Francis Duggan Poems

'Tis true the more knowledge we acquire the less we know we know
And for the decades that we live if we only have to show
A financial institution we did create that does not seem much at all
For the greatest human achievement when compared to Nature small.
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The beauty of her Village and none so fair as she
Way back in the mid fifties she was the pride of Knocknagree
One in her early twenties then and all but in her prime
She did not go unnoticed and she inspired the poets to rhyme.
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All of those I went to school with now looking the worst for wear
And those of them who are not using hair dye must have much gray in their hair
And some gone to the Reaper and others from Millstreet live far away
Whilst others in Duhallow have chosen for to stay.
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The sun is out and shining though a chill is in the air
And in the depths of Winter a morning such as this is rare
The traffic on the Freeway I hear it buzzing by
Such a noisy intrusion few if any enjoy.
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So you feel life is tough on you just going by what you say
Yet I know of a woman in her late sixties who sleeps in a disused factory doorway
With one blanket to keep out the chill on the cold concrete she lay
If you had to live as she does you would complain night and day.
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Out there in the high country under a starry sky
The boobook owl is calling and I hear the vixen cry
Perhaps she is out hunting or searching for a mate
The time is ripe and time doesn't wait for her to copulate.
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Though many of her secrets from us she keeps hidden away
Of Nature we learn something new every day
Though some things about her she is willing to share
That of her I know little I am all too aware
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Have you ever thought of your hometown far away
And the friends and relations you have not seen for many a day
Though happy in your adopted hometown do you ever think of what used to be
Or is the past a fading ember in your memory
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In the local pub he did enjoy his beer
And he sung between drinks the old balladeer
And always for him there was a loud encore
As the patrons they begged him for to sing some more
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Not everyone loves Smitty he is not everyone's friend
But Genevieve and Graeme on him can depend
To protect their home from burglars when they are away
No stranger his territory will enter if Smitty on it has the say
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