Francis Duggan Poems

A long way south of Claraghatlea in Millstreet and the rushy fields in view of Clara hill
Though in my dreams i sometimes hear the ripple of the ever free flowing mountain rill
On it's journey to the bigger river to the great Atlantic far away
All i do have are memories of the what was though i feel happy where i live today
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When i am out walking on every street
Happy and sad faces i always do meet
A smile does not cost as the wise one does say
And on passing some even wish me a good day
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Wherever he is at joy is to be found
He carries it with him hand and shares it around
Why he does make friends easily no need to ask why
Happy Johnny the nickname that he is known by
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October has brought with it wind and heavy rain
But today the sun it is shining on old Castlemaine
The mosquitoes are biting it is this time of year
And they are at their most aggressive when rain it is near
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Tomorrow will dawn but not for everyone
And business will go on and deals will be do
And in a human World where for one for to win many have to lose
For to lose is something anyone would not choose
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In recent times outlawed as terrorists by the Governments of Britain and Ireland the I R A
Do seem rather timid when compared to the terrorists of today
For so called religious people it does seem rather odd
That they deliberately target maim and kill people in the name of their god
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It Has been so long so long ago a memory to remember
At Shannaknock Cross the travelers parked their horse drawn vans for the Millstreet Town horse fair of September
They played music, sung and drank their stout, told stories and made merry
At the byroad to Shannaknock off of the Millstreet road to Kerry
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In their quest for power and political renown
Opposing political party members in parliament verbally run each other down
The government and the opposition members about each other do not have any nice things to say
For the sake of power this is the political way
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I've been told that Lal from Buninyong of late has not been well
And that he's not drank for some while in the Bunny Crown Hotel
In fact I've been informed that he gave the booze away
And that he's not tasted alcohol not for many a day.
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You have been chosen to work for my company and of my company you must feel part
And you must start from my yard in the morning and finish from where you start
These are the boss's orders and if his orders we do not obey
He might give us a written warning or worse than that dock us in pay.
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