Beautiful And Brave Poem by Francis Duggan

Through Tipperary's Thurles Town
Of hurling glory and renown
Towards Semple park I trod my way
On Munster semi final day.

A friendly voice rang out in greet
A girl behind me on the street
A pretty lady young and fair
With dark blue eyes and blondish hair.

I talked with her we walked awhile
She seemed so sweet and free of guile
A girl of charm and courtesy
With bubbling personality.

I did not ask the girl her name
But I asked her from what place she came
I'm Tipp girl and I'm proud to be
From good old Thurles Town said she.

She walked with a limp the girl was lame
But she seemed happy just the same
Her handicap caused her no gloom
And she glowed like a Summer rose in bloom.

At a street corner we did part
And sympathy rose in my heart
For lovely female young and sweet
The lady with imperfect feet

But she'd no need of sympathy
As she seemed happier than me
Her lameness caused her no misery
And she bore her cross with bravery.

And god forbid it were I lame
Then by the heck would I complain
And so would countless others too
The brave at heart are few so few.

And that makes her a special breed
A very special girl indeed
The girl I met one sunday afternoon
In Thurles in the month of June.