Francis Duggan Poems

Nelson Mandela as a person and a political leader was a true great
But he is no longer living for to celebrate
And apart from Angela Merkel who deserves to be held in high esteem
Not many others deserve to be rated is how it does seem
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From their northern breeding grounds in the early Fall they take to wing
And fly towards their wintering beaches in the southern Spring
The mystery of their long journeys quite an amazing thing
These tiniest of migratory waders the brown and gray sanderling
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To each other why cannot be compassionate and kind
Instead of flaws in one another seeking to find
There is more to living than for the me, myself and i
Sadly there are those who believe that kindness and compassion are based on a lie
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The one without fear may be short lived indeed
Since to survive to an old age some fear one does need
Many of the fearless at a young age does die
To say those with some fear outlive them is not telling a lie
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Though only your first people some of your ways understand
Australia you are such a beautiful Land
And i an outsider you only can admire
And of singing your praises i never could tire
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A hero to many you well may be
But only the positive side of you they does see
They applaud you as a high achiever to the fore
And the narcissistic side to you they tend to ignore
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Those who think they are somebodies become bodies one day
For there are no somebodies where bodies lay
And a body without life can never become a somebody again
That we all eventually become bodies as a fact remain
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Of his travels he has many stories to tell
Of his better years when he was feeling well
When he worked on building sites in many a big town
Back in the days when his hair was light brown
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There are a few anti heroines and anti heroes in every town
Who will never even know of local renown
The good deeds they perform in their words they undo
In every anti heroine and anti hero of sides there are two
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On the material ladder of success you have climbed far
And many do tell you of how great you are
But among your admirers do you have one true friend
If your luck in life changed on whom you could depend
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