Francis Duggan Poems

Dave Sheehan worked for the Cork County Council and I'd known him since I was a Primary school going boy
A gentle soul one who kept a low profile and one might say he would not harm a fly
All those he came in contact with seemed to like him and a bad word of him not one had to say
For a big family a good bread winner and he worked hard till his retirement day.
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The birds sing in the Parkland at Boolara the Gippsland Village some might call a Town
And recent rains has brought green to the high paddocks those hills that in the Summer looked so brown
And wattlebirds cackle on the acacias and deciduous leaves turn brown as they prepare to fall
To Mother Earth the mum of Mother Nature the generous one who provides for us all.
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Farewell to High Tree Travel Towers I hate these last goodbyes
For the very thought of leaving bring teardrops to my eyes
And though with some of my ex work mates I did not see eye to eye
We did not have much common ground still they are good as I.
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He had his chance to show mercy just a few short years ago
For to spare the life of a condemned woman who was waiting on death row
Yet he refused her a reprieve and mercy to her did not show
Don't tell me of George W Bush 'mate' of him I already know.
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I remember in December it was cold and wet and gray
And I hope you keep the peat fire burning for to keep the chill away
From the lounge room and the bedroom you need warmth this time of year
Don't think I could live in Ireland I've got used of living here.
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She sits on a timber seat in her back garden
The birds are singing on the sunlit trees
And the pleasant aroma of the flowers and roses
Come wafting to her in the gentle breeze.
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They ask about Serena where is she now they say
She's not been seen in Victoria or Melbourne for many a day
She's living with her lover and doing quite okay
In Dunedin in New Zealand so many miles away.
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The life support and sustenance of many a forest tree
It flows down through the undergrowth that reach up to the knee
From upper Selby through the wood by Puffing Billy track
The wood birds bathe in Selby creek and wash their wings and back.
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Anthony's carers were going dancing and one of them asked her man
Will you take care of Anthony for four or five hour span
He's such a dear young fellow and good company for you
And where better place to spend the day than at the Royal Park Zoo.
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They did not have the chance to even say
We love you dear before she went away
Into that World where human spirits go
The place of which no mortal seems to know.
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