When First I Saw You Kitty Poem by Francis Duggan

When first I saw you Kitty I was just a twelve year boy
A mile or so from Millstreet Town on an evening in July
Walking on the Millstreet to Killarney road with your sister Margaret
I still have not forgotten 'that memory with me yet'.

I was told that's Kitty Cronin 'the World is at her feet'
The pride of all Duhallow and the Darling of Millstreet
And you were scarcely twenty then and at the threshold of your prime
But that was thirty years ago and further down the line.

If I was not told who you were now then you I would not know
For I only saw you for a brief while some thirty years ago
And in thirty years a lot of change in eleven thousand days or so
And still you look quite beautiful the years in you don't show.

Your son Sean grown to be a man and time keeps ticking on
Hard to believe on looking back how quick the time has gone
And you still look quite beautiful see no trace of life's wear
I see no wrinkles on your skin or gray ribs through your hair.

I first saw you dear Kitty on a sunny Summer's day
A mile towards west of Millstreet years ago and far away
And I was told that's Kitty Cronin 'the World is at her feet
And she's the pride of all Duhallow and the Darling of Millstreet.