Francis Duggan Poems

When I am gone forever and not one memory of me remain
The birds will chirp and whistle in the Spring before the rain
And Nature's flowers will be blooming and on every fruit bearing tree
The clusters of pink blossoms so pretty for to see
...

In Killarney in Victoria Ruby Hunter passed away
She was only fifty five years young to die as some would say
A legendary singer and Archie Roach's soul-mate
Australia's greatest Indigenous singing duo together they were great.
...

I live in the south most of my memories are of elsewhere
And though I've seen a little of the World out there
Many people have travelled far more widely than me
And so much in the big World there is for to see.
...

So much about his courage we have heard of and read
So sad about the brave man so sad to hear he's dead
A decorated soldier from a war far away
The Reaper claimed the life from him suppose he had his day
...

In Summer where the Merri flows into the sea
Parents with their children one often does see
Relaxing and swimming on a nice sunny day
In the cool and shallow waters of old Lady Bay
...

They have so much in common they love to talk football
And big names of their favourite sport they do love to recall
Though not everyone in their drinking group barracks for the same club
Football the main topic of conversation when they meet in the pub,
...

Where coalminers for safer working conditions and higher pay earned their place in renown
Today he says he'd be a stranger in old Wonthaggi Town
He left it forty five years ago when he was in his life's prime
It's been thirty years since he was last back there and that's going back in time
...

He is arguably England's greatest Nature poet
Yet in his lifetime not seen as one worthy of note
He died in the Northampton Asylum where he had lived for years
But his passing did not stir a Nation to tears
...

He came to Melbourne in his late teens at the threshold of his prime
Forty two years in Australia that does seem a long time
Mick Kelleher is a young grandfather but time does not stand still
It has been awhile he will tell you since he last climbed Clara Hill
...

On top of the gum tree the old pale eyed crow
Is talking to his neighbours of his kind of what they would know
Perhaps he is saying to them if this way you do fly
I will show you where food is to here 'tis nearby
...