Patricia Mchugh Poem by Bill Dureen

Nobody knew Patricia McHugh
Like Declan McPhee
And his brother
Me

We lived on the same street
Used to meet to play games
Make up fake names and what not
She was our friend till the end

Even in winter we'd brave the cold
Hold each others' hands
As we skated on the frozen pond
No magic wand could separate us

Until one day

Patty was skating alone
In areas unknown while we rested
We fearfully watched her carefree abandon
"Patty, you're too far from land on both sides"

We yelled "Get back here! "
A terrifying fear grew within us
We heard a crack and the hairs
On the back of our necks stood up

Patty had disappeared
The ice had sheared and she'd fallen
Into the pond
No friendly bond could save her

"Patty" we screamed to no avail
Stood there pale and helpless
Then ran back to civilization
The realization sinking in

She was gone forever
No brotherly endeavour would've changed fate
Now her spirit's still there
Lingering in the air above the pond

that took her

Nobody knew Patricia McHugh
Like Declan McPhee
And his brother
Me