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Invisible Mending

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Poems celebrating and commemorating lives now gone
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Belfast Lapwing
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Page 1: Invisible Mending

Belfast

Lapwing

Page 2: Invisible Mending

_____________________

INVISIBLE MENDING

JOHN O’MALLEY

Belfast

LAPWING

Page 3: Invisible Mending

First Published by Lapwing Publicationsc/o 1, Ballysillan Drive

Belfast BT14 [email protected]

www.lapwingpoetry.com

Copyright © John O’Malley 2012Copyright Cover Image ‘Big Tree’ © Conor O’Malley 2012

All rights reservedThe author has asserted her/his right under Section 77

of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988to be identified as the author of this work.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.A catalogue record for this book is available from

the British Library.

Since before 1632The Greig sept of the MacGregor ClanHas been printing and binding books

Lapwing Publications are printed at Kestrel Print Unit 1, Spectrum Centre

Shankill Road Belfast BT13 3AA028 90 319211

E:[email protected] in Belfast at the Winepress

Set in Aldine 721 BT

ISBN 978-1-907276-97-2

ii

Page 4: Invisible Mending

CONTENTS

40FOLLOW YOUR DREAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39FATTY CAME OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38FAMILY STUFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37EXCITEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36DEMENTIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35DEADLY SILENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34COMING DOWNSTAIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33CLOCKING IT UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32CLIFF WALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31CASTLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION . . . . . . . .

29CARTOON TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27CANNOT COMPLAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26CAN’T BE SURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25CAN’T STAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24BUILDING A BIKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23BONA MORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22BLOKE TALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE . . . . . . . . . . .

20BE SATISFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19BANGING THE TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18BAFFLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17BAD BREATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16BACK TO TORONTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15AWARENESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14ATTEMPTS AT WHAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13ALWAYS A NEW MYTHOLOGY . . . . . . . .

12ALMOST MISTAKEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11ALL THE DEADLY SINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10ALL BIG STADIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9ADVICE TO A LADY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8A FAMILY WEDDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7A BETTER WAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

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76TIME STANDING STILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

75THIRTY YEARS ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

74THE MIRROR AND THE LAMP . . . . . . . . .

73THE INTERNAL DIALOGUE . . . . . . . . . . .

71THE DRUMMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

70TALES OF DEVILMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

69SYMPATHICO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

68SOUTHEND ROUTINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

67SOMETHING COMES UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66SIDE ALTARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65SHOPPING BAG POEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64SELF HARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

63RIDDLE ME RIDDLERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62RESEMBLANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

61REJECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60OUT OF THE DIOCESE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

59NOT ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE . . . . .

58MY BEST SELLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57MORNING CUPPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56MILFORD AT ITS BEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55MARK THE OCCASION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54MAMMY – COMING UP TO CHRISTMAS .

53MAKE EACH DAY COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52LOOKING FOR WHAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51LOOKING FOR A SONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50LIKE A BRIAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

49LAST FULL DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48INVISIBLE MENDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR . . . . . . . . .

46IN THE SACRISTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45HELLO MY DARLINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44HARDLY A LIBRARY MAN . . . . . . . . . . . .

43HAPPY DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42GETTING READY FOR LIFE . . . . . . . . . . .

41FOR TRUTH TO TELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iv

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84THE CORPSE HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

83WHAT KIND OF OLD PERSON . . . . . . . . .

82GET YOUR CHANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81DON’T BE AFRAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80WORTH DOING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

79WHAT IRISH EMIGRANTS MISS MOST . .

78UP AGAINST IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

77TO HAVE BEEN A CHILD . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v

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i.m.Margaret (nee Hourigan) O’Malley

1913 - 1911

vi

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A BETTER WAY

Outside of yourselfthe people that love youmost and leave you alone

the doctors who send mefor blood tests, chest x-rays, ecgs.Monitored as well as can be expected.

The elderly share more than we care to admit:Ailments – children – grandchildren Friends – all those precious visits.

In good and bad weather.They all come back – pay off.Nothing has to rhyme.

John O’Malley

7

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A FAMILY WEDDING

I know what black tie looks likeWe called them monkey suits

Tall fellas are only clothes horsesIn those days it was known

To keep the hired garmentFor over a week almost sleep

In it – not saying we all did –Wore a hired dress suit

On our first date – time issuesBoys and girls learning

Then stopping the drink –Keeping an eye on things

Lots of lads like meMeet them all the time

It’s simple really – careers suggestYou learn early how to say

Yes to the good thingsDiscern later when to say no.

Invisible Mending

8

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ADVICE TO A LADY

On this blustery nightCould hardly rain again

Talks of rare coal fireInstead chance the cold

Old newspapers blowingRead “better conditions

For prisoners” the wind Whistling –attempting

A decision to convince My old self I will not

Write again-but on I goSufficient light to see

Yonder –folks worse offSome I become close to

Seriously for my intimate friendBe good as I carry on regardless.

John O’Malley

9

Page 11: Invisible Mending

ALL BIG STADIA

Public transport a must – walk a mileMeet the very same guy we met EamonLives near Paddy at home in Listowel

He taught special needs – knows my friend’sGood qualities – gives us a lift throughThe sea of colour-in our places before

The teams run out to a cacophony of sound.Spine tingling –Fifth Floor Premium seatsWoe betide if you misread your section

Or your seat number-the voucher for foodMeans you go a secret corridor downTo the next floor –The Hogan Mezzanine

Food Hall is empty at half time-it’s expensiveNo time to sit down and be back in time All that food going to waste –can’t find

Our way back up the exit doors locked –Bouncers don’t want to know-pass John O’Shea he has many mouths to feed.

The Goalie man has seen enoughThankfully smokers break out On another floor glad to get a cup of tea

Invisible Mending

10

Page 12: Invisible Mending

ALL THE DEADLY SINS

Reminders of immortalityHearing Bill Long’s posthumous

Voice then being gifted with his bookWhere he interviews rich and famous

All nice guys deep down – just like LarryWho shows me the soccer programmes

Famous matches indeed the ones beforeAnd after the Munich Disaster….

I too collected programmes – Sam BrownWas my man around the back – swapped

For Charlie Buchan’s Monthly – momentsWhere you rubbed shoulders with the greats

John O’Malley

11

Page 13: Invisible Mending

ALMOST MISTAKEN

Dan the rapper took the trouble to textNearly did not get to meet him

There was a Henner on in AshtownI had to collect and mind people

By accident and misstexting I managedTo meet the old work colleague

Find each friend is so specialThen when opportunity knocks

Share as much as is reasonably appropriateTell the part of the tale that is interesting

To yourself and generally valuableAs a career benchmark down the line

Invisible Mending

12

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ALWAYS A NEW MYTHOLOGY

So many older men like myself –Life expectation goes on and on.Nurses like yourself keeping us alive

Alive oh – Malachi up in BanksFourth floor on the BeaumontWalk up, do me good – so they say…

Operation Transformation – happy with 17ATommy Broughan looks after the geriatricHence no young Labour Revolution

My pal waffles on about cycling to ConnemaraAll the policies that failed since the FoundationOf the State – lots of harmless yarns – more innocent

Times – even benign, the less well off were taken care of –Cultural expression as Gaeilge – everyone lovedThat bit of independence – the slagging was huge

We look out over Lambay, Ireland’s EyeThat’s Howth over there-he has no interestLoves hearing sound of his own voice.

John O’Malley

13

Page 15: Invisible Mending

ATTEMPTS AT WHAT?

Getting in touch with something tangibleAll the world and its mother – my own failing

Coming up to a century of toughing it out –This man alongside me repairing a side fence

He went missing the weekend – assumedIt was Spain – certain sameness surrounds

Us blurting out the minimum detailsSitting on the freshly varnished bench

He won’t even spell out the dead man’sName – we are so ashamed of events

Completely outside our control –The effect it has on us – work –

Sweat some more – drink somethingA little stronger than tea – love everyone

Living as they walk and talk – the unnamedOne has decided to keep his Secret forever

Invisible Mending

14

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AWARENESS

The extraordinary value of commitmentTo a cause that loosens up the mind

On the last Sunday of the monthHolding on until the text comes

We are leaving London HeathrowBe in at ten – go to departures two

Black ice here and there, lo the newBuilding that was not there last time

A tail wind brought ye in aheadOf schedule – the mighty hugs – relief.

Though you are tired in great humourLooking forward to the next challenge

In laughter like Uncle Singh the absurdityThat is found throughout a place called

India – that’s a good few of us Have sampled the experience

Despite Delhi belly and long dustyJourneys – lived to tell the tales

John O’Malley

15

Page 17: Invisible Mending

BACK TO TORONTO

Second time round from MontrealCame through Cabbagetown

Irish built this place, now the housesLook art deco – must have done well

No more interesting race than usPost famine, building Basilicas

The guide hands it up to usYou will never beat the Irish

Beautiful ornate staircasesTravelling leads to pressure

When we don’t get off the merry-Go-round, have to keep talking

When the shops close – Mike And I take in the sights

I always find a church openFew of the colonies lack

Churches of all sizes built When we had little but Faith

in strange and wonderful placesgift in itself-a glow and a treat

Each town is glorious in its simpleDifference: something for learning

Invisible Mending

16

Page 18: Invisible Mending

BAD BREATH

From Scartaglen to ManhattanPoor thing gave her all – waitressing

I had three hours dental treatmentSo I have become extra sensitive

Her breath was overpoweringAs she explained tipping strategies

Businessmen holding up tablesGiving cents when she could have earned

Fifty bucks if she were the ownerOnce or twice she acted – almost

Lost her job – we whiled away Our journey time as she regaled

Me with Jewish meanness yarnsIn Florida caught by ski cops

As her employer broke the limitTo get the free fruit juice

John O’Malley

17

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BAFFLING

In Talbot Street you were rushing over to Merchant’s RoadWe were going to have a bite in 101 a party for Michael D.Who until today seemed unassailable as Presidential material

This election campaign went on too long – people now optingFor the younger man – that night Daughter you were visited With a fainting fit – which led to the removal of a tumour

You were the lucky one Emer that you had ChrissieWith you that night as you convulsed – you now knowWith proper medication there is no mystical visitation

Though our panic to get to the Mater that night subsidedWhat an extraordinary life you lead – I don’t say this as dotingDad but dealing with all the challenges leading you to Rome

Invisible Mending

18

Page 20: Invisible Mending

BANGING THE TABLE

She never understood why I got worked upI do and I did – even today seeing my son

Suffer – oh and we chatting he is in loveAnd so am I and we are not in denial.

He loves the lovely Spanish LadyI am sure I love his mother after

All these years – she loves me backRarely does a lad ask his Dad

Well for advice – I could demurI have seen the scar on his belly

There since the op – he was ten days oldWho is and is not a chip off the old block

Oh the weight of knowing – sponging offLittle bits of knowledge – can’t be praying

All the time hope others’ work comes trueAnd go away and rest awhile – it works

John O’Malley

19

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BE SATISFIED

I am often visited by friendsI do it myself – let off steam

Palpable anger sometimesPeople losing jobs – homes

In negative equity – listenTo the future plans hope

The economy picks upWe have worked our way

Through toughest of timesEager to help every stray

The way the money goesNot fair to spouse – working mother

To consult before making rashDecisions or giving stuff away

Use the talent God givesThe rest must follow

Invisible Mending

20

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BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE

Few cars on the road – too much spicyFood in the stomach – Mammy movesTo Milford House to the Blue nuns –

This moving from one place to anotherAt ninety eight years of age unavoidable –Aware forever of lost property issues

Frustrating ringing phones that don’t answerYet if you meet the right uniformed officerNo better men to oblige than public servants

I give you books-once more you are out of houseAnd home – then myself on the way back up between Luas – bus-train – more small gifts mislaid

We discuss our small and large gainsLiving in this house over 36 yearsMost of us around here moved once

From temporary accommodation rememberingBeing broken into once or twice – amazingThe effect breaking and entering has-on our psyche

John O’Malley

21

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BLOKE TALK

Our conversations generallyHinge around matches – wives

Bad decisions we were forced intoAgainst our better judgement

It’s a minor skirmish comparedTo a public spat-poor style

Not anticipating shut mouthForget the anticipated disagreement

Win – win insists you give inEven before you are precise

Late or early it’s all the oneIf you never get there only

A date or a better or worse hairDay – see or do something – conflict

Only arises when you cut looseNot caring whether you win or lose

Invisible Mending

22

Page 24: Invisible Mending

BONA MORS

Obsessions come in shoalsSandwiches, books for the journeyWater in bottles and rain coats

Almost forgot my plugged in mobileGot Mass in the Lourdes chapelFather Joe Young preaching on gratitude

Fair auld theme when like it or noWe’re never ready to be buriedOnly preparing to die in our own bed

There used to be a SodalityBefore tablets became availableFr Conor Naughton an ascetic

Had special devotions for a happy deathMany Limerick ladies went-never foughtNever worried about Breast Check, drank or smoked

John O’Malley

23

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BUILDING A BIKE

Almost got your birth number correctOnly the one year out of place

The back roads up to Howth VillageLots of stone walls and timber seats

All the way round twice from BaldoyleThe rain holds off – breakfast outside

Laugh with Paul Gaffney jestingHe worked for Larry O’Grady

Not the other way round Friendly people are few

Has to be no relation – can’t find themesFrom nowhere – easily thrown around

With folk who belong to a traditionThere is Frank Gaffney making light

Of Parkinson’s disease-can cycleThough wobbly walking – courage

From a life with the Ramblers ClubHe rarely missed a Sunday when not

Working – long hours in Leo LaboratoriesA long way home after double shifts

Invisible Mending

24

Page 26: Invisible Mending

CAN’T STAY

She had this notion a taste of gooseFrom November on we scarcely discussed

Anything else through all the floods whereTo find a goose it was good humoured

Did we know anyone that keeps geeseGreat pity to see the poor creatures

Locked in a cage – pick one you canHave it killed – plucked – ready for the oven

Yesterday the poor frozen creatureCut in two – my mother won’t have reheats

I have to get back to Dublin a little matterOf a grandson – he may have conjunctivitis

And I have some other things to doArising out of this awful budget

Then there is the book launchArranging a venue – yet I can smell

The goose grease I’m told MotherIs boiling the remains – too tough for words

John O’Malley

25

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CAN’T BE SURE

On a busy Saturday desperatelyTrying to get it all in – the rugby

That for some reason did not makeIt on to any national network – savage

To disallow Michael Corcoran commentary –How we were destroyed in New Zealand.

Need to sit down and recite my few linesBefore I quietly expire – blessing on the Jesuit

Fathers for keeping the Oratory Ajar notThat there is ever many clamouring to enter –

As You Like It – in the campanile – gates Not open – an Elizabethan pageant

In the open air – such energy – need to takeSanctuary to simply sit down and rest

If I get the buzz back the poetry And the actors do the rest – no rain

To bother a couple of hundred of usWe enjoyed Love and Madness

On balance for this old soldierBeats subtitles and a scary plot

Invisible Mending

26

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CANNOT COMPLAIN

The way things drift and shape usPull all the books off the shelves

From Chardin to Kipling to Sean Treacy –They accent it Tracy around Nenagh

Just to emphasise the point WillieWhom I had not laid eyes on for fifty

Years came over to me as if it was onlyYesterday – we had a conversation

But it is artificial all the revisitingWe are nearly old men – good

In some ways to go back to long ago –But our lives are down – nearly over

John O’Malley

27

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CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

David Wallace seriously reflective as a player Injured – maturely went through the rule bookAs she stands today – ok – game ruined as a spectacle

No excuses back home none of the Homes everGoing to live with the Kiwis – we all dreamedOf a final – heroically losing – not this way.

No glory in defeat – yellow or red – six yellowsAll adds up – our production line not fast enoughWe learn by development even brave referees

The madness of lifting dropping what is intentional?Rugby players mean bastards – Rolland got it just rightI would like my grand children to play a safer game

Invisible Mending

28

Page 30: Invisible Mending

CARTOON TIME

Leaving the wee man to the RoyalNursery – not a problem with issues

Of security those hazel eyesThe greetings “hello Charlie”

Charming two year old plusI made the mistake of waiving his siesta

We paid a big price on energy levelsThe swings and slides finished both

Old man or tired child no noveltyLearnt to go with the sad flow

Eventually the lad gives in – know betterTo make sure he catches afternoon nap

John O’Malley

29

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CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION

Colm walking badly, limping down to shelters,Lady mad for a chat, complaining towel wetFrom the day before – set me on my way

Wondering about several friends myselfIncluded – who choose to swim year roundWhy do we do it – bravado, the thrill

Sensation of cold water, good for the heartBetter circulation on one condition alone:The sun must provide sufficient heat

To warm your body up – there is an age factorNo doubt – seaweed, no jellyfish attached – pleasing –I moved to indoor pools for a year or two

Then that had to go – dossing in saunas Whirlpools, Jacuzzis no swimming pool –Reckoned more chances of skin diseaseUnless our climate changes for long periodsAssure you lads wet suits the only answer

Invisible Mending

30

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CASTLES

Never being an AristocratFind purchasing fraught –

Trying to break into publishingNeed to become a subscriber

To many quirky magazines –Loving poetry need not

Be too expensive –There is always a deal

Don’t like to be seen negotiatingToo crassly – it’s the Sterling

You can have PayPalOr even send cash

No cheques or drafts –I want the books to learn

How to go about the businessEnjoy reading the opposition

At worst see what gets throughEven a rough diamond like myself

Needs some self screeningWe’re no patriots on our own

Every time we pick up a penHeaven only knows how easy

It is to mislead ourselves as to The value of what we are doing

Such a pecking order need to Pickup a few tips to continue

John O’Malley

31

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CLIFF WALK

Since coming to townSo much of life tied up

In this Holy PlaceWhether up here

Or down around the harbourProposed to herself up here

Used to come up to the SummitFelt it was the top of the world

Even when we had very littleTried to do the courting properly

Nicely in happiness do tryTo be generous with another

Could mature into loveAnd it does, if you aren’t

Mean about spending moneyOr don’t spend it all on drink

Invisible Mending

32

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CLOCKING IT UP

Keeping a car twelve yearsDemands a backward glance

I fondly look at the fileA year on – thousands

Of miles where did we go –Those tiny parts requiring

Replacement, washers and plugsOil changes – such reverence

Respect for mechanics – argumentsRaged amongst ourselves

When are you getting a new carIt gave up several times was towed

I never lost heart – through exhaustsBad luck – never had a puncture

Learnt terms did not understandBought new parts from dismantlers

Always value for money – movedFurniture – electrics – providing

She was roadworthy we travelledOn battery changes –new tyres

Maybe four tow a ways-sixteenMajor services over the years

John O’Malley

33

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COMING DOWNSTAIRS

Her washing scattered around for our niecethe carer to bring some order to the front room

Her Dad driving up from CaherdanielTo make sure mother won’t miss Mass

In the local parish church – see the statueFrom the backroom window – hear her

Moving around below – it’s only after six –My night on as dutiful son – sufficient

To bring me down at first light pencilAnd paper in hand-acknowledging

The great life she led throughoutMost of the last century – love for our Dad

Mentioned – he is quietly missed.As a game we add up his years

Allowing their lives to become Potted history projects…

Sitting in the good room waitingFor rain to come….

Invisible Mending

34

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DEADLY SILENCE

Blue skies suddenly disappearedGreyness mirrors my mood

Visit to Church Committee room Something I have to cover for Paddy

Here comes the sunshine time to takeThe last election results, sympathise –

Get to know the victors – enjoy The honeymoon period getting real –

Size one another up – the hunger for officeThe Loony left have a few more

Big days organising at the drop of a hatThis is our glorious system – satisfaction

At such massive melt down – excitementTo see what can be done without losing the head

John O’Malley

35

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DEMENTIA

Tied for time, say what’sOn your mind – all the fearsOf years – Mam’s poor head –

Can’t have hair done – scabs not prettyTo look at – on a one to oneThe privilege of just being there

Sun shining early – no looking backHarsh words understood –Take out no bad feeling from anger

Rollover, push on – provide our ownDo it yourself kit-keep the diary up to dateTo see if things can be quickened up.

All the untidy sarcasm between her sonsWon’t ever take away health and safetyIssues – why she would prefer to light gas ring

From the concealed gas fire with a taper –The tablets to be swallowed down – lookLight at the end of the garden

Invisible Mending

36

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EXCITEMENT

Hardly able for the comings and goingsTo the Airport – now ye off to Paris

Great to see you both so wellThanks for inviting me to the session

Brief as it was I could close the eyesMarvel at two blind Swiss girls

Playing Irish music in a houseMidday today in Foxfield

When nothing much works think of themWarming up on fiddle and tin whistle

Easy questions – captive audienceMiracles do happen right in front of our eyes

John O’Malley

37

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FAMILY STUFF

Putting in place people who will look After our Mother becomes difficult

As the siblings squabble over whoIs included or excluded jealousies

Surface as old wounds bleedThe person who did the bandaging

No longer able or allowedTo act the matriarch – seems

We are obliged to leave our own Needs aside how to achieve

For me is shrouded in mysteryA way forward slippery – unknown

Invisible Mending

38

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FATTY CAME OFF

When the lights came upIn the Lyric – Savoy – ColiseumTivoli – Royal – Grand Central

We could have some sortOf a say, impressed withWhat we saw on the screen.

We were generally boysBeaten into good mannersCockney boys in the audience

Had plenty to say – “lookMates he has scoffed the lot” –Old fatty came off his horse

Some of the lads not playing Games had issues with weight,Without walking or playing games

John O’Malley

39

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FOLLOW YOUR DREAM

Tried to get through earlier –That funny old phone system

To no avail this Bank HolidayAs Kerry tear up the form book

I hope you are making a goodRecovery – so much time spent

Coming and going to hospitals –On this the 150th of the Jesuits

Coming to keep us readingAnd writing – you took another

Great step for the likes of myselfConfirming a method by accident

Discovered on leaving schoolLet life question you intimately

As good as praying all the saintsBut do both if you can at ease

Invisible Mending

40

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FOR TRUTH TO TELL

Eating is not allowed in the libraryScenes of near tragedy – tired more

Than I know – up the wrong sideAt the Howth Road Junction

A warning sometimes to say noEven to a loving spouse

Leave the poetry books backTakeout a rake of biographies

Waiting in the Raheny LibraryMeet my son and my wife

Chance coffee and chatNo time to call on Deirdre

And Adrian who have massiveNews – baby Sophie born

By caesarean to Juanita and Paul –The good news to Mauritius

Parents to come over in a few monthsAnd Fulham keep on going….

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GETTING READY FOR LIFE

How does one prepare for a young man’s35th Birthday-go back to the warm day in Tinnerana, Lough Derg, on the Shannon

my Mammy saying “where were you, June’sgone into Holles Street” men not much usein any situations – maybe faint – Gerard

Drops me back to the street where I spent 22 happy tears working across the road –no paternity leave – take a few days off –

Begin by cleaning his name up from seagullDroppings with a lemon – what else – leaveFlowers at the Memorial find out what

Everyone else is doing – a vague tributeOf sorts one of our girls visits a friendIn St Pat’s Hospital – Dad pays the 2.20 euro

An hour, you would imagine – GovernorsWould welcome patient visits – never mindNor forget what a visit can do to the bewildered

No labels on the bag of beer the lads at sixteenTook to Kikmucridge – coincidence the beverageBought in Talbot St originated in Londis cheaper

Somewhere in Wexford – no plan – sort of homelessFor a night or two – Jackeen’s beer ran out – togethernessAs on your Anniversary – eating, listening to jazz

With lovely friends was all your coming of ageKevin – we fondly remember – happily all of usPoets are born out of teenage anxiety – as you smiled

You knew how good looking smart – wellCared for all those last tough couple of years –Meet us now London, Rome or back in Dublin

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HAPPY DAY

That’s me standing posingFirst Communion picture

I had a box of sweets all To myself to share as I please

The spire in the backgroundIs St Michael’s Church of Ireland.

I believed Jesus had comeInto my heart and soul

Those hymns last foreverThe holy pictures – the prayer

Booklet – how often I wouldKneel and repeat prayers

Those of the pious-visionary –Aunt Nonie she believed too

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HARDLY A LIBRARY MAN

In the writing of poetry as therapyRecall a red haired man named Lennon

A U.C.G. fellow under-grad pal of the BrainsMc Kiernan when all was sweet before

Paddy Mc Niece took his own poor life.We were great fellows in Goldhawk Road

Reheating Hungarian goulash out of tins,That John Lennon also a great debater

Persuaded this young pup to buy the books –Some lessons come off the back of a bus

Middle aged men read each others’ obitsSufficient energy to go into town –

Stay out of the cold say a prayerFor the love of good women

It’s about time to acknowledge we thoughtWe knew it all working in Walls,

Cadby Hall, Hammersmith going to the dogsOr the flicks to avoid getting hooked

On the drink – just enough confidenceTo travel come home – be less greedy

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HELLO MY DARLINGS

Sadly Charlie the service providerCancelled the conversation recorded

On our last visit but the good newsWas the joy the Dodo brought to us.

Now that I can ring you anytime and you meTry and get some sleep at night, every night

It does not come easy to some families –For your mom’s sake model yourself

On dad as a sleeper the best I can sayIs the complete set of snaps gone

In the afternoon post – all our loveLittle boy – look forward to meeting up

After Easter here or over thereBe as good as you always are chum

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IN THE SACRISTY

Up in Howth to meet MichaelGive him back his poemsJokey curate remarks on Bermudas

Not a serious punter all jokesI told him he had cursed meBy even mentioning Easter eggs

Before the event – must be the trainingAs an altar boy the ease with whichI make friends with clerics – realised

Their daily routine obsession With meal times not unlikeMy own mother – preparing food

All her life – keeping a good tableFor priest, child or relativeDinner usually in the middle of the day.

She loved her potato – something savoury.God her now different obsessions: listsOf things left behind – property, small

Little items in her own fair handPersonal religious objects: rosaryBeads, medals. Clothing down to colours –

Cardigans, tights all replaced over and overWhat is to become of the wardrobes fullOf her style since nineteen thirty-nine

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INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

We would all love to be seen to display fineTable manners say something nice when provoked

Not to be disturbing the peace, urinating in publicAlas the most appropriate response would seem

To be Silent – tend your garden properly,Keep friendly with the neighbours

Help survivors – ignore those who frownOn the homeless – desperately, sincerely

Hanging on to the Lord Jesus ChristIn the morning , afternoon, all night long.

Dealing with the crisis when it comes:Living alone or in relationship –

Bring to the Samaritan healing –Share the tragedy – ours alone to tell.

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INVISIBLE MENDING

Some dog’s escaped from Dawn ViewNear where Kevin’s bag was found

As maps can show it’s accurate –I can repair the poem if asked

Howth is our place of dreams.No nonsense nurse Mary

Goes up to meet June – dogsHeld up against the skyline

During the war years thatPlace served as a hospital –

Feel safe in our favourite placesIn those days survived on little

Sad times ignorant in waysMagic for the innocent coming along

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LAST FULL DAY

The old pair slept it inNow they rearrange the furnitureSadness for myself no more assist

From this end glasses washedCans and bottles in the bootThe flight in the early morning

Brighton not the end of the worldYour dream of becoming a nurseIn a real sense continuing

Men see the tradition carrying on a professionBut the smiling person underneathAs on that one day I visited you

Inside the main door in St Vincent’sSee you soon over in Southend Minding Charlie’s new little brother

So enjoy the privilege cardTravelling around-be our StarLeave the sauce with dinner

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LIKE A BRIAR

Coming from the twenty four hour shopLeaving the immigrants – the Pikies.

I can’t sense my own rage-lack of foodReminds me of a child in a cot staring

Into space – lost for I don’t know whatI punch in the wrong alarm code

Angry for no reason the moonNot an excuse, no reason to cut loose

Restraint is a bye word – seeingAnd not believing as health not great.

Cannot be taken for granted –Jesus, the grace to know to pray

Without self pity at this cruxIn my slow recovery – one for myself

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LOOKING FOR A SONG

The object of our exercisesLiving life to the full

Woke up to hear Brendan KennellyAdmitting to be a self confessed

Loner – where the loneliness vanishesTo wander – bump into other folks

Then to hear him come aliveProviding his service in dimpled

Shy smiles a God given CharismaticGift-lucky he was recognised

Early so he passed it on for yearsAs a mentor-tough on himself

To hide the grief insideHe got up and swore to be himself

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LOOKING FOR WHAT

Taking fresh air along Portmarnock –Training a trotting horse in out of the seaSix times he rides the horse in-breaking –

Training-slowly tough man – against The horse’s will – not ready yet To have the reins put on – won’t be forced

Between the shafts – far out a flotillaOf a smallish boats heading slowlyTowards Malahide in and out of the sun

Lambay gleams invitingly – the kioskOpens his doors to the town dwellersA few brave souls volunteer to go in

From the sheltered spot-hope the blubberKeeps them warm – that untrained horseCould do with a drink or a feed – some ordeal

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MAKE EACH DAY COUNT

The hospital corridors emptyA few of us trying to keep

The hospital handicapped troopOpen – one man was there for the long

Haul – we prayed for Michael earlyThis last day of June – the family there –

Tony the toughest cookie of the lotGot Michael’s fullest support

Right through the years ….The young fellow went wild

One night and I locking upHe was down on the tracks.

A free spirit pretending He was capable of looking

After himself – sadly withoutMichael, the system not sufficient

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MAMMY – COMING UP TO CHRISTMAS

She starts by saying “I’d love the taste of a goose”What’s behind this? I fondly ask. HerselfHer sisters out in the Yard or haggard.

Bringing home the geese-maybe the foxWas skulking around – Grandfather Had a gun – if I ask her again

She will say “what do want to know for”She writes all the time herself – in my boyishStyle I long to see her in her prime

Hanging out the washing – she alwaysSo busy-six children, the patientsThe maids, the babies, doctors and nurses.

Just now she is hesitant, uncertain –Afraid her mind is tricking her –The stuff that might be missing

All the damage done to her poor brainWatch all the tablets she has to takeHer endurance unbelievable

That cussed will power-we say the prayersShe can go astray but the gist of itIs never lost. It’s another world.

Our children had to move on.The carers are truly brilliant –I am just about hanging in.…

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MARK THE OCCASION

Our youngest called after Cory AquinoWho died after a long colon illness

She had become President of the PhilippinesWhen her husband was shot – very influential

Even after she stepped down, successfulWith street protests, keeping military

In their proper place – now my Cory great To have Daddy’s girl home again

Take your time sorting yourself outKeep the day job – I had a good few

Stopped counting a long time agohere I am, you can talk to me

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MILFORD AT ITS BEST

All of us gathered Pentecostal styleTo listen to Sinead and MarionReassuring us that our efforts

To care for Mammy were neverIn vain – it was never about moneySupporting each other, drawing

On the needed emotional strengthClarification aplenty – ways of listeningTo our mother cognitively impaired

No easy answers as our loss increasesHer power diminishing – good timesTrying to explain what is happening

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MORNING CUPPA

My last cup before we partCarer regaling Mammy and me –

Stomach churning stuffOne of us mentioned nits –

Off she went describingThis beautiful child

Titian hair flowing down –Underneath walking with head

Lice – her mother suffering From depression – immediately

Transferred to hospital – Pauline Asked to don gloves and white coat

Refused – not to frighten the childIndian doctor has a look – promises

To come back in a minute – holdingA Tesco jar of mayonnaise – applies

Most of the contents – child is relievedOf the mass of insects – we finish

Our coffee – I ask Pauline to checkEamon cutting the grass – has he moved

The garden furniture – I’m on my wayMammy off to respite – break over

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MY BEST SELLER

To be booked into the home placeIn somewhere called Listowel

Never to forget the skill of a J.B. KeaneYet startled more than ever

By words – reviews – intellectuals.Oh it’s grievous to take what happens

Too seriously as the flotillas move away –The N.G.O.’s cry out for a plan for Haiti.

Where do we start to build again?They say money will do it and yet

It never seems to really lift the poor.Indifference, greed – there are the committedFew who try and lead after such disasters

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NOT ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE

Early Friday morning BalubaSent for a comb for sortingLadies hair – shops don’t open yet.

Beautiful Indian Lady not an employeeAmazed in mini Boots shop to findNo combs for sale-strange stock on High St.

Buses go to Golder’s Green from Pilgrim LaneJohn Keats sent us a very sunny day indeed.

To sit on the seat on the main street Meet my son soon to share his storiesInterviewing writers where else – Hampstead

Heath – now coming to meet his Ma and Pa.Kind Brendan gave us a free gaff – took inUp market cinematic experience never saw

The like serving drinks as you enjoy latestOffering – we had supper and walkaboutThe place to be lots of lively young things

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OUT OF THE DIOCESE

John Kiernan married Mary HayesNewtown Gore to KilmihillI stayed with them in Seven Kings

Memory takes me over – RobinPhoning me in Lourdes, John died.Here goes the relations, the friends

The Rumbold’s – Birmingham’sMr Currie the landlord anotherFailed project: Holy Pictures.

Can’t name them all – young manFull of himself setting up pintsIn St Anthony’s Club on Hurling All

Ireland Final Day – Tipp must have beenOn the Sacred Sod – Mick HanleyInvolved in all that success – failure.

Drink played a major part in everythingWe said or did – from Myles’s bottleOf wine every night – all my life

Eccentricity the name of the gameBrentwood Diocese – St Bart’s Copy BooksTeaching and religion – God Help Us

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REJECTION

If we added up the time spentDiscussing our feelings of rejection

It would be a lovely holiday indeed.So easy to dwell on the negative

For form’s sake we adapt a dialogueWith one another – when it suits

Ignore another’s constant need To be looked out for – watched

Until such time as we are well again –Disappointment in the Arts is par

For life’s course as we forever postpone Values of truth and honesty that hurt –

Take the coverage of Bloody SundayHow down here we could look on

Wonder at the conflict – how to contain itMake sure it does not spill over the Border

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RESEMBLANCES

Caught Chrissie at a busy time –So much of the past comes backLike a letter from Kevin to Granny

Never saw this one before –Written from the Hospital:Such optimism on his side

Did not the doctors say soonHe would be off all medicationThat’s all he wanted – to be well again

Looking through all the photosSo many features in your ladsLook alike afternoon – on my own,

Must be missing the real starsChatting to Charlie not the sameAs a visit to swings and slides

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RIDDLE ME RIDDLERS

Final decision, public readingNo more Senior Gaelic or HurlingTeams to distract – no excuses

Can’t blame the Ma’s carersLocke’s Bar – White HouseMissed opportunities –

The Autumn of our livesCelebrate some Italian MartyrRed all over the Peoples Park

My most brilliant front garden.Growing up in 19 Barrington StreetLimerick’s boast with our Love

Of good Literature-the gates The flowers – bandstand beautifullyRestored – public toilets closed

Perfectly good port-a-loos – readingWith Jake Hogan at last – old schoolChum took us long enough to get

It all together – thanks DominicTerri and the crew – Mammy hale and heartyNinety-nine years coming up

The privilege of coming home:Great venue Foley’s upstairsWriters hearing each others’ work

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SELF HARM

At the time we knew little enoughLearnt as we observed – never forgetThat initial sight of his arms

Destroyed with detergentFrom the wash up – Kevin saidHe was bullied – they wouldn’t

Provide him with gloves –What we didn’t realiseAnother sufferer showed

Kevin how to cut his skin To witness such an eventEven a decade on is fearful

His skin pock markedHis thoughts hauntedI only got a vague notion

What these messagesWere trying to conveyWe met every day –

“Annihilation” was the nearestHe came to explainWhat was coming up

In the dark recessesThat bewildermentRemained to the end

It tore him downAs if wolves wereComing after him

All the way up the hillBalscadden final stop

“Dear Jesus, thanks for small insightInto what went on with Poor Man”

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SHOPPING BAG POEM

Think you have a business drivingMiss Daisy – parked outside the PavilionsSwords you know – first stop Donaghmede

To collect the keys from Thelma to getThe old girl’s purse –I wrap up for a snoozeAlmost clipped from the inside – last serious

Shopping – back on the M 1 no great panicTo grab a bottle of water at Tesco Extra –A new store invites June – Home Something

Or other – Mary has the lunch ready no moreLunches served in Donore Village Pub – backOn the motorway to Clare Hall Tesco – Kay’s

Kitchen serve beautiful coffee-must be nearlyClosing time but hardly for the Giant TescoHere we are safe and sound for the Results

A couple of days to debate how much fitsIn two carry on bags – the girls skypeAs the frost eases off – more thawing sunshine

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SIDE ALTARS

The secular priests when we were altar boysCame into say Mass in the alcove altars

We got well tipped from the men on retreatMaybe taking in their game of golf

Walking on the beech – recreation An important part of the break

Some took a supply break in the U.K.Or on the Continent – that way brushing up

On a language – many of these men taught In schools or seminaries – the religious

Had so many outlets for chaps with degreesA numbers game kept laity in their place

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SOMETHING COMES UP

With so much free travel –Stations great places to sit –Your coffee cup and favourite

Well thumbed book, announcements Blur, when you do turn up we had timeTo catch the direct – I hesitated then ran

The lad had the green flag – no cursingThe next one non-stop – we are allowedOn even though the cleaners not done.

My sister shows me see the swans at night:Such majesty worth coming for – especiallyAs the they sleep on, in the morning sun

Shadowed by cathedrals and castlesThey bring wonderful moments of peace –A river is nothing without onlookers.

We take the coach home insteadThe harvest almost all in – meetThe daughter –contacts hold good

Paddy and I, two more Premium TicketsWith a carvery thrown in – will MayoFinally come good – neutrals hold

Their breath always fearfulOf the Kingdom in a semi-finalHope it won’t be too one sided

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SOUTHEND ROUTINE

Connor’s alarm the signalHush if Cha not movingStay as thou art – doze off.

Last morning differentPlans laid to light candlesFor Christian especially.

We grazed before we departedHarry in the café minded our feathersGave the little lad bacon, mushrooms

Juice for the umpteenth time –He earned the blessing at Nazareth HouseWondering at the wheelchairs

I explained to Chrissie what kidsDo for their mothers – not the will of GodThe weather was gorgeous – such fresh

Air up where ye live – for the retiredJust like me always feeling goodJust look at Taghd thriving –

Great that Conor has the teaching Practice – it is creative – we discussedSo much including Bounty Hunting

Our lads understand the Media Your man making another key noteSpeech after visiting Moneygall

Fighting talk from a politicianMust be an election in the StatesSadly our hopes are pinned for years

On recovery in our children’s timeMuch good to be done with the smallTalent each one has to dispose of now

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SYMPATHICO

Had glorious plans get upGet out do the walk – and so onBut you learn from training

Pacing comes into it – a methodOf catching yourself on – what suitsOne man, one couple not a fit

For anyone else – take any given dayHave something special to do – or better

Someone nice to meet – but above all elseFollow your own dream – when you find

Her never let her go – give her All your attention and complete admiration

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TALES OF DEVILMENT

Lacking the skill to sort it outNeglect plays a huge part.

Idleness, lack of work, chronicUnemployment leading to addiction.

On occasions it’s not about moneyOr the lack of it-just badness – involvement

With children – in laws get dragged in –He is in the love nest-she unwell

Trying to manage the childrenFor some reason – leaves them

With no money – no food in the houseHer brother makes a call – woman

Phones the husband says she is leavingThe children without anything in the fridge

Husband arrives with the shopping – brotherCalls back to check all has been sorted

Decides on one last strategy goes To their local hostelry within earshot

Of all customers in the public houseEveryone informed of situation

Family never left without maintenanceMoney ever again – neglectful husband

Learns his lesson – duty to his offspringIn place – requires no further reminders

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THE DRUMMER

First came across Fr Joe DrumgooleLarger than life almost Elizabethan –So intense about the Eucharist

Those sacred words meant moreThan his Life Hoc est – my Body.He believed – you knew his being

Trembled at the Consecration –Rich and poor flocked for forgivenessSimple understanding – suicides

Amongst the millionaires turned to Joe –Booked up for weddings until his strokeAt seventy eight – we had an understanding

He rang me every Sunday to check KilbronxThat the far gate locked for securityWas opened to his growl-loved

Cheltenham only stopped goingWhen the throat cancer stoppedBig journeys-always the top coat

Winter and Summer one of the good guysLoved a jar – how he would have lovedThe Blue revival in the Hurling

He knows up in the great fieldWhere all good games play outHow good the cats and Tipp are

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THE AUTHOR’S FRIEND

Of a bank holiday morning Breakfast delivered-tablets

Swallowed – papers glanced atCordial greetings exchanged

The desk calls – all the adviceOn the web has me retching.

Just do the first line-as it should be –Off on your own – pedestrian attempts

To do the domestic better – couldThe brown bin be skipped ahead

Yes it can and is emptied – avoidingStoring smelly food for weeks

Sometimes initiative pays offThank yourself for being

Your father’s son – years afterHis training words in your ear

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THE INTERNAL DIALOGUE

The Jesuits take these MattersVery seriously – why wouldn’t they

Giving retreats or a MissionAs a way of passing on

The Love of JesusTheir Companion and Friend

I must admit I can do the WordsBut find it difficult to leave

My friends the ProphetsA bit like myself they found

They never got goingBut had to keep at it

Draw beautiful picturesTo fructify the imagination

As a child would search –A Bible full of Black & White images

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THE MIRROR AND THE LAMP

I promised my eldest daughterA poem of explanation by way

Of an image a metaphor –For a light going out –

Life is very beautifulEven in a shaded backyard

Listening to a hurling matchReflecting age old rivalry.

Peaceful to have little chat –Knowing you are very well

Both of us share that recoveryFrom operations-lots of light

Under the theatre lamps –your dad simply flattered:

resemblances in appearances,that determination to celebrate

a mother’s birthday –Any excuse ought to do

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THIRTY YEARS ON

Keep dreaming it’s your birthday Your birth after my visit to Lourdes1981 the year the Pope was shot

sunny spring day in Rome May 13th

a Northern Ireland woman heard the shotit was a Browning nine mm. Parabellum

The would be assassin was a 23 year oldTurk, Mehmet Ali Agca – Why did he do it?The Pope was way down his list – probably

Funded by the K.G.B. – other people he preferredWould have been women – his Religion forbadeKilling females-the Pope forgave the man pronto.

Two bullets struck his abdomen – two othersGlanced off his body saving his life – slumpingInto the arms of Monsignor Stanislaw Dziwisz

We were in Birmingham – June carrying you –Must be guilt my going to Lourdes so closeto your birth – these recurring dreams…

the Pope recovered slowly to perform his dutiesHe was Beatified yesterday by his successorYou are my pride and joy –Happy Early Birthday

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TIME STANDING STILL

Because this was part of my stomping groundSt Benedict’s Park: a copse of trees, a few wet seatsAfter a light shower of rain Leaving Cert. results out

Girls strutting their stuff, talk of Tamango’s, youngerAdoring female admirers-probably the fake tanThe inevitable reminder of a Cross with young man’s

Bare details – how much he is missed – when the Month’sMind Preparations do begin – realisation dawns

No matter how ill prepared the communitythe Faith gathering holds them together

Most themselves in self giving love No matter how great the ordeal

Or how often the ritual is repeatedThe words keep a special meaningJust turn up and try to sing along

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TO HAVE BEEN A CHILD

Is to remember a man called DaddyNeedless to say bigger than youMostly you see a man – black hair

Swept back, good man, bad manSmell of whiskey, notion of fearReward and punishment, handsome

Earning his notice – a group of usRarely time for special relationshipsEven his own were coloured

Between friends and cousinsColourful characters with giftsFor delivering tea or altar wine

We seemed to be always goingOr coming into the beautifulCountryside – uncles and aunts

Falling in and out over somethingTrivial – mostly we were good as gold.The sea was forty miles away

Lahinch, Ballybunion, KilkeeRows over the goods and chattelsBrought our own churn for water

Sometimes the Auntie the nunHome from Gosfort or SunderlandIt was not like a picnic with Jesuits

Nor were we being prepared as scoutsWe learnt to somehow stick together After all he had a title – Vice Consular

When George or Paddy were awayDaddy boarded the ship if they neededA signature or more likely a sailor in trouble

The Round House then was a WholesaleWine and Sprit Merchant’s StoreAll fully bonded whiskey and imported wine

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UP AGAINST IT

Sky on the groundMothers with their worries –

At our age always someoneNeeding prayer for a procedure –

Mammy losing her mittens –Being down at this stage.

Someone please jolly her alongCarers on their break

Looking at life in the rawTaking those sad calls

This is where the dull thudIs eased with prayer mantras

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WHAT IRISH EMIGRANTS MISS MOST

First up said absolutely nothingNo not the Tayto – the mixed grillNot the father and mother – never go away

Ui mai koe ki ahau ha aha tem ea nui o tea oMaku e ki atu he tangata,he tangata, he tangataTranslation from Maori –

Ask me what is the greatest thing in the worldI will reply; it is people, it is people, it is peopleIrish people in all their crazy Irishness – ah will ye stop

The sense of humour – crazy bastards – running into friendsThey never stop writing – am I away – not the weatherThe terrible road signs – popping home to say hello

The county team – the hats and colours – the resultsThey are coming here – see just enough of them Ah well it’s Christmas – see ye soon boys and girls

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WORTH DOING

The rain forecast never cameThe house silent-just the two of us

Sounds inside an echo of windsBanging outside-the mighty fir

Pulling upside the gardenI daren’t look in the back

We are in a way in siege mouldAll conversations revolve around

the woman of the houseto really learn her story

just this day her namesake diedEllen’s details in the papers.

We can fantasise if motherHad not met my Dad

Would she too have perishedIn a warship hospital-hardly

The years don’t add up…The thirties and forties come alive

Always the old photos, cuttingsAbound-more male than female

Sadly looking down at the cakedSores on her head, who could not

Sigh and talk of nothing elseTask is to ease her last days

Take all the silenceAlongside the speech

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DON’T BE AFRAID

Ever to be yourself as long asYou are aware originalityDrives folks crackers

Or you become a role modelUnintentionally – who wouldWant to be slavishly copied

In an age when the old tried& trusted ways are ignoredor buried in the past – drag

Out some master scribblerFor half an hour – considerThe benefit once publishedYou might (ha ha) keep a reputation

In tact by not boring the socksOff everyone morning, noonEspecially yourself at night

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YOU GET YOUR CHANCE

Blue tits, robins lingerLovingly outside her windowA few gorgeous flowers

On that last day almostEveryone that knew her –To visit, part of her fabric

Old stock approved, confusedDesperately asking what will I do?Breathe easily, learn to let go

We said our non verbal good byesKnowing wherever she was off to Had to be a beautiful place and space

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WHAT KIND OF OLD PERSON

Do I look like becoming On the positive side I won’t be crotchety

Siblings get together Mostly for a row Principles widening the gaps

Alfred Adler says the middleChildren have it all – firstLast – indecisive or cruel –

Change – we can becomeOur wildest dreams – 19Grandchildren turn up

Unbidden – the rearing’sDone – not a terrible bad jobLook forward to no complaints

Forgetting hurts imagined or realNot looking, like Yeats our greatestPoet, for rejuvenating pills

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THE CORPSE HOUSE

Finding words that come easyThe Light of the World shiningDown on Griffin’s Funeral Home

My Grand Father God Father JohnAccustomed to leave his horsesAbove in Gerald Griffin Street

For three hours they stood in the rainJohnsgate paying their respectsMammy looked great laid out

We stood shoulder to shoulderMeeting and greeting – tailor’s dummiesHad our own quiet time – before the public

Éadromaigh ár dorchadas

i

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JOHN O’MALLEY

Invisible Mending: reflections of days done and days to come

animate the heart and mind of the author. There is a sense of

communion between man and woman, man and man,

woman and woman in these poems that transcend time,

distance and difference.

Our tragedies are always common and public but the loss is

always rare and private. The sometimes joyful release of

others from pain intensifies our personal grief and the

imperative to go on. And on we must, life and living are not

theoretical and death inflicts its own solitary confinement on the

bereaved.

John O’Malley has an idiosyncracy of style which verges on the

rebellious if not outright iconoclastic way with poetry. Yet no

mental rewrites are required to pick up the threads of his own

personal Invisible Mending.

The Lapwing is a bird, in Irish lore

- so it has been written -

indicative of hope.

Printed by Kestrel Print

Hand-bound at the Winepress, Ireland

ISBN 978-1-907276-97-2

L A P W I N GL A P W I N GL A P W I N GL A P W I N GP U B L I C A T I O N S

£10.00


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