Francis Duggan Poems

He has been down many a time but refuses to be counted out
And his brain it has often been racked by self doubt
For Bill there has never been an easy pay
In the poor side of town life lived in the hard way
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The sun behind gray clouds is hidden away
On a typical windy and showery mid Winter's day
But a gray shrike thrush is whistling in the woodland nearby
A voice that one does not often hear in July
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To be different from most should never be a crime
Reflecting on what others think of you seems a waste of time
Since it should not be your business what others think of you or say
Just do your own thing and live in your own way
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In the late nineteen sixties to the eighties a man among men
But many changes and a lot has happened since then
And many things Have happened in the World since he was in his prime
The ex champion shearer is showing the wear of time
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It is said of death only the fear is to fear
That this is a saying with truth in it seems obviously clear
But one consolation in this we are born to die
A fact of our existence and fact never lie
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Living life should not be about of how wealthy a person you are
Or of the size of your home or of the size of your car
Or if you are one of those who is known far and wide
Though this to many makes for a sense of pride
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Little Johnny a dark brown shetland pony with large spots of gray
Is friendly towards people not shy in any way
Every time i walk past the paddock he lives in he comes to the fence as if to say good day
Though without a companion he seems happy and doing quite okay
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Though time that rusts iron has become your foe
Your past it is with you from the long ago
For as long as your gift of memory you retain
Memories of what was in you will remain
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For the greed of humanity the price is huge to pay
More creatures becoming endangered of extinction every day
More birds and animals dispossessed where old growth trees are cut down
To make room for industrial development in every city and town
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He is nicknamed The Know All since he believes he knows everything
And his own praises he is one who loves to sing
But his only claim to local renown
Is that he is one of the best known braggarts of the town
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