Mattie Grumpy Poem by Francis Duggan

Some say old Mattie takes life far too serious
And that on his tongue there is a constant boil
And others who have known him for six decades
Will tell you they have never seen him smile.

They say he has not changed much since his schooldays
That even then he was a sour faced boy
Whilst all the others had fun and played football
He took no part in games they did enjoy.

He never played hide and seek in the school yard
And he always seemed forlorn and out of place
And they had a nickname for him 'Mattie Grumpy'
For a smile was never once seen on his face.

It's been said that Matt had an unhappy childhood
That his father Dave was a domineering man
That he often beat him and his sister Lily
And punched and kicked his wife their mother Louisa Ann.

Their mother left them when they were teenagers
She went to live with fellow far more kind
And she left Matt and Lil with their abusive father
And laughter was the last thing on their minds.

He's sixty five and he has never married
And he may end his days without a wife
And it's been said the sense of humour men are born with
Was taken from him early in his life.

He never laugh or smile old Mattie Grumpy
And what his mood is who could even tell?
But those who know him since he was a schoolboy
Say he has lived it hard and been in hell.