Jim's Last Walk Poem by Francis Duggan

A chill was in the morning air and rain clouds in the sky
As he left his home for a short walk to the small wood nearby
Breakfast in a half an hour dear his young wife to him said
Though her he did not seem to hear strange thoughts were in his head.

Two hours went by his worried wife she rung the man next door
She said Jim has not returned for his breakfast he has never done this before
His neeighbour went up to the wood called out his name though no reply
But as he walked into the wood he sensed death's presence nigh.

From an oak tree branch he saw his neighbour dangling from a rope
He had arrived too late to be of help of reviving him no hope
And it was left to him to take the sad news to the dead man's wife
That her husband only of two months had taken his own life.

The wind blew from the north country and rain clouds gathered above the hill.
And as he walked the pathway to the wood the air had a heavy chill
It was the last time he would walk along the woodland track
For he knew as he was leaving home he would not be coming back.