Francis Duggan Poems

I knew just as much about them fifty years ago
Of Life and of Nature as now I do know
Though from our dealings with people we learn every day
We learn as we live as some are known to say
...

About him he had such an amiable way
For everyone he had a cheerful good day
A down to earth old bloke and free of conceit
And nicer than him one could not wish to meet
...

The tiny frogs singing in the roadside drain
And the sky overcast it is looking like rain
And though not in any way cold enough for to snow
The wind from the hill with a chilly breath blow.
...

Save your own soul mister since you cannot save mine
And if I'm doomed forever well that suits me fine
To your way of thinking you will not convert me
Though with to each their own you could never agree.
...

Billo in his early fifties does his own things in life
Whilst he is in the pub drinking Lucinda his wife
Is out with her lover having a good time
Enjoying the good life two decades past her prime.
...

They meet once a month in their Club in the town
To talk of old times when they dreamed of renown
When they fought for their flag in a war far away
The years have left them looking weary and gray.
...

The old Finnow river in flood waters of brown
Is bank high in the fields just west of Millstreet Town
And water is gurgling in the roadside drain
And the blackbird he sings in the wind and the rain
...

Well raised of good parents of him so we hear
The one who has caused others suffering and fear
In that case for his bad behaviour an excuse one cannot make
For injuring others for their money and causing heartache.
...

The stuff I pen is just that stuff though some call it doggerel rhyme
And some do say in your hobby mate why waste such precious time
Why do you keep on penning stuff we really wonder why?
'Tis time you put your pen away and give something else a try
...

In my memory it remains as the Millstreet I did know
The Millstreet I lived in decades ago
But in Millstreet the changes keep happening that's life as some do say
And perhaps I would feel a stranger in the old Hometown today.
...