambrose nee Dunne from life has passed away

In St Mary's cemetery at peace she now lay

In Millstreet Town she lived for the most of her life

To her daughter Patricia a good mother and to her late gentleman husband Edward Ambrose a good wife

She lived for many years in Murphy's Terrace near Millstreet Town

To be a good living person her just claim to renown

Mary was a person well advanced in years

But her parting from life would not have gone without tears

To an old history in Millstreet Town the Dunne family one can trace

Where to many her's was a known and loved face

But good memories of her will outlive this simple rhyme

And will live in all who knew her for their lifetime.

As Life Forms Of Mother Earth

 As life forms of Mother Earth us Humans to Nature belong

But on our treatment of our Earth Mother the one who does feed us we have got it all wrong

And what we do to the Earth to our own selves we do

This is how i do see it whatever about you

For our greed for Mother Earth's resources Nature's creatures must pay

More natural habitat for wildlife being bulldozed every day

By the workers of wealthy developers to satiate their greed

Of more human friends our Earth Mother is in need

For to build more factories and houses in the heavily populated town

More land is being cleared and more trees are being cut down

In a World where many people grow poorer for the wealthy few

That Nature's creatures are losing out is not saying what is new

The one who does feed us due to our greed her and her creatures we are trying to destroy

This the price of human progress is not a cause for joy.

Wildlife Are Becoming Rare

 For many years environmentalists have been aware

That in all parts of the World wildlife are becoming rare

Due to the destruction of  their habitat by humans and Global Warming that gives rise to Climate Change

Even some species are becoming rarer that used to be common in their range

Due to the thinning of the ice in the Arctic polar bears nowadays are few

That they are heading for extinction is not saying what is new

In parts of their range the great Siberian tigers have not been seen for years

Yet for the disappearing wildlife no Worldwide shedding of tears

A World without wild creatures in it in time may not be far away

And this seems a sad thing for to have to say

The World is for us humans to live in and with other life forms space for to share

But of our own needs far too many of us only seem aware

More species being added to the endangered list with every new day

And in this us human beings a huge part does play.

Eileen Moynihan

 Though in all who knew her good memories of her will remain

Eileen Moynihan in the flesh will not be seen in Ballydaly again

Pre-deceased by her husband Tim she raised a large family

Who will grieve her passing how sad life can be

A good mother to her children and to the late Tim Moynihan a good wife

Eileen she did have her crosses in life

In St Mary's in Millstreet she is at peace today

Where many of the deceased of the Parish at rest forever lay

A person well worthy of life's farewell tears 

She had lived in Ballydaly for decades of years

One can say her heart was in the right place

Gone from Ballydaly one more well loved face

Her heart that beat with kindness is forever still

In the cemetery in view of Cashman's Hill.

An Infatuation With The Me

 Narcissism is an infatuation with the me

And their sort are not rare is how it seems to be 

There are many of them Worldwide in the twenty first century

And they are not a credit to humanity

So many nowadays their own praises do sing

The promotion of self with many has become an in thing

And that self praise is no praise as a truism remain

The meaning in this it's own self does explain

Since they are the people who for the betterment of humanity who plant the good seed

Of more compassionate and selfless people the Human World is in need

Far too many narcissistic people in the World of today

And they are not for the good of humanity in truth one can say

That we are living in the age of the self not a lie

Far too many only live for the me and the i.

A January Morning In Kanturk

 The Allow bank high in flood waters of brown

Flows with a loud babble through old Kanturk Town

In the cold and windy morning of a January day

Towards the Blackwater River raging on it's way

In weather temperatures just above zero degrees

The cold wind is soughing in the bare deciduous trees

In the Town of Kanturk cars and shoppers are few

In January in Duhallow not a good month for business is not saying what is new

Kanturk in north Cork in the green countryside

In Spring and Summer has visitors from places far and wide

But in Kanturk Town in January a tourist is a rare sight

And the roadways in and out of it are rather quiet

In Kanturk Town on a cold morning in January

Few people out shopping on the streets one does see.

The Desire To Do Better

 You gave of your best that is all you could do

Today there were a few who were better than you

And though winning is the thing everybody does choose

For one for to win others do have to lose

You gave it your very best try in the race

And sadly for you today you did not run a place

But you did accept disappointment with grace

And congratulated the winner with a smile on your face

Your turn to win may not be far away

All things come to those who wait as the wise one does say

there are more losers than winners in life every day

This is how it is and will always be this way

Since the desire to do better in you is within

You are not that far away from a big win.

Kathleen O' Sullivan

 Sad news like good news travels far and wide

The recent news out of Gortavehy in the Boggeragh mountains countryside

Is Kathleen O' Sullivan nee Looney from Annagloor where she first saw light of day

Recently from life has passed away

Married to the late Bob O' Sullivan for more than fifty years of her life

To their children a good mother and to Bob a good wife

She left Annagloor to live in Gortavehy when in her life's prime

And she made many friends over decades of time

In St Mary's in Millstreet her last remains lay

For all of us there is a last night and day

Sadly never more to be seen in the flesh again

But in all who did know her good memories of her will remain

Hope her parting from life for her was a painless release

The beautiful Kathleen she now is at peace.

The Best Of The Rhymers

 The best of the rhymers in the old country town

Yet he remains as a stranger to literary renown

Every local success in rhyme he does celebrate

Yet he is not one the literary critics does rate

As one who is worthy of the title of poet

And it is they who decide should be worthy of literary note

In his early thirties with two young daughters and a lovely and devoted wife

Writing rhyme to him just a hobby in his life

Though not a member of any writers club

On Saturday evenings he recites some of his rhymes at the local pub

And always for him there is an encore

As his appreciative audience call out for more

He may be one the literary critics ignore

But among the country town writers he is to the fore.

I Return To Millstreet

 So far south of Duhallow's old Millstreet Town

The roadways of life i have been up and down

To me many Seasons have come and have gone

And the clock on my life ever keeps ticking on

It was love of  adventure that took me away

From the place where i first saw light of day

Claraghatlea in view of Clara's ancient Hill

Just a few minutes walk to the Claramore rill

With a babbling tongue that is never still

To join the sea going rivers flowing on with a will

Today in the Parish and Town of Millstreet

I would be a stranger there to many i would meet

Since i have not been to there for many years

Though for the what used to be i have shed my last tears

We all have our memories of the what used to be

In this respect every other migrant no different to me

But we all have our mental images i have come to realize

And i return to Millstreet when i visualize.

The Koroit Botanical Gardens

 In the Botanical Gardens in Koroit Town

The magpies are warbling just before sundown

On a cool January evening of around eighteen degrees

Their familiar music is carrying in the breeze

The Koroit Botanical Gardens to visit such a beautiful place

It always has a green and a welcoming face

A beautiful spot where Nature abide

In a historical Town in the Moyne Shire coastal countryside

To koroit's Botanical Gardens Earthly Utopia is near

A nice place to visit at anytime of year

The Koroit Botanical Gardens to rural town wildlife a natural homeground

In the place of many trees in numbers they abound

How pleasant to be in the Botanical Gardens in old Koroit Town

On a January evening just before sundown.

Some People

 Some people scared of spiders and some scared of mice and rats

And some live in fear of diseases that are carried by bats 

And some so scared of sharks they never swim in the sea

Of some phobia or fear is there one who is free?

Some people they are racist against white, black or brown

But they are not a rare breed in any village, city or town

The one who is without flaws does not exist in the Human World of today

That it does take all kinds humanity works in this way

Some are born to win and some are born to lose

And the latter is something that anyone does not choose

And for a few to grow wealthier many in poverty

This is how it is and how it always will be

Some people are caring and compassionate and kind

And in the helping of others are always willingly inclined

And some are narcissistic and self centered and only live for the me

But there are none of us perfect would you not agree?

A Warrnambool Beauty

 Her hair as dark as the wing of a crow

In wavy ringlets to her shoulders grow

And with chestnut brown eyes and a beautiful face

Of any flaw in her no physical trace

For her physical beauty held in high esteem

By her young male admirers many it does seem

But of her physical beauty she does seem aware

In this respect her sort nowadays are not rare

She will turn twenty three on her next birthday

Though far from down to earth of her one can say

A Warrnambool beauty her star on the rise

She seems rather choosy with whom she fraternize

One never seen out in second hand clothes

It does take all kinds one does have to suppose.

The Humble One

The humble one will never be the toast of the town

And he does not harbour a desire for any sort of renown 

Yet his aged neighbour poor Mrs M says he is the kindest person she has known

That he is one who is in a class of his own

Quite poor on a pension and financially struggling to cope

She says to her he is one who brings some hope

He calls in to see her after coming home from work every day

And takes care of her home and her garden without asking for pay

Though not one of the admired people of the town

He never ignores the financially down

Mrs M rates him as the town's best

She says to have him as a neigbour she feels truly blessed

Humble and selfless in his own quiet way

The man who performs good deeds every day.

Not A Real Man

 He is not a real man some of the local young real men do say

He does not join them after work in the pub every day

At the weekend he stays at home with his wife and sometimes join his children in their play

Suppose for being different from others there is some price to pay

By some not seen as a real man he does not play football

And sports never seems to interest him at all

To any tribe he does not seem to belong

With men like him there has to be something wrong

He has never tasted alcohol or enjoyed a beer

Never seen in the pub to partake in the cheer

Spends his boring weekends at home with his children and wife

Yet he does not seem as one who is unhappy in his life

He must not be a real man to like his own company

To some of the so called local young real men he is as strange as can be

He does not play football or is not a member of any community or sporting club

And he is never seen in the local pub.

A January Day In Kilmeedy

 Old Clara half cloaked in the grey fogs of rain

And brown stormwater flowing fast in every field drain

And in the farmyard sheds cattle are bellowing for silage or hay

The sun may not shine on Kilmeedy today

The songs of the birds one never does hear

In January by the mountains a cold and wet time of year

The sound of the wind on bare branches of deciduous trees

In weather temperatures just above zero degrees

Where the steep and narrow Bealach road winds up and down

Across the high countryside above Millstreet Town

The great athletes Willie Neenan and Michael O' Connor trained years ago

Long before time that claims all lives did become their foe

People like them live on in story and rhyme

And though like all others they lost out to time

That the human spirits do not live on who is to say

Their ghosts may be running on the high roads today

On a January day cold enough for to snow

The chill winds from the Boggeraghs down the high country blow

And in windswept Kilmeedy near the Town of Millstreet

The fields drains are swollen from heavy rain and sleet.

Matt

 Locally well known this fellow known as Matt

He is quite handy with a cricket bat

In his early twenties handsome, well built and tall

He is also known to be good at football

Many of the local nubile young females a love interest in him show

As a young man one they would like to get to know

He is not green to love making only true to say

With quite a few young women he has had his way

One locally admired good things of him are said

But all of the praise it has gone to his head

One of the egotistical young males of the town

Though he only knows of a local renown

The Matts of the World to say the least not rare

In every town of his sort quite a share

The local sports fans his praises do sing

And praise it is never a humbling thing

In his early twenties handsome, well built and tall

And his ego one can say is far from small

Never short of a young lover it does seem

And he does not suffer of low self esteem.

Of Nature

 The praises of Nature the Nature lovers sing

And joy to so many she always does bring

And of her we learn something new every day

That her lessons are many only true to say

It is true that the best things in life they are free

The beauty in Nature we do not pay to see

Her lessons are many and her wonders not few

And every day of her we learn something new

Nature is one who has ways of her own

And to us humans so much about her remains as unknown

Her secrets from us she keeps hidden away

Though of her we do learn something new every day

And the more we learn of her the more we come to realize

That of her we know little this not a surprise

Her beauty to view for us it is free

And in her there is so much beauty to see

The one who helps Mother Earth grow a beautiful plant from a tiny seed

Of every human friend she is in need

Nature is one who has ways of her own

And so much about her remains as unknown.

It Hardly Should Matter

 It hardly should matter to you anyway

If you are not remembered in your first hometown today

The few you grew up with there would not welcome you back

When they would  realize of money that you are in lack

Though happiness in life to them it does not bring

Money to them is a most important thing

You left there thirty years ago when you were twenty two

And years of absence from there would have made a stranger there of you

But after a few drinks you feel nostalgia for the what used to be

Before you left there for the bigger World for to see

Absence makes the heart grow fonder as some are known to say

At times this is how it is with you anyway

With a few drinks in you do think of the past

But these fleeting moments with you do not last.

Few Things In Life

 Few things in life ever does seem to last

And in memory all migrants are only linked to the past

Of faces and places they may never more see

This is all they retain of the what used to be 

Today they may feel strangers in their first hometown

On old streets they often did walk up and down

And some of the locals of her or him may even say

This person must be a visitor from far away

The children you played games with in the schoolyard lunch break far away

You wonder about them where they might be today

Young as they were in your memory they remain

Though today you may not recognize them if you meet them again

Eventually we all become victims of time

And in memory you can only return to your physical prime

We can only learn from the past since the past it  has gone

And the clocks on our lives ever keep ticking on

Eventually time becomes everyone's foe

All migrants have only memories of the long ago 

Today they would be strangers in their first hometown

On old streets where they often walked up and down.

A Satisfying Thing

 So few make a living from writing today

Just the chosen few it does seem this way

The famous and wealthy writers in the World are rare

She or he the rare one the literary millionaire

Worldwide there are millions of writers in every village and city and town

Who aspire to literary greatness and renown 

But literary success does come to so few

And this is not saying anything that is new

And though your praises as a writer anyone may not sing

To write for the love of it is such an enjoyable thing

Of a hobby of some sort everyone is in need

For happiness in the mind it sows the seed

And though writing to you fame and fortune may not bring

It can in it's own way be a satisfying thing.

One Can Say On Yourself

 One can say on yourself you are rather tough

When you believe that you are not quite good enough

Since of your worth as a person the town's judgmental you fail to impress

You are not their idea of what constitutes success

You do not own your own home or drive an expensive car

And on the success ladder you have not climbed far 

You worry too much of what others think of you

If you only wish to impress others to your higher self you cannot be true

You should be more like your friend who does his own thing

And cares not if his praisess others never sing

To his higher self he is one who lives near

Since of the opinions of others he never does fear

You are being hard on yourself in your own way

Since you worry too much of what others of you say.

As Has Been Said

 Hope springs eternal as has been said

And live on in hope of better days ahead

In life everyone needs a dream to pursue

Though few ever live to see their dreams come true

You may be one of the poor of the town

Feeling depressed and financially down

But for as long as you have your dream to cling to

Hope is living on in the mind of you

In hard times those without a dream struggle to cope

For to dream of better times does give one hope

As is said everything does come to those who wait

And those with a dream with hope does keep faith

Those without a dream believe better days for them gone

And those with a dream does keep hoping on.

It Is Not My Right

 It is not my right to be anyone's judge

For to feel envious of or for to begrudge

And it should not be my right for to brag or to boast

Though i too have my flaws and far more than most

Wisdom comes with age as the wise one did say

But with me anyhow it has not been this way

Yet i learn as i live something new every day

Though for our lessons in life always some price to pay

I would not like to be born into this World again

Where somebody's loss becomes another's gain

And though many fear death would you not agree

Of prejudice and inequality it sets us all free

I just want to live to be a kinder man

And without physical pain live out my time span.

By The Behaviour Of Greedy People

 Nature's creatures are independent of humans they do nicely on their own

By the behaviour of greedy people the extinction of wildlife is sown

Destruction of natural habitat for financial gain by humans of species extinction a big part does play

To the endangered list more species are being added every day

Many species becoming rarer that used to be plentiful in their range

Due to Global Warming caused by human created carbon emissions that give rise to Climate Change

The World is for us to live in and with other life forms to share

But sadly it is rather obvious that of this most of us not aware

Mother Earth and her many life forms of more human friends are in need

We take and take from the one who does feed us for to serve our own needless greed

The wrongs we do to our Earth Mother to our own selves we happen to do

That by our actions we create our own Karma only happens to be true

Nature's life forms better off without us humans since we only serve our own need

For the extinction of more species we keep on planting the seed.

Our Earth Mother

 We do not treat her as our greatest friend

The one who will claim us when our life's journey end

The one who feeds us humans as well as all

Life forms of the World from the great to the small

The one who supplies food for us every day

Respect to her we never do pay

Without her us humans could not exist

Yet in our greed for her resources on our abuse of her we do persist

Our Earth Mother her human friends are too few

And this is not saying anything that is new

The one we do depend on for to live

We take and take from her and in return to her nothing give

The folly on our behaviour to her we cannot seem to see

We treat her as we would treat an enemy

We cut down her trees and her forests denude

To such a dear friend we are so very rude

What we do to her to our own selves we do

This applies to me as well as to you

Our Earth Mother the one who does feed all

Of us humans as well as all life forms from the great to the small.

Camperdown

 In the Corangamite Shire in Victoria an old country Town

That many love to visit known as Camperdown

That has become known as a multicultural place

And has become home to people of many a race

Camperdown to it does have a good feel

The warmth in it's people to visitors do appeal

Most Camperdown residents in charm do not lack

The reason that many visitors to there to revisit often come back

A nice Town to visit at any time of year

Of good stories from Camperdown of visitors one mostly does hear

Many kilometres from the Ocean on the Princes Highway

Camperdown has many vistors every day

The inspiration of the writers of song, story and rhyme

It's visitor appeal has grown over time.

That Most Of Are Aware

 The big egos of the Human World are not of the few

And this is not saying anything that is new

In the twenty first century promotion of self has become an in thing

Their own praises so many do love to sing

Sad to think that the humble nowadays by some are looked on as people lacking in pride

Narcissism it is on the rise Worldwide

Every day for this thing known as success billions of people compete

And the down to earth becoming harder to meet

It is the admiring gullible masses that are mainly to thank

For the widening gap in the social rank

For the arrogance of the wealthy celebrities the admiring majority to blame

It can be soul destroying this thing known as fame

The down to earth high achievers to say the least rare

This is only saying something that most of are aware.

On The Passing Of Breeda Tarrant

 In life there is many a happy and sad day

And with the late Breeda Tarrant it would have been this way

And so sad to realize in her mid seventies she has breathed her last

On looking back on the Seasons time seems to go fast

A kind hearted person well worthy of praise

In Annagloor a few kilometres west of Millstreet Town her children she did raise

In her prime years she was quite attractive to behold

The years go so quickly and we soon do grow old

Sad to realize her journey through time for her has come to an end

Breeda in life did make many a friend

A woman who enjoyed music, dance and song

Through good and through sad times her love of life remained strong

Though the deceased for them never hear the funeral bell

For all of us from life a final farewell

And though the breath that sustains life from Breeda has gone

In all who knew her good memories of her will live on

Sadly never to be seen in the flesh in Duhallow again

But in all who knew Breeda fond memories of her will remain

As an attractive looking woman in her life's prime

But sadly we all become victims of time

Since To His Higher Self

 To him only credit ought to be his due

Since to his higher self he tries to live true

Of anyone he never has one bad word to say

And respect to those different to him he does pay

For his future good Karma he sows the good seed

By helping anyone of his help in need

People like he is who for others do care

In the twenty first century are becoming rare

Happiness to others in his kindness he does bring

Yet so few his praises one ever hear sing

Not one among the admired of the town

To live as a good person his one claim to renown

For the betterment of humanity his part he does play

By performing a good deed or two every day.

On Love

 Joy to the soul of the mind it does bring

Love in it's truest form is a beautiful thing

Yet so many loves a lifetime does not last

And often the love quickest to bloom does fade rather fast

The words of a wise one are worthy of recall

It is better to know of love and love's disappointment than never know of love at all

There are winners and losers in love every day

Like most other things in life it works in this way

Unconditional love between human beings is mostly based on a lie

And there can be grief and disappointment when love it does die

For a better World to live in more love between people we need

For to happiness and peace love can be the seed

But love the inspiration of the writers of song, story and rhyme

Between only a few does last a lifetime.

Memories Are All

 Memorioes are all that we have to retain

Of what used to be and will not be again

They are our only links to the past

And time on our lives ever keeps ticking fast

Memories for us of the what used to be

Of people we knew and may never more see

People we have not met for many years

Some memories do moisten the eyes with tears

Time does not wait it keeps ticking away

Tomorrow will be a memory of today

Youth with everyone does have a brief stay

The now is all that does matter as the wise one does say

Memories of the past are all we retain

In times of nostalgia to visit again.

On Politicians

 Of trustworthy politicians only a few 

And this is not saying anything that is new

In parliament many of them do lie every day

And to be untrustworthy for them seems to pay

Few politicians to an honest question give an honest reply

And many of them quite often the truth do deny

Their own party they praise and their opposition members criticize

And some of them even believe their own lies

When politicians lose their parliamentary seat or retire from parliament on their big pension they do rather well

They will never know of life in financial hell

It can be said of politicians that they are well known

Not for taking care of the poor people of the Country but for themselselves and their own

Friends and families and for themselves do financially okay

And most of them by good example never lead the way.

The Black Bull

 The big bull with his cows in the paddock proud dad of many a daughter and son

To carry on the seed of his breed a chosen one

As black as a crow he makes for a formidable sight 

800 kilograms of muscle and might

His black progeny on the nourishing milk of their black mothers gaining weight by the day

The big price the farmer paid for his prize bull the price he will receive for his calves him will more than repay

Next year at a profit his breeding bull he will sell

And from his financial investment he will have done well

That some of his progeny are show prize winners the big bull is not aware

With enough of nutritious young grass for to eat he does not have a care

Due to his bull and the bull's progeny the farmer has become well known

His reputation as a shrewd judge of breeding cattle among beef farmers has steadily grown

As for his fame the big black beast does not seem the least bit aware

Sitting and chewing his cud he does not seem to have a care.

Obviously Clear

 2020 for many has not been a good year

People Worldwide of contacting C O V I D-19 are living in fear

Hundreds of thousands of people of it have already died

The fact that it can prove quite lethal cannot be denied

But that  C O V I D-19 is not the greatest danger to the existence of humanity happens to be so

Climate Change ignored by far too many is our greatest foe

The Polar Ice caps are melting at an alarming rate

In this for us humans there is nothing to celebrate

C O V I D -19 in the news headlines Worldwide every day

But of a far greater threat to humanity few have anything to say

To reduce carbon emissions that give rise to Global Warming it may soon be too late

In our greed for Mother Earth's resources as a species we may seal our own fate

Due to C O V  I  D- 19  2020 for many people has not been a good year

But that Climate Change to the existence of humanity is a far greater danger is obviously clear.

The Man Without Fear

 Not been seen in the flesh for awhile the man without fear

Though a story about him of late i did hear

From a reliable source is how it seems to be

I can only relate of how it was told to me

That the man without fear in shark infested waters went for a swim

And this was the last anyone see of him

Frogmen searched for him in the coastal sea for kilometres around

But dead or alive any trace of him by them not found

The man without fear is presumed to be dead

He was taken by a big shark of him it is said

Not known to die of natural causes the fearless and bold

Only those who fear danger do live to grow old

For the man without fear an eulogy not read

For he has not been proclaimed to be officially dead

But going by a reliable source he is not alive

Only those who fear danger to an old age survive.

He Is Not The Man

 Time that rusts iron has become his foe

He is not the man he was five decades ago

A stroke in his seventies has left him walking slow

Of better days in life he surely did know

In his early eighties divorced by his wife

With one who is younger by a few years she will live out her life

Six times a great grand dad the years on him show

The hair on his balding head as white as snow

One of the handsome young men of the town

Back in the years when his hair was light brown

All he retains are memories of the past

As ever time it does keep ticking fast

Looking every day of his age of eighty three

His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren he seldom does see

His better days are in the long gone

Only the love of life and the fear of death makes him want to live on

That time is our master only true to say

In the nursing home he will live his last day

Healthy, strong and athletic when in his life's prime

Only in memory we can go back in time.

On The Passing Of John Linehan

 Sad news for to learn of from the Parish of Millstreet

Of one who was raised near where the waterways meet

In the green countryside his first home in Dooneen

In Cullen or Millstreet never more to be seen

John Linehan of a family of Duhallow entertainers who are widely known

As musicians and singers the Linehans in a class of their own

John in his fifties is one who died relatively young

It is sad for to learn his last song he has sung

Survived by his mother, his children and his wife

John was one who was not  born for to live a long life

Few do go through life without bearing some cross

And his fans, friends and family left to grieve for their loss

Of spreading joy in the World he helped plant the seed

And of many more like him humanity is in need

The grim reaper claimed the life from him long before his twilight years

And his farewell from life would not have gone without tears

Perhaps there is some truth in the saying the good do die young

Sad to realize that John Linehan his last song he has sung

He lived his boyhood years near where the waterways meet

In the green countryside by the Town of Millstreet.

To The Judgmental Looked On

 To the Judgmental looked on as the never do well

All of those who know of life in Earthly Hell

Who know of hunger and homelessness and are financially down

The poorest of the poor in every city and town

The gap between the wealthy and the poor in the social divide

Has not decreased through the years it keeps growing ever wide

And in a World where some have far too much food it seems sad to say

That people are dying of malnutrition every day

The poor of the World are victims of human greed

Of food anybody of should not be in need

And since death to all does bring equality

Mortality cannot be such a bad thing would you not agree?

And sad to think the judgmental always verbally put poor people down

And dismiss them as the never do well of every city and town.

On John Masefield

 His legend in his words live on through the decades of time

John Masefield whose legacy lives in his beautiful rhyme

His long story poems have won him many a fan

In literature his name lives on as a memorable man

From Ledbury in England one who travelled far and wide

The title of poet of him cannot be denied

The Poet Laureate of England for many years

His poems of adventure and life's joys and tears

John Masefield was a sailor as a young man

And as a great writer lived out his life span

His Saltwater Ballads his ticket to fame

On his journey in life to a great literary name

John Masefield with rhyming words did love to play

During his lifetime one who did write every day 

His praises his many fans do love to sing

To his readers Worldwide such joy his words do bring

John Masefield he was a famous English poet

And today his name lives on as one worthy of literary note

The last breath of life from his mortal body may have long gone

But in his legacy of words his fame does live on.

How Come

 How come the good memories bring to your eyes tears

Of the what used to be in the long gone years

Of the beautiful young woman with shoulder length wavy hair of brown

That your proposal of  marriage years ago turned down

The woman you married and raised your children with you did not stay

She is with a younger man than you are today

Life has it's good days as well as it's bad

And at some of our best memories we do feel sad

On looking back the years time seems to have gone fast

And the best we can do is to learn from the past

In life it is true we do learn as we live

And for to receive we must know how to give

Your happiest memories can often seem sad

In life there is always the good and the bad.

Not Everything

 The praises of wealthy people many may sing

But wealth in itself is a relative thing

The multi millionaire is not as financially wealthy as the billionaire

This is only saying of what most are well aware

On your side of the town none as wealthy as you are

But to find one financially better off than you perhaps you may not have to drive that far

That wealth happens to be relative only happens to be true

You may be rich but there is one always richer than you

Money is not everything as the wise one does say

One of the wealthiest people in the town today

Is dying of cancer with just a few months to live

Just to stay alive all of his money he would give

And though the praises of wealthy people many may sing

Money is quite important but it is not everything.

A Knocknagree Migrant

 All he has now is the memory 

Of his younger years in old Knocknagree

The high Village in Sliabh Luachra where he first saw light of day

In view of the Boggeraghs from here far away

Childless in his eighties without a wife

Yet he does not feel lonely in his life

On Saturday evening in the local pub he joins in the cheer

And spins many a good yarn as he sips on his beer

In the pub looked on as one of their own

Today in Konocknagree by few he would be known

The hair on his balding head is silver grey

The gift of youth with anyone does not stay

But of any worries he lives as carefree

Far south of the high village of Knocknagree.

Big John

 He only spent a few years of his boyhood in school

But big John in his late twenties is nobody's fool

With a pretty five years old daughter and a beautiful young wife

He is doing quite well for himself in life

A self employed builder by trade he is doing financially well

Yet a down to earth fellow in him nothing swell

Living proof  that being financially successful of a good education one is not in need

In the eyes of the town's judgmental he does succeed

As one who can be considered a financial success

Though them he has never set out to impress

Since he is one who own his own big home and is a known millionaire

That he is worth admiring the unpaid judges have become aware

Not well educated he only spend a few years in primary school

But big John is one who is nobody's fool.

Summer In Lisnaboy

 Old memories live on as a source of Joy

Of happy Summer days in green Lisnaboy

The sweet scent of freshly mowed grass blowing in the breeze

And young birds chirping on the bushes and trees

On sunny weather of a pleasant twenty degrees

The soft droning sounds of the nectar gathering wild bees

Among the wildflowers of the sunlit fields buzzing around

Their nest of honey well hidden under moss in the ground

Where Nature in Summer has a sunny green face

Lisnaboy it is such a beautiful place

In view of the Boggeraghs on a clear sunny day

Such beautiful memories a lifetime to stay

In Summer in Lisnaboy natural beauty to be seen

Wildflowers on the ditches of every bohreen

And with the sun on their dark wings chirping as they fly

The swallows are chasing flying insects in the sky

Such beautiful memories a lifetime to retain

In moments of nostalgia to visit again

Of near Cullen in Duhallow in green Lisnaboy

Old memories do live on as a source of joy.

The Champion Cyclist

 It does look like time it has become his foe

He is not the man he was four decades ago

In the days when his hair was chestnut brown

And he was the champion cyclist of the town

The year he was to compete in the Tour De France

And was in the big race with a winners podium chance

But in a pre Tour cycle race he received a heavy fall

Which was to prove the end of a dream for him that was far from small

As is said of life it is not always fair

Due to a broken neck he must spend his days in a wheel chair

The woman he loved did not become his wife

After his accident she choose to walk out on his life

The hair on his balding head is silver grey

In his late sixties in a nursing home he is living today.

On A Photo Of Dan Hallisey And His Donkey

 An online photograph on the Millstreet web site of a man i used to know

Dan Hallisey on his donkey cart going down through Minor Row

On one of Sean Radley's journeys back in time

In the nineteen seventies when Dan was well past his life's prime

Dan Hallisey back then had known of a far better physical day

Yet one before his time as Sean in his comment did say

He left a tiny carbon footprint for to give him his due

Since to a simple way of life he was one who lived true

Respect to the memory in a photograph Sean Radley did pay

Of one who lived his life in quite a humble way

He never once did brag or verbally offend

Two of the many reasons he never was short of a friend

One who passed from life many Seasons ago

And lived until he died without making a foe

When he lived many changes in Millstreet since then

And a few generations have grown into women and men

One who never craved financial success or renown

A photo of Dan Hallisey and his donkey in old Millstreet Town

A reminder of what the future yet well may be

That history repeat itself some do agree

It is thanks to Sean Radley for inspiring this rhyme

And taking us back through the Seasons of time

To an old Millstreet character from Duhallow long gone

A friend to the good Earth that he did live on.

Wherever She Is

 Wherever she is joy is  to be found

She carries it with her and shares it around

Of sadness in her there is not any trace

She always does have a big smile on her face

When out walking in the park or on the street

She is one who is always a pleasure to meet

The joy she has in her with others she share

People like she is in the World are so rare

Charming and sweet in her own friendly way

One who does make a new friend every day

Of happiness one who does carry the seed

Of people like she is every town is in need

Down to earth, beautiful and free of guile

With the warmth of joy in her beautiful smile.

December In Duhallow

 Above the bare green fields where the Araglen flow

The cold winds of  December from the Boggeraghs blow

Cattle in farmyard sheds for Winter locked away

Just after day break bellow for silage or hay

Every passing hour brings Christmas more near

In the dying days of an old year

The weather is just above zero degrees

And the cold wind is soughing in bare deciduous trees

The sun well hidden behind low clouds of grey

In the fields of Duhallow no farmers working today

At least four months from the warmth of the Spring

Hungry birds in hedgerows do not have songs to sing

The cold wind from the Boggeraghs has the breath of snow

Above the bare fields where the Araglen flow.

What Defines Freedom

Most people are prisoners of their own mind

And free thinkers are of the endangered kind

A truly free person i have yet to meet

And i am one who has walked on many a street

I know and i know of  people who seem carefree

But they are not what others make them out to be

The smiling face of contentment may tell

But as a cover for hidden worries it can serve one quite well

Of financial problems money will set you free

With this most people would surely agree

And though the praises of money the masses may sing

True happiness to anyone it does not bring

What defines freedom ask one other than me

Since i am one who cannot say i am free.

There Is Not That Much Of A Difference

 There is not that much of a difference between the poor and the wealthy

Since life does end for everyone some day

And it is true death does make all people equal

There is no status where dead people lay

We return to the very Earth that feeds us

On our lives Life's Reaper has the final say

Does not matter if your body is cremated

Or in a cemetery buried and left to naturally decay

The adoring masses put people on pedestals

But death to all equality does bring

Death that is feared Worldwide by so many

Is after all in truth not a bad thing

We admire people for their material possession 

And verbally condemn those who lack in financial gain

But why we fear death the one who treats everyone as an equal

Is beyond a mortal like me to explain

Only in life there is inequality

But death brings inequality to an end

And is the one most of the living live in fear of

And is not considered by anyone as a friend.

Before The Baby Does Walk

 Before the baby does walk the baby does crawl

And the baby does rise again after a fall

And long before children into adults do grow

Of the ups and downs of life they do come to know

And the seeds for the existence of the children of the future by them will be sown

When they will help to give life to and raise children of their own

But for the future young women and men

What will the World be like for to live in then

With less wildlife to view and less birds for to sing

As time ticks on closer to the silent Spring

Some price to be paid for twenty first century human success

Of  poverty more and of prosperity less

And whatever we achieve in life it is not a lie

That we are born for to eventually die.

It Is Only In Memory

 Perhaps i will never see Clara again

Half cloaked in the grey fog that comes before rain

Or walk in the fields near the Town of Millstreet

In the green countryside to where the waterways meet

I only have memories of what used to be

Of beauty i have known of and may never more see

In most migrants the memories of first home live on

Though from there in years they have been long gone

Of faces and places the mental images i retain

And good memories of Claraghatlea today with me remain

Where i grew to love Nature when i was a boy

And learning of her ways today i enjoy

Others i never do seek to impress 

And i will never be known as a financial success

But am i worse off than one i know of  a multi millionaire

Whose sad looking face tells of one burdened by care

As a financial success his community status does grow

Yet so little of Nature's ways he seems to know

He could not tell apart a currawong from a crow

Though in the ways of making money he has proof to show

Of the place i was raised in one can say far south

Of Nature every day i am learning about

In the home of emu, koala, echidna, wallaby and grey kangaroo

And long billed corella and yellow tailed black cockatoo

It is only in memory i visit Millstreet Town

And on old streets i loved again walk up and  down

Where i was well known before my hair turned to grey

I would be a stranger to many today.

What Is Joyful To Some

 I have been told by some people i have been wasting my time

On penning reams of doggerel rhyme

Without fame or money for my efforts in pay

And that i ought to give doggerelizing away

Of their sort of unsolicited for advice i do not feel of in need

So to them i never does pay any heed

What they think and say of me is their business and this suits me fine

And what is their business is not any business of mine

If i told them that their advice to me i would take this would be a lie

Since i hope to be rhyming until the day i do die

Since of contentment in my mind it helps sow the seed

Without rhyme in my life i would feel bored indeed

I have been penning rhyme since my physical prime

And what is joyful to some to many a waste of time.

Only The Bravest

 The look of self satisfaction is with every winner but only the bravest one does lose with grace

And admit the better person was the winner and accept defeat with a smiling face

This is indeed a trues test of one's character without any excuse accept your defeat

And go and shake the hand of the winner and say by one better today i was beat

No extra prizes for being a good winner your extra prize is your praises the fans do sing

It is easy so easy to feel very happy when honour to yourself you are one who did bring

But the loser who smiles despite disappointment and for the winner joins in the hooray

Is one who does not go unnoticed by others and by good example does lead the way

Everybody cannot be the winner though winning is the thing everyone does desire

But in the losers who admit the winner was better in their acceptance of defeat quite a lot to admire

It is so very easy for to be a good winner since winning is what it is mostly about

The graceful loser is one well worth knowing and of honour is one not to be counted out

Only the bravest are gracious in defeat this is only saying what is obviously true

So very graceful despite disappointment respect to them it is surely their due.

An In Thing

 In an age when many their own praises do like to sing

Self promotion is seen as an in thing

Though self praise is no praise as a truism remain

The meaning in this it's own self does explain

In a Human World where so many with each other for attention compete

The down to earth people becoming harder to meet

Narcissism is on the rise in the Human World of today

And this seems a very sad thing for to say

The crave for attention it is Worldwide

And sadly the humble are being pushed aside

Modern technology big egos create

So many their own selves love to celebrate

That self praise is no praise is not a lie

In the twenty first century in the age of me, myself and i.

Most Artists And Writers

 Most artists and writers dream of wealth and fame

Of being celebrated as a Worldwide known name

But like in all things in literature and art the winners are few

And this is not saying anything that is new

Yes it is true that the artistic or literary millionaire

Are nowadays as was always are of the very rare

Most artists and writers others never impress

And so few of them ever do know of success

Worldwide in every village and city and town

There are artists and writers who daydream of renown

But for so few such dreams do ever come true

Fame and wealth in their lives it seems is not their due

We all need a dream in life it does seem

For to raise our spirits in times of low self esteem.

it Was All Lovey Dovey

 It was all lovey dovey between them for awhile

In the the park as they walked hand in hand on their faces a big smile

And gazing into each others eyes they often stopped for a cuddle and a kiss

Love in full bloom is a feeling of bliss

But love between them it did not last for long

And when love dies the feeling of dislike can become rather strong

Nowadays only looks of dislike between them when they meet

As they pass each other as strangers on the street

Love like a rose in the prime of the Spring

When in full bloom is a beautiful thing

It is the inspiration of the writers of song, story and rhyme

But only the truest love lasts the test of time

They made passionate love as new lovers do

And professed their love for each other with words like i love you

But love that is fastest to bloom is often quickest to die

The one who first said this was not telling a lie

It was all lovey dovey in the not distant past

But the love between them it died just as fast

And nowadays of each other they do not have nice things to say

When they meet on the street they look the other way.

In The Part Of the City

 They live in the suburb of Polluted air

On the poor of the city life does seem unfair

Many of them unemployed no jobs to go to

Time does drag on slowly with nothing to do

Some of them on drugs and some are out on bail

And some of them for robbery serving time in jail

And where some do not have a postal address

To work for low wages is seen as success

In the suburb where at night many do sleep rough

Even those looked on as wealthy in life doing it tough

Even those who own their own home among the rare

In the suburb that does not have one millionaire

In the part of the city where poverty is rife

So few are born for to live a long life.

Far From Ballydaly

 Far from Ballydaly in Tralee he lived his last night and day

In St Mary's Cemetery in Millstreet his last remains lay 

Survived by his wife Mary his children and grand children memories of him will live on

In his many friends though his gift of life from him has gone

Tim Joe Kiely he lived as a very good man

One who helped many people in his long life span

He was one who in him did have so much good

And if he could help you he most certainly would

Gone from Ballydaly a well loved face

And sadly there is none for to take his place

Of anyone he never had unkind things to say

And to help other people often went out of his way

In Ballydaly he lived for many years

And his passing from life did not go without tears

Eventually time becomes everyone's foe

May he now rest in peace the likeable Tim Joe.

On The Passing Of Tuddy

 Sad news from the Moyne Shire that has trvelled far and wide

Frank 'Tuddy' Bowman in Killarney in a drowning accident has died

A likeable fellow well loved and well known

In Koroit they are grieving for the loss of one of their own

In his late sixties or early seventies Tuddy was young at heart

For a better and a happier World to live in he did play his part

A well loved entertainer he sang many a song

And in every communtity get together led in the sing along

To the Koroit Irish Festival the trio Tommy, Mick and Tuddy such joy did bring 

Sad to think in the flesh we will never again hear him sing

But his voice on tape is destined to live

So much joy to so many he did selflessly give

About him he had such a likeable way

Tuddy was a man who made new friends every day

In the cemetery at Tower Hill his last remains lay

He will be fondly remembered by many in truth one can say

One who was loved and admired beyond Southern Cross

His passing to south west Victoria entertainment is such a great loss

Tuddy always had a big smile on his face

And sadly there is none for to take his place.

Sue

 To her higher self one who is true

That lovely caring lady Sue

To her children a good mum and to her husband a good wife

She is one who does lead an honourbale life

So likeable in her own sweet way

She brings joy to people every day

People like her of so good to know

As she does have the bright inner glow

A grandmother in her sixtieth year

One can feel the good vibes when she is near

Kind and caring and attractive to behold

In her nothing self conceited or cold

Quite a loving person indeed

The Human World of more like her in need.

Make Yourself A Better Person

 The power of self improvement can only come from within

Make yourself a better person make the World better to live in

There is more to our existence than living solely for the me

That there are others to think about would you not agree?

It is what you do for others as a person says more about you

Than anything for yourself that you do choose to do

Those with a healthy sense of self love has love in them to spare

That with other people they are willing for to share

Too much love of self grows to narcissism and is self love gone all wrong

And to any form of real love narcissism does not belong

For to live a good existence one must give for to receive

On what goes around always comes around is not hard to believe

The power for to be kinder can only come from within

Make yourself a better person make the World better to live in.

Tower Hill

 On a wattle tree in Tower Hill Of the Peek Wurrong

A magpie is warbling his familiar song

It's links to an indigenous tribe one of it's claims to renown

This large volcanic crater close to Koroit Town

This historical spot in the Moyne Shire coastal countryside

Is visited by tourists from places far and wide

Surrounded by volcanic cliffs with a mystery of it's own

The date of it last volcanic eruption remains as unknown

Home to emu, koala and wallaby and grey kangaroo

And echidna, long billed corella and yellow tailed black cockatoo

For the Peek Wurrong a tribe of indigenous race

Up to a few centuries ago a favourite meeting place

Tower Hill that has inspired great artists like Eugene Von Guerard and the writers of song, story and rhyme

In appearance would not have changed much through the centuries of time

Where the last of the Peek Wurrong people in their hidden graves lay

Their myths and their legends are living today

Of tourist cars and buses from places far and near

The steep and narrow road winding around Tower Hill busy at all times of year

A World renowned volcanic crater and a sacred and historical place

With strong links to a tribe of an indigenous race.

The Man From Berlin

 Though he speaks with a German accent his English quite good

And when speaking he is easily understood

From Berlin a City in kilometres far away

In this southern Land his last remains will lay

An octogenarian great grand-dad time not on his side

Three years ago his long term wife in her late seventies died

They had been married for fifty two years

At mention of her his eyes moist up with tears

One physically who has known of a far better day

The hair on his balding head is silver grey

In his two bedroom brick unit he lives on his own

In his neighbourhood he is well liked and well known

In the park walking on his own him one often does see

The man from Berlin he is now eighty three.

A Fair Go For Some

 Wise words of a wise one well worthy of recall

A fair go for some is not a fair go for all 

The words in this saying as a truism remain

And the meaning in it it's own self does explain

The fact of the matter none ought to deny

That a fair go for some to all never apply

And sadly it only happens to be so

That for billions of people Worldwide no such a thing as a fair go

So many poor people living in dire poverty

Of discrimination will never be free

Discriminated against due to nationality, culture or religious beliefs or of the colour of their skin

Some people it does seem are not born to win

No such a thing as equality among people when all is said and done

And a fair go for some is not a fair go for everyone

And the wise words of a wise person well worthy of recall

That a fair go for some is not a fair go for all.