Francis Duggan Poems

The daughter of Mrs and Mr Peter Looney of Millstreet Town's Minor Row
The recently deceased Margaret Looney Smyth and her deceased brother Michael i used to know
When i was much younger ten years or so
Back in the nineteen fifties a long time ago
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Some men they have climbed to the summit of fame
But for one crime or other plummeted to the depths of shame
And spend years of their lives behind a locked prison gate
For to pay for their sins as guests of the State
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He sang The Boys Of Wexford, Spancil Hill and Skibbereen
And Carrigdhoun, Carrickfergus and The Wearing Of The Green
Molly Malone and Slievenamon And The Rose Of Tralee
Lovely Leitrim, Are You Right There Michael and The Hills Of Knocknashee
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In life i have been lucky in many a way
In the beautiful people i meet every day
People who are quite compassionate and kind
To sow the seeds of good they are readily inclined
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At the large numbers of them one one only can stare
In their range starlings are birds that will never be rare
At twilight in huge flocks to their roosting trees they do fly
As the shades of evening are darkening the sky
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The Pride of Kanturk from home is far away
She lives by the Yarra in Melbourne today
Happy in her life and feeling quite well
At the weekend she dances and socializes at the Normandy Hotel
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James one of the wealthiest men of the Town
From his lofty material perch of late has come crashing down
Behind prison bars he is locked away
Caught for double dipping as one might say
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A beautiful person this rhyme penned in her honor
Mamie the wife of the late Eddie O Connor
She raised a large family of girls and boys that numbered eleven
If there is a hereafter her soul is in heaven
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To many i am just another old timer
One of little talent an ordinary rhymer
On my life's journey a few poets i may have befriended
But to be a poet myself i have never once pretended
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Why ask how it feels for to feel free
Of a very inhibited fellow like me
Who never does wish to stand out in a crowd
Of such an inhibition one not ought to feel proud
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