Out Of Ireland Poem by Francis Duggan

I have been out of Ireland for thirty three years
And for the what used to be i have shed my last tears
But the memories in me today does remain
Of places and faces i may not see again

Time has left me balding with hair of silver gray
And clearly i have known of a far better day
But i have not forgotten my friends of the past
And despite the passing of the Seasons the mental images of themdoes last

Fond memories of what was are mine to enjoy
Of where i grew to love Nature when i was a boy
When i visualize distance disappear
And the song of the robin in fancy i hear

The old fields i loved that meant so much to me
Are with me today in my memory
The groves of the bullfinch and waterways of the brown trout
Are living in me in this Land of the south

I am at least four decades beyond my life's prime
And i have been out of Ireland for quite a long time
And though time that rusts iron has become my foe
I retain fond memories of the long ago.