tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2054907148267586252023-11-26T09:29:21.415-08:00Krunchie Killeen's Verse BlogKrunchie Killeen adds poems to this blog as he composes themKrunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-64433296214835881572022-06-07T12:39:00.004-07:002022-06-07T12:39:54.352-07:00<p> Choose a poem from the Posts below.</p><p>Consider buying Krunchie's collections of poems on <a href="https://www.amazon.fr/s?k=krunchie+killeen&__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=8OVQUWXYGIAJ&sprefix=krunchie+killeen%2Caps%2C90&ref=nb_sb_noss" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (Paperback and Kindle versions):</p><p>Outrageous Poems, Someone Else's Poem</p><div class="widget LinkList" data-version="1" id="LinkList2" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 30px 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><h2 style="color: black; font: bold 11px "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;">Blog Poems</h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;"><div class="widget LinkList" data-version="1" id="LinkList2" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 30px 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="widget-content"><ul style="line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25em;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/a-womans-desire.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">A Woman's Desire</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/2018/12/abandoned-by-dead.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Abandoned by the Dead</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2018/05/ard-hessly.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Ard Hessly</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/bertie-of-golden-hand.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Bertie Of The Golden Hand</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/colm-cille.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Colm Cille</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/do-experts-not-imbibe.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Do Experts not Imbibe?</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/08/domestic-ghosts.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Domestic Ghosts</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/enda-never-came.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Enda Never Came</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/enjoy-crack-today.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Enjoy the Crack Today</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2016/06/gort-callow.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Gort-a-Callow</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/10/halloween-dance.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Hallowe'en Dance</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/hee-comes-krunchie.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Here Comes Krunchie</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Home</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2015/06/jeremiah-odonovan-rossa-10-sep-1831-to.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/killeen.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Killeen</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/02/masterpiece.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Masterpiece</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/mother-ireland.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Mother Ireland</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/murmurs-in-ci.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Murmurs in the City Scramble</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/08/nelson.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Nelson</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2016/01/osheens-secret-heart.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Osheen's Secret Heart</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/02/once-i-had-pen-knife.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Pen-knife</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/pretty-lizzie-geever.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Pretty Lizzie Geever</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2016/02/raftery-poet.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Raftery the Poet</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/the-russian-soldier-in-ukraine.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Russian Soldier in Ukraine</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/shawn-and-my-new-house.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Shawn in my New House</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/so-now-were-in-april.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">So Now We're In April</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2016/12/someone-elses-poem.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Some One Else's Poem</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2018/03/some-thirty-lads.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Some Thirty Lads</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/06/swinging-in-choir.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Swinging in the Choir</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/the-great-six-o.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Great Six-O</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/06/the-lonesome-scot.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Lonesome Scot</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/the-puck-could-kill-you.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Puck Could Kill You</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2015/01/the-second-sixty-five.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Second Sixty Five</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2015/02/the-soldiers-peaceb.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Soldier's Peace</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2015/01/the-vision-of-devna-mac-ool.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Vision of Devna Mac Ool</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/the-witch.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Witch</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="https://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/p/vile-creature.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Vile Creatures</a></li></ul><div class="clear" style="clear: both;"></div></div></div></h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;">Garden Poems</h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;"><div class="widget LinkList" data-version="1" id="LinkList3" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 30px 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="widget-content"><ul style="line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25em;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/a-blaze-of-golden-colour.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">A Blaze of Golden Colour</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/cat.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Cat</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/caterpillar.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Caterpillar</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/daisy-dandelion.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Daisy Dandelion</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/each-and-every-daisy.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Each and Every Daisy</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2017/02/once-i-had-pen-knife.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Once I had a Pen-knife</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/spare-thought-for-wriggly-worms.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Spare a Thought for Wriggly Worms</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/the-first-of-feb.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The First of Feb</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/the-thrush.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Thrush</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/2014/11/worms.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Worms</a></li></ul><div class="clear" style="clear: both;"></div></div></div></h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;">Autumn Poems</h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;"><div class="widget LinkList" data-version="1" id="LinkList4" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 30px 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="widget-content"><ul style="line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25em;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/autumn-grope.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Autumn Grope</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/sad-face-of-autumn.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Sad the Face of Autumn</a></li></ul><div class="clear" style="clear: both;"></div></div></div></h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;">Outrageous Poems</h2><h2 style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative;"><div class="widget LinkList" data-version="1" id="LinkList5" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 30px 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="widget-content"><ul style="line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25em;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/additional-poems.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Additional Poems (exceprts)</a></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.ie/p/outrageous-poems-excerpts.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Excerpts</a></li></ul></div></div></h2></div>Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-55632578372563068532018-12-31T02:38:00.000-08:002022-06-07T13:01:00.925-07:00A Ghost, a Memory and a Welch MortgageI am moved to revisit my last posted poem, "<a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/2018/12/abandoned-by-dead.html" target="_blank">Abandoned by the Dead</a>," to include a phrase that was used in the dream state from which it sprang, but omitted in my initial recollection, the words "Let it Be," uttered by a ghost that I had heard of.<br />
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Much, (some say all), of what dreams throw up is "noise" from the recent activities of our mind. In the case of this poem, it follows from my commencing the reading a book on bereavement,
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007216858/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0007216858&linkCode=as2&tag=kilarothewor-21&linkId=89c23a696538325ce15050ff6cdb8be2" target="_blank">The Year of Magical Thinking</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=kilarothewor-21&l=am2&o=2&a=0007216858" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Joan Didion. In my dream world, the book caused the revival of memories of my own bereavements and memories of people who have passed over. The phrases "Devil the hair I care," and "Sorrow the one of them," are phrases, deriving indirectly from the Irish language, used by the old people, that are seldom heard now. "Devil the one," and "Sorrow the one," both mean "Not one."<br />
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Here is a recent ghost story, awakened in this dream activity. I have changed the names, because nothing is added by recounting the true names.<br />
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Paddy married Nellie, who owned a house and a small piece of land. They lived happily for several years on the land, but had no children. When Nellie died, she left the house and land to Paddy for his life and after his death to her nephew. Paddy grew old and feeble. One year, his cow died and then his donkey. Instead of re-stocking, he allowed his nephew, Jack, to amalgamate the land with Jack's own farm, and was supplied with his food and necessities by Jack.<br />
<br />
Paddy always dressed very well, and, when he died, it was found that he had been supplied with suits and clothes on tick for many years by a shop in town. Welch mortgages have been a feature of farming life in Ireland. When a farmer was unable to pay his debt to the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper would get a court order for the recovery of the money owed. If the money was not paid, the shopkeeper would take possession of the house and land. This device was used widely by shopkeepers to extend their own land-holdings, particularly in dealing with old people. To avoid the shopkeeper taking the land, Jack paid off his uncle's debt. He also paid his funeral expenses, which are a considerable burden on a small holding.<br />
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Next, Nellie's nephew, who was legally entitled to the house and land on the death of Paddy, returned and took possession of the land. Jack thought he had some claim to the property, because he had looked after Paddy in his feeble years and had paid off his debts and funeral expenses. However, one day, as he was going past the house, his dog took fright, and, looking up, he saw Paddy's ghost, neatly dressed as ever. The ghost said "Let it Be," and then disappeared. Jack understood the ghost to mean that he should not raise a dispute with Nellie's nephew, the new owner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-31956675133818523792018-12-29T05:58:00.003-08:002022-06-07T13:01:04.470-07:00Posts and EditsI post poems on this blog as they come to me.<br />
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Generally speaking, a poem comes to me at night, or is in my head as I wake up, and I post it, if at all, as soon as may be after waking. Inevitably, like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and <i>Kubla Khan</i>, there is a feeling that there is something missing from the recollected version, or the dream version has to be re-crafted to give body to what is recalled as vague bits and pieces. Over time, the poem is often improved.<br />
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If you were to view the papers of, for example, W B Yeats, you would see how poems are re-shaped with edits over a period of time. Edited by hand, the changes are visible in manuscript. Since I post my new creations directly here, and edit on the fly, my edits are, in fact, invisible, except when, occasionally, I keep a copy on my home computer.<br />
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I post these thoughts today having just edited the poem I posted yesterday: <i><a href="http://krunchieverse.blogspot.com/2018/12/abandoned-by-dead.html" target="_blank">Abandoned by the Dead.</a></i><br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-61540058717198301282018-12-28T02:32:00.000-08:002022-06-07T13:01:07.354-07:00Abandoned by the Dead<br />
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We are abandoned by the dead.</div>
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They leave us all alone-eo.</div>
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They hint there's nothing to be said,</div>
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Save that we must soon come over-o.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They care not about anything at all on earth,</div>
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Forgetting now what made them tick;</div>
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Equal are failure and success,</div>
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Striving no better to them than drift.</div>
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<br /></div>
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About our ambitions or problems now,</div>
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Devil the hair they care;</div>
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Disinterest registers in their eyes,</div>
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And into space they stare.<br />
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It's not, "It no longer matters", but,<br />
"It never mattered at all".<br />
Once you step over the boundary,<br />
It is not worthy to recall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Killarney” means naught but “cell of the haw.”</div>
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They rove around without laugh or cry.</div>
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When we call the names of those now gone,</div>
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Sorrow the one of them will reply.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Still we chew upon the pie,</div>
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Though hard is the over-bakéd crust,</div>
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And the over-shelféd fruit is dry:</div>
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We might as well chew upon the dust!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are abandoned by the dead.</div>
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But one thing that they cry out, all,</div>
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With one almighty, shout of dread,</div>
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Is that we will soon come over-o.</div>
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-59615060658049969202018-05-19T03:30:00.001-07:002022-06-07T13:01:09.959-07:00Ard HesslyThis song came to me in a <a href="http://krunchiedreams.blogspot.ie/2018/05/ard-hessly.html" target="_blank">dream</a>, described in my <a href="http://krunchiedreams.blogspot.ie/2018/05/ard-hessly.html" target="_blank">Dream Diary</a>. It refers to a historic event, where an enthusiastic priest, in Cromwell's time, raised a rabble army and marched them foolishly into a valley of death. However, the name "Ard Hessly" was a concoction of the dream and not the name of a real place. It can be sung to the air of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ln9QnLaWrY" target="_blank">Only our rivers run free</a>."<br />
<br />
Welcome, men, to Ard Hessly,<br />
Whose priests, holy men of the cloth,<br />
Will lift your faith to a frenzy,<br />
And all for the glory of God.<br />
<br />
For the glory of God and for Ireland,<br />
They'll raise your spirits so high,<br />
You'll arm with poor home-made weapons,<br />
And march into battle to die.<br />
<br />
You will join the priests' rabble army<br />
And march down the valley to death,<br />
Entrapped by Cromwell's grim army,<br />
Which will encircle you in its net.<br />
<br />
The net will close in around you,<br />
Leaving no route of escape.<br />
They'll slaughter you with sharp weapons,<br />
And then all your women will rape.<br />
<br />
Woe to the priests of Ard Hessly,<br />
Who've wasted the best of our men,<br />
Who could have learned war in the mountains,<br />
And then fought for Ireland again,<br />
<br />
And again.<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-90058900832934908902017-10-07T11:38:00.001-07:002022-06-07T13:01:35.305-07:00Hallowe'en Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8gtWSs-63OL6HJEqev8OgE3vmapTvL7K43j97uW59xaSR2JIeCviMd8QAOrf9j735_0gXgb34_OzLUV3JkHGxASvU0LLHUtW1TwYdqupb_wo9Pu2Qdfj-eQjkweQudPGkJYo-PBaorWJ/s1600/LitGraves6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8gtWSs-63OL6HJEqev8OgE3vmapTvL7K43j97uW59xaSR2JIeCviMd8QAOrf9j735_0gXgb34_OzLUV3JkHGxASvU0LLHUtW1TwYdqupb_wo9Pu2Qdfj-eQjkweQudPGkJYo-PBaorWJ/s400/LitGraves6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Father, mother</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
And my own dear
brother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Come to join me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Father, mother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And my own dear brother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Will
you stay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Will you stay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Will you stay and
join me,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
(Repeat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Granny, granddad,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Those who went
before you,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Come to join me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Granny, granddad,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Those who went
before you,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing on the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Will
you stay? Etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All good neighbours,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In their generations,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Come to join me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All good neighbours,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In their
generations,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing on the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Will
you stay? Etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All good spirits</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Gathering together,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Come to join me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All good spirits</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Gathering together,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing on the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Will
you stay? Etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Smiling, laughing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Feasting and
drinking,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Smiling, laughing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Feasting and
singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing on the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Will you stay? Etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Father, mother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And my own dear brother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Come to join me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Father, mother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And my little
brother,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dancing on the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Will
you stay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Will you stay?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Will you stay and
join me,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Dancing, singing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
Till the light of
dawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
(Repeat twice)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-88566368012833122762017-08-22T14:41:00.003-07:002022-06-07T13:01:38.991-07:00Nelson(A poem I wrote when I was a teenager, around 1959, a few years before Nelson was toppled from his pillar in Dublin)<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VgtHRcVHQ_U" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Take Nelson down.<br />
<br />
Fit<br />
He dominate our town,<br />
Is it?<br />
<br />
Foreign man who fought French fleets,<br />
Though remarkable his many feats,<br />
What do we to this man owe<br />
That such respect for him we show?<br />
<br />
He, with his one-eyed frown,<br />
Stares our street up and down.<br />
Cars and buses all around<br />
Look little midges on the ground.<br />
<br />
It is not fit!<br />
Take Nelson down.<br />
<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-48804821211166756522017-08-20T06:32:00.000-07:002022-06-07T13:01:45.889-07:00Domestic GhostsOld people are often visited by ghosts of their deceased relatives, easing their passage into the next life.<br />
<br />
The young are afraid of ghosts,<br />
But there is no need.<br />
Our dead are all around us<br />
Behind a screen.<br />
<br />
When they show themselves,<br />
It is to bring us calm<br />
And accept life and death<br />
As they are.<br />
<br />
Their demeanour is friendly;<br />
Their mood is gay.<br />
If we are welcoming,<br />
They will stay.<br />
<br />
But as soon as we say,<br />
"Go now please,"<br />
Without demur or sorrow<br />
They will leave.<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-91912126441417782822017-06-28T08:25:00.001-07:002022-06-07T13:01:50.637-07:00The Lonesome ScotAfter reading through a volume of Scottish songs, (with the aid of a dictionary), the Scots words started forming rhymes in my brain.<br />
<br />
Ne'er thay laired me hou tae winch,<br />
An ne'er thay laired me hou tae coort.<br />
Nae I gainder in the rouk<br />
Unkennins as tae hou tae do it.<br />
<br />
Thay laired me hou tae spell an coont,<br />
An all the kintras in the warld.<br />
But it ails me that I leared na hou<br />
Tae woo a lass wi golden curls.<br />
<br />
I see the wey they keek at me,<br />
The lasses blythe and cannie:<br />
Whate'er it is a man sud hae,<br />
Thay deem I haena ony.<br />
<br />
And it's becase the lame-legged wey<br />
I habble to come in aboot them,<br />
And hou I ganch and stammer then<br />
Tae try tae get wirds spoken.<br />
<br />
What guid to me are all the beuks,<br />
An all the problems solven,<br />
While I gang forth all on my ain,<br />
A lanely furr a'pleuchin'?<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>"English" version:</b></h3>
<b><br /></b>
Never they taught me how to flirt,<br />
And never they taught me how to court.<br />
Now I wander in the mist,<br />
Ignorant of how to do it.<br />
<br />
They taught me how to spell and count,<br />
And all the countries in the world.<br />
But I regret I learned not how<br />
To woo a girl with golden curls.<br />
<br />
I see the way they peep at me,<br />
The cunning girls, so jolly:<br />
Whatever it is a man should have,<br />
They guess I have not any.<br />
<br />
And it's because the lame-legged way<br />
I hobble to approach them,<br />
And how I stutter and stammer then<br />
To try to get words spoken.<br />
<br />
What good to me are all the books,<br />
And all my problem-solving,<br />
While I go forth all on my own,<br />
A lonely furrow ploughing.<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-88687371768186388162017-06-22T12:37:00.002-07:002022-06-07T13:01:53.738-07:00Swinging in the ChoirOne of the additional eleven poems added to the new edition of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outrageous-Poems-Krunchie-Killeen/dp/154809322X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498160154&sr=8-2&keywords=krunchie+killeen" target="_blank">Outrageous Poems</a> </i>published today:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAQi23sVYHGEj1mtNnGVIbiPHgSpVom70axH3bRjHmBhAAkbwo4Ck5lhSfSlIG_YyLCHaItwFzjdhWIY3o3-j3kzgAAuFg0BzWhzFd-8tLvLhyphenhyphenQgHSeu7-89Y7ZLp8owng1GbxS_qpodm/s1600/OutPoEd3Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAQi23sVYHGEj1mtNnGVIbiPHgSpVom70axH3bRjHmBhAAkbwo4Ck5lhSfSlIG_YyLCHaItwFzjdhWIY3o3-j3kzgAAuFg0BzWhzFd-8tLvLhyphenhyphenQgHSeu7-89Y7ZLp8owng1GbxS_qpodm/s320/OutPoEd3Front.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h1>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc485239023"><span lang="EN-GB">Swinging in the choir</span></a></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(A fictional choir
of course)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The swinging began</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When the choir went on tour,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Each Soprano and Alto</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Already a whore </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When we sang for the Pope</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In Rome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Father McCarthy </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Was at it a lot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We found he was both</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A sod and a sot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">With no altar-boys,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Every Tenor he tried.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">With respect for the cloth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Each one complied</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">And welcomed him into</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The fold. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As we headed for home</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We swore to stay mum,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">But never forsake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What we had begun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Choir swings every week</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">On each Thursday night</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Leaving our spouses </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">At home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Avoiding attachment,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s best, so we found,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">To constantly pass</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The partners around.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We hope to continue,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">For swinging is fun,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">For ever and ever,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Amen.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-68353438766937315342017-02-03T12:47:00.000-08:002022-06-07T13:01:56.940-07:00Once I had a pen-knife<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtjSvOeEgM0WOlBQE95BMFXoMDCPcL0fL2oCN8nbIZ3W7luFuRwwJCtWsnxa3-zOvrhH6HCDJ3E-sL62JeX3jTa5fkXLXlh3KUInAYiuT7teDA2ix1XGwOl9jzQ2tShdn-D1kLObxgP34/s1600/IMG_6996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtjSvOeEgM0WOlBQE95BMFXoMDCPcL0fL2oCN8nbIZ3W7luFuRwwJCtWsnxa3-zOvrhH6HCDJ3E-sL62JeX3jTa5fkXLXlh3KUInAYiuT7teDA2ix1XGwOl9jzQ2tShdn-D1kLObxgP34/s400/IMG_6996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Once I had a pen-knife<br />
That could pare a stick so sharp<br />
I could fling it at a lion<br />
And penetrate his heart.<br />
<br />
Once I had a pen-knife<br />
That could shape a spear so fine<br />
I could bring down an eagle<br />
Or fight a crocodile.<br />
<br />
Now I have a pen-knife,<br />
But the stakes I mould<br />
Perform no useful purpose<br />
But pretty flowers to uphold.Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-21960873126880171932017-02-03T11:37:00.002-08:002022-06-07T13:01:59.388-07:00MasterpieceWhat a masterpiece<br />
Nature paints,<br />
As sun sets<br />
On tranquil lake.<br />
<br />
An artist quite<br />
Indifferent to who<br />
His present master-<br />
Piece will view,<br />
<br />
A timeless view<br />
Known equally<br />
To megalithic<br />
Man and me.<br />
<br />
Yet once off!<br />
Next day's event<br />
Will differ to<br />
A great extent.<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-16594725560632946212016-12-17T08:28:00.000-08:002022-06-07T13:02:06.971-07:00Someone Else's PoemOriginally posted 7 September 2012<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes, I feel that I have written<br />
Someone else’s poem.<br />
No wonder, then, one morning brought<br />
Loud knocking on my door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">There stood a man with flashing eyes<br />
And fluffy hair uncombed.<br />
Are you Krunchie? Yes, I am.<br />
You’re the man that stole my poem!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Sorry, I didn’t mean to.<br />
I thought it was my own.<br />
Well, I serve you with this summons.<br />
And I’ll see you in court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The judge was a stern-faced man<br />
With a grim expression.<br />
He asked me if I did it.<br />
Seems he wanted a confession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I answered, how can I tell,<br />
Since I have not seen the poem<br />
I am supposed to have copied?<br />
I only know my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">He told me my impertinence<br />
Was a contempt of court;<br />
And that I must go to jail,<br />
Or moderate my tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">But they provided me a copy<br />
And I scanned it seam to seam.<br />
When I could not read a word,<br />
I knew this was a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I made a guess and ventured this:<br />
It’s different to mine.<br />
The judge asked, how’s it different,<br />
In content and design?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My poem, couched in simple words,<br />
Has intellectual depth;<br />
This is a pretentious poem<br />
Of mawkish sentiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Says the judge, now a lady with<br />
An Imperious frown,<br />
This poem is sweet sincerity,<br />
Yours has a mocking tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Yes, yes, I said; you can’t deny<br />
How different mine is!<br />
But Fluffy jumped up shouting:<br />
He stole and mocked my whizz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Triumphantly, I answered,<br />
There’s no copyright in jists,<br />
But only in expressions,<br />
So, the case should be dismissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">There IS no doubt the lady judge<br />
Did not take my side.<br />
She sternly said, It is not for you,<br />
But the jury, to decide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">It was a jury of twelve ladies<br />
With their breasts exposed,<br />
Who scanned me disdainfully<br />
From my head down to my toes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The lady chairman of the jury,<br />
Whose name was Lucy Sprockets,<br />
Asked the judge to direct me<br />
Take my hands out of my pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I stand accused, like Jesus Christ,<br />
Of stating something new<br />
That challenges the web of lies<br />
The world proclaims as true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Whenever I record a poem,<br />
It is heaven sent.<br />
I just pass on the words that come -<br />
Even to my detriment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Blasphemy, the judge cries out;<br />
What need have we of more?<br />
This so-called poet would attack<br />
Our values to the core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We know what true poets would write:<br />
Sound sentiment and view,<br />
To guide folk on the rightful path<br />
And keep us good and true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">They would not dare to upset<br />
Sincere folks of dullish brain<br />
Who need constant reassurance<br />
That proper values reign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Well, the court is full of dimwits<br />
Who cover up their ears,<br />
When I speak, for fear their world<br />
Be stained by what they’d hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The judge addressed the jury then.<br />
She said it’s plain to see<br />
That Krunch’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has stolen Fluffy’s poem<br />
And mocked it shamelessly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The jury soon enough returned<br />
With a question to be answered:<br />
Could they take into account<br />
My shameless, scathing manner?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Yes, said the judge, you surely can,<br />
It is quite appropriate<br />
To take full account of how in court<br />
This scooundrel misbehaved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">They came back with a verdict:<br />
I must give up my profits.<br />
I laughed because the poem<br />
Had made not one dollar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">But the laugh soon turned to tears<br />
As damages were added,<br />
And the fees of half the bloated<br />
Lawyers of the planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">And then the judge, smiling, added:<br />
And for his contempt of court,<br />
I order the imprisonment<br />
Of this so-called poet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 18pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">And as I am carted off<br />
Handcuffed and disgraced,<br />
I wonder is there anywhere<br />
I can dare to show my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-60810776379206908962016-12-16T03:24:00.003-08:002022-06-07T13:02:09.605-07:00Arlene Foster's time is upArlene Foster's time is up.<br />
She made a scheme that is corrupt.<br />
If corruption was not intended,<br />
Why was the scheme not sooner mended?<br />
<br />
One thing for which there's no defence<br />
Is wanton waste of public pence.<br />
So, in our hearts we surely know<br />
That Arlene Foster has to go.Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-25419582378937231172016-11-17T02:17:00.005-08:002022-06-07T13:02:11.920-07:00Beautiful Sleet Shower<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDQg_8OMh7fza9avOFt5YYJOGNspeFRlEU3WvJ5pIhdOj1EWeV1dwGkiK70W_VoONqHD8OOnTOlmLVBMl2oY_otw953oesms-TJVHc5x15A088UEsntsM8UiFa71HSs9ernZZf-6YRUIA/s1600/IMG_20161117_100302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDQg_8OMh7fza9avOFt5YYJOGNspeFRlEU3WvJ5pIhdOj1EWeV1dwGkiK70W_VoONqHD8OOnTOlmLVBMl2oY_otw953oesms-TJVHc5x15A088UEsntsM8UiFa71HSs9ernZZf-6YRUIA/s400/IMG_20161117_100302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Beautiful, this morning's sleet shower,<br />
The first one of the season,<br />
The heavy snow-flakes dropping slant-wise<br />
Like falling stars,<br />
Constrained by abundant rain.<br />
<br />
It's to enjoy such cosy sights<br />
That conservatories are made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zzqx6OcxWkwhSkf7coETIgR5QhYB22aQKBBqyjEyingh6PNpWhuJHUMFgeWYzrDYefS_p3d3LXzAGLpRMcZwUxONvNmNWpJJH2K5_tqgOAsdqhvvfigdKPuhyphenhyphenyom0lJtEo6Z7pVQSPZc/s1600/IMG_20161117_100203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zzqx6OcxWkwhSkf7coETIgR5QhYB22aQKBBqyjEyingh6PNpWhuJHUMFgeWYzrDYefS_p3d3LXzAGLpRMcZwUxONvNmNWpJJH2K5_tqgOAsdqhvvfigdKPuhyphenhyphenyom0lJtEo6Z7pVQSPZc/s400/IMG_20161117_100203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-25159609501669554012016-06-26T10:35:00.002-07:002022-06-07T13:02:14.759-07:00Gort-a-Callow<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLWoYl_65Cyuf7otVVPZ1YUM38GrO5dwW1UHNLgQKIXD-MtYlvyLf4aCgfoo-Fnugf1liEjDF-UbSvOQkgi95hgXWzdlkqjoNsiVShYhK7x71p9xrZkN_vVHYstBsCsXHVOKcZ3_Mgoc8/s1600/ShaughnessyBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLWoYl_65Cyuf7otVVPZ1YUM38GrO5dwW1UHNLgQKIXD-MtYlvyLf4aCgfoo-Fnugf1liEjDF-UbSvOQkgi95hgXWzdlkqjoNsiVShYhK7x71p9xrZkN_vVHYstBsCsXHVOKcZ3_Mgoc8/s400/ShaughnessyBridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaughnessy's Bridge in winter, not far from my ancestral home; built to control the flow for the power station at Ardnacrusha, a favourite swimming and fishing place in Summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gort-a-callow,
marshy field,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where my
forebears lived,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Beside the
canal beside the isle,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where potheen
was distilled,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Beside the
strange flat stone, Corr-clough, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where the bedrock
broke through,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where the
devil played a game of cards</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To capture
the soul of Hugh,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who whistled
for his dogs in time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When finally
he looked down,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And saw the
cloven hoof </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Upon the stony ground,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But found
his two brave hounds stone cold</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On the
doorstep of his cabin,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When he
arose next day relieved</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At his
escape last even,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where my
grand-dad was engaged</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As keeper of
the bridge, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When boats
plied up and down the way,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the canal
trade still lived, </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And four
sons and a daughter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Were reared
in spartan times,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When potheen
took my grand-dad’s heart,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His fortune
in decline,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the War
of Independence</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Saw the
family divide,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The first a
captain of police,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But the
rest on the rebel side,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the
pregnant daughter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With no
assets to endower,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Was entrusted to
the nuns to keep</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a
sheltered bower,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And my uncle Rody pointed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A shot-gun at a stopping car,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Saying, "Get the hell out of here;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I know well who you are,"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And nobody ever believed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On only my account,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Rody never bothered</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His version to recount,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And, one day as I read my book,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I almost saw a ghost,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For somebody passed the window by,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who never reached the door,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I heard, when Shaughnessy came round,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His great bridge to design,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rody made him go the long way home,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For the weather was not fine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Enough to take the rowing boat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Across the river wide,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where many a neighbour had drowned,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When weather was defied,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And for the rising water table,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rody got no recompense at all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For he canvassed Oliver Flanagan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead of Fianna Fáil,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And one day a fisherman called in,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To beg a fist of oats,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To save him from the hungry grass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That by the river grows,</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I broke my a</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">unt's new cast-iron pan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When she
told me put it down</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I spun
it centrifugally,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But it
snapped when it hit the ground,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now the
family home is gone,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And the
Celtic tiger brought</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A fancy
marina of sailing boats</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To inhabit
this fine spot.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G8E3zIIkvLHerkixZMc_y5W0ZLltlCjZ-IDIIkK-FGs1298X2gwBbc-SKU3D9DGR11xFn2dzJAqsYM_jnj00AR617jUkUG-SDQjvABMiTrKg-VVRVeXRVeTw_ba2KDy-YMtQvbz8OsHb/s1600/IMG_20170715_163612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G8E3zIIkvLHerkixZMc_y5W0ZLltlCjZ-IDIIkK-FGs1298X2gwBbc-SKU3D9DGR11xFn2dzJAqsYM_jnj00AR617jUkUG-SDQjvABMiTrKg-VVRVeXRVeTw_ba2KDy-YMtQvbz8OsHb/s400/IMG_20170715_163612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shannonside Marina, Gortachallow, Lusmagh, Offaly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAv_YdQEW2g" width="560"></iframe>
Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-53082220783113055272016-02-19T02:24:00.000-08:002022-06-07T13:02:18.204-07:00Nothing is Sure except the SwingNothing is sure except one thing:<br />
That stocks and shares will always swing.<br />
Whether the trend is up or down,<br />
The swing is always to be found.<br />
<br />
Swinging high and swinging low,<br />
Who can tell how far 'twill go?<br />
Guided by what has gone before,<br />
We guess old patterns will repeat once more.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we're right; sometimes wrong:<br />
One principle will guide us all along -<br />
To limit the amount we risk,<br />
So that profitable trades are larger hits.<br />
<br />
We limit the risk by one device:<br />
Quit quickly when we've not guessed right.<br />
But hold on when it goes our way,<br />
So that the trade will truly pay,<br />
<br />
Watching out so we will surely spy<br />
When the punt has gone awry.Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-75775000384284168722016-02-05T10:01:00.001-08:002016-02-05T10:13:04.579-08:00Raftery the PoetActually, while Anthony Raftery (1779 to 1835) was blind and wrote of "playing music to empty pockets," he was quite comfortably off, playing the violin, singing and reciting poetry to fairly well-healed farmers in the taverns of east Galway.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He
was nought but a blind beggar-poet,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cadging
a drink when he could,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Getting
pennies for performing his verses,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Groping
drunkenly at girls in the pub.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">His
poems were a blind beggar’s verses,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Though
they lived on, bringing him fame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gentle
folk dreaded his table,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And
avoided his presence like plague.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It
was fine to stand at a distance,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Enjoying
the flow of his words,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But,
did you want to share in his drinking,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Till
both you and he slumped to the boards?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of
course, he had plenty companions,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Each
one as bad as the next,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who
helped him to drink all his pennies,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While
enjoying his rhymes and his verse.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There
were nights filled with singing and music,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When
Raftery basked in applause,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And
drank his fill of strong whiskey,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Welcoming
the oblivion this brought.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not
long in one place could he linger,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For
the pennies would soon all dry up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Off
he went with his stick and his knapsack,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To
find another town and a pub.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He
often mused on the misfortune</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That
one’s time and one’s place could bring,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For
poets of previous generations</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lived
rich lives in the courts of the kings.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
kings were long gone from Ireland,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And
gowls now ruled in their place,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And
it was only peasants now sponsored</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
literature of his race.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-8877099851137050872016-01-18T02:12:00.000-08:002017-10-02T15:13:20.744-07:00Osheen's Secret Heart(Osheen, in Irish spelt Oisín, was the reputed son of Finn Mac Ool, and anybody openly denying that risked the wrath of Finn and his clan. In reality, Osheen was a foundling, reared by wolves by the western shore until Finn rescued him, in a demented state of grief believing him to be his true son who had, along with Finn's first wife, died tragically by drowning in the Bog of Allen. Cormack Mac Airt had been High King of Ireland for 50 years before foolishly, around the age of 70, personally leading his army in battle and thereby sustaining a disabling wound that made him no longer fit to be king according to the ancient laws. He resigned his kingship and his son Carbury was elected in his place. Finn had been the stalwart support of Cormack all through his reign, Cormack having concurred to Finn's leadership of the Fian, the High-King's army, on Finn's swearing to renounce vengeance. Second in command of the Fian was Goll Mac Morna, who Finn held responsible for the death of his father Ool. My poem supposes that Osheen saw the succession of Carbury to the kingship as a signal for a new leadership of the Fian, whereby he himself would retire to the Land of Youth and the baton would pass to Oscar, Osheen's son and current champion. Osheen did not know that Carbury privately nursed a grudge against Finn, for being too close a confidant of his father thereby excluding himself from influence for many years, and also believed that the Fian had risen above their station and unjustly enriched themselves over the years. Osheen's hope that Oscar could achieve influence with the new king would prove to be vain, but this would not have been known to him when he had the conversation I suppose in this poem).<br />
<br />
When dawn cast a first faint flicker<br />
O'er the sky,<br />
Osheen threw off the night cloak<br />
And watched his companion hound<br />
Bound into the trees<br />
To catch a breakfast morsel,<br />
<br />
But sat in reflection then<br />
To capture the new poem<br />
Forming in his head:<br />
<br />
"I must, I will, at last<br />
Hear my secret heart:<br />
<br />
"I am no son of Finn<br />
And desire to be<br />
In serenity<br />
Where the western sea<br />
Throws its frothy water<br />
On the shore."<br />
<br />
And when Oscar came<br />
Hurling his morning spears,<br />
Osheen said: "Desist,<br />
And listen now to me."<br />
<br />
And then he asked:<br />
"Who is the king of Ireland?"<br />
And Oscar, in surprise:<br />
"It is the new king, Carbury."<br />
<br />
And Osheen:<br />
"It is a new king and a new time.<br />
I know that Finn now finds<br />
Release from his oath to Cormack;<br />
But he knows in truth<br />
That when he takes revenge<br />
For a wrong long done,<br />
He can no longer lead."<br />
<br />
Then Oscar:<br />
"And it is time for you to lead,<br />
My friend and father."<br />
<br />
But Osheen:<br />
"No, Oscar. <br />
You are in your prime,<br />
And champion of the Fian.<br />
<br />
"Your time has come,<br />
And you must lead.<br />
Only you can win<br />
This generation's hearts.<br />
<br />
"But I will slip away<br />
To a secret island in the west<br />
And a life I have often dreamed of,<br />
Away from swords and strife,<br />
For I am no son of Finn."<br />
<br />
"If a Morna said<br />
You are no son of Finn,<br />
I would slit his throat."<br />
<br />
"And you would have done wrong,<br />
To kill upon a lie,<br />
For I am a lost boy,<br />
Raised by the wolves,<br />
Taken to Finn's demented breast.<br />
<br />
"But now my wish is to be back <br />
In my native land,<br />
Even where the awful wave of Moyle<br />
Snatched my true parents from the shore.<br />
<br />
"I wish to be<br />
By the western sea,<br />
Where the wee boats spread their nets<br />
And haul their lobster pots,<br />
And the little children<br />
Play stick-ball on the sand."<br />
<br />
"And my mother," cried Oscar,<br />
"Will she go with you there?"<br />
<br />
"Your mother desires to be<br />
In the fertile land of Munster,<br />
To cavort with her widowed sisters,<br />
The companions of her youth,<br />
For such is the wish of woman<br />
When passion's fire is cooled.<br />
<br />
"But I will find indeed<br />
A young, nubile companion<br />
For my advancing years,<br />
And live in a secret island<br />
Off the coast of Erris.<br />
<br />
"But you, son,<br />
Must take charge of your career;<br />
Stay close to Finn<br />
And do his every bidding,<br />
Till he pass to you the baton,<br />
Then kneel before the king<br />
And form a bond with flattery<br />
And devotion,<br />
For, as Finn made Ireland great<br />
With his bond to Cormack,<br />
So the future needs a bond<br />
Between this king and the champion<br />
Of the day."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-44231486570198000302015-06-10T01:40:00.001-07:002016-12-19T08:32:01.454-08:00Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa (10 Sep 1831 to 29 Jun 1915)Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa was just 14 years' old when the Great Famine occurred. His father died of malnutrition in 1847 and Jeremiah got a job working in his cousin's shop in Skibbereen, where he set up the Phoenix National and Literary Society, dedicated to working for the freedom of Ireland from English rule. This society became a branch of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and Rossa became one of the staff of its newspaper, "The Irish People." Forewarned of a planned Fenian uprising, the government had the entire editorial staff of the newspaper arrested and imprisoned for Treason. Released from prison, in 1871, but banned from returning to these shores, (until the ban was lifted in 1890), Rossa went to the USA where he ran a hotel and spent the rest of his life organising the Fenians on the other side of the Atlantic and raising funds for terrorist campaigns in England. On his death, in 1915, his body was returned to Ireland and Patrick Pearse's oration at his grave-side was the greatest rallying cry for Irish rebellion. "Jeremiah" is an anglicised form of the name "Diarmuid," very common among the Donovans, the form used by the priests in Babtism, since there was no known Saint or Biblical character of the name "Diarmuid" or its usual Anglicisation as "Dermot." So, officially named "Jeremiah," he was known locally as "Diarmuid," and preferred this Irish form. He added "Rossa" to his surname (born in Rossmore, Reenasireena) to distinguish himself from the thousands of Diarmuid O'Donovans in Munster at that time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPrHvqG1Pk6vxhtkQHFZqZz1-F5UkAcY9pWzRin4iVkd8x-9ddIENPx9mRvNiS17OhPs31Q_gtdpe7EUh97o6Nv4FvHqgBH_-3Kcy9yg7IpuHdGo3ihtCwTfHZoF6eae6sdr6rluY8scG/s1600/IMG_20160131_130158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPrHvqG1Pk6vxhtkQHFZqZz1-F5UkAcY9pWzRin4iVkd8x-9ddIENPx9mRvNiS17OhPs31Q_gtdpe7EUh97o6Nv4FvHqgBH_-3Kcy9yg7IpuHdGo3ihtCwTfHZoF6eae6sdr6rluY8scG/s400/IMG_20160131_130158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Diarmuid<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ó Donabháin Rosa,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Shaped by</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> F</span>amine and hope,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pledged<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His life that Ireland<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cast off<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Saxon yoke,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Calling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Irish nation,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Spread<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Across the globe,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, not</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some vague tomorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To claim</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> Its </span>island home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-82381715163047432872015-02-06T03:00:00.001-08:002022-02-18T01:23:39.131-08:00The Soldier's PeaceRemembering an unsung hero of the War of Independence (1918 to 1921) and the Civil War (1922).<br />
<br />
The terrible deeds of the soldier<br />
Haunt his peaceful days.<br />
His war is never over;<br />
Inside his demons rage.<br />
<br />
O, trigger not his anger<br />
With a glance or sly remark.<br />
Tread softly, softly, round him,<br />
Lest you that anger spark.<br />
<br />
He fought for Ireland's glory<br />
And now must face each day<br />
In toil upon the rocks of Bawn,<br />
As his dream ebbs, ebbs away.<br />
<br />
He thought that Independence<br />
Would bring a Golden Age,<br />
Not poverty and depression,<br />
As the golden image fades.<br />
<br />
And he sees each day the faces<br />
Of men whose life he took<br />
In pursuance of a shibboleth<br />
His one-time friends forsook.<br />
<br />
<br />Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-81412487612478809722015-01-31T10:53:00.000-08:002015-02-07T15:37:49.926-08:00The Vision of Devna Mac OolTwixt boyhood and manhood, <br />
A beauty came <br />
To <a href="http://killeennotes.blogspot.ie/2015/01/devna-mac-ool.html" target="_blank">Devna</a> in a dream.<br />
<br />
This is the song she sang:<br />
"Be at peace, my son. <br />
Let your heart be filled with joy."<br />
<br />
"Who are you?" he said, and she, <br />
"I am your mother, Murna,<br />
And I love you."<br />
<br />
He said to his aunts, <br />
Who had reared him, <br />
"I must go to my mother."<br />
<br />
His aunts were wise. <br />
They did not say, <br />
"O no, you cannot go;" <br />
<br />
But said, "Of course; <br />
But first grow strong<br />
To stand against your foes."<br />
<br />
"You enemies are many.<br />
You must learn to be<br />
Both wily and strong."<br />
<br />
"They will attack you both<br />
From behind and front; <br />
Learn to take on two as one."<br />
<br />
For several more years, <br />
They taught him the arts of war;<br />
To make weapons from sticks and stones<br />
<br />
And tooth and bone and horn;<br />
Spears from ash and willow,<br />
And blades from sharpened blackthorn.<br />
<br />
To live off fruits of the forest;<br />
To wrestle a stag to the ground;<br />
Corral a hare in a field<br />
<br />
By running rings around it;<br />
Make himself invisible<br />
Or jump into a tree. <br />
<br />
And, furthermore, <br />
They schooled him<br />
In the wiles and ways of warriors.<br />
<br />
At last, full of adult strength, <br />
He said to his minders, <br />
"It is time I left."<br />
<br />
"Remember, dear boy," said Lee, <br />
"Your mother does not know your name, <br />
For she gave you none."<br />
<br />
"What name have I <br />
From my father?" <br />
Asked Devna. <br />
<br />
"Your father gave you none," <br />
Was the reply.<br />
"Then I have no name," said Devna,<br />
<br />
For names are given <br />
By one's father, <br />
Or, if none such, one's mother.<br />
<br />
"May your road bring you success," <br />
They said, as he turned his face<br />
Towards Kerry and his mother.<br />
<br />
Reaching that kingdom,<br />
He sent word that he was there,<br />
But the queen sent back reply:<br />
<br />
"I have no son<br />
But those here with me."<br />
He sent word:<br />
<br />
"I am the son of Ool,"<br />
And she sent back reply:<br />
"I will not see you;<br />
<br />
I disowned you at birth;<br />
I Left you by your father's corpse;<br />
You are dead to me."<br />
<br />
Devna was sick to the heart,<br />
A heart empty of joy.<br />
Soon he realised<br />
<br />
It was not his earthly mother<br />
In the dream, but<br />
His heavenly mother.<br />
<br />
He threw his spears at an oak<br />
And shouted his anger to the stars<br />
And roamed in wild rage around Ireland,<br />
<br />
Until, at last, his anger cooled<br />
Into a quiet determination<br />
To reclaim his father's crown.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://killeennotes.blogspot.ie/2015/01/devna-mac-ool.html" target="_blank">Devna_Mac_Ool</a>Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-31184288983825853922015-01-07T04:16:00.001-08:002017-03-22T10:19:55.088-07:00The Second Sixty-fiveFrom my collection called <i>Outrageous Poems</i><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well, at the age of sixty five,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Says you, I’m lucky to be alive.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But the odds are very good today</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A second sixty five will come my way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, get up on your feet and share my joy.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Jump around like a bouncy boy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Stamp your feet and laugh and shout</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And throw your arms and legs about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aren’t we lucky to be alive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To enjoy the second sixty five?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi3ME0rvS7-UaX4oAGfXiPsGx0E7aJvPsCXveYUR2EDQr3v4pcibaEJRcqsJC9C0dKyqiQmlx9aaOtKOwMNMIAZECyANx1Xe8LAFCPDF9evN87Rgvya3CeNT7eGnIG5U9n4lPBSyOzjzR/s1600/DSC04001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi3ME0rvS7-UaX4oAGfXiPsGx0E7aJvPsCXveYUR2EDQr3v4pcibaEJRcqsJC9C0dKyqiQmlx9aaOtKOwMNMIAZECyANx1Xe8LAFCPDF9evN87Rgvya3CeNT7eGnIG5U9n4lPBSyOzjzR/s1600/DSC04001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well, when my life was just begun,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The odds were a billion or so to one</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That I wouldn’t survive till half this
age:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now look at me bouncing around the
stage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, get up on your feet and share my joy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Jump around like a bouncy boy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Stamp your feet and laugh and shout</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And throw your arms and legs about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aren’t we lucky to be alive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To enjoy the second sixty five?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The odds were then I’d be carried off</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">By measles or the whooping cough,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or a drunken driver in an Austin car;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But I wasn’t and I’ve done alright so
far.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, get up on your feet and share my joy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Jump around like a bouncy boy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Stamp your feet and laugh and shout</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And throw your arms and legs about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aren’t we lucky to be alive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To enjoy the second sixty five?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, what are the odds from here on in<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That the whooping cough will do me in?</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Not very great, and reduced by far</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Are the chances I’ll be caught by an
Austin car.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, get up on your feet and share my joy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Jump around like a bouncy boy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Stamp your feet and laugh and shout</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And throw your arms and legs about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aren’t we lucky to be alive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To enjoy the second sixty five?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The odds are good that I’ll survive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Indeed another sixty five.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No need to heed the prophets of doom:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To celebrate, dance around the room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, get up on your feet and share my joy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Jump around like a bouncy boy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And Stamp your feet and laugh and shout</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And throw your arms and legs about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aren’t we lucky to be alive</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To enjoy the second sixty five?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-75641863428973652122014-11-06T07:54:00.000-08:002014-11-06T08:02:27.057-08:00Do Experts not Imbibe?Is it true that experts don't imbibe?<br />
That they sniff and sip and spit?<br />
Well, tell me what's the good of it?<br />
<br />
I'll tell you now what I have found -<br />
And I've been many years around -<br />
You never really know a wine<br />
Till glasses you've had eight or nine.<br />
<br />
The first is rather interesting.<br />
The second is where begins the testing.<br />
The third one I would call "explore"<br />
And the fourth, "Yes, yes; I will have more."<br />
<br />
When I come over to your house,<br />
Yes, yes, get the glasses out;<br />
But do not count it by the glass:<br />
A bottle each, or it's alas!<br />
<br />
A so-called expert would have a sip,<br />
But I will have the whole of it.<br />
And if the choice is size or quality,<br />
Then plonk wins every time for quantity.<br />
<br />
Three glasses, and I'll say a poem,<br />
And twenty more before I go home.<br />
I'll even do many lines by Heaney,<br />
<a href="http://killeennotes.blogspot.ie/2014/11/lines-by-heaney.html" target="_blank">Corrupted with lascivious meaning</a>.<br />
<br />
Here is how a wine is judged:<br />
Does it the joyful spirit move?<br />
Does it the company ignite<br />
To laugh and sing all through the night?<br />
<br />
If you wonder, "Is this good for me?"<br />
Don't ask a qualified MD.<br />
Ask a jovial gentleman<br />
Who's been and done and still goes on.Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205490714826758625.post-46579077001494199722014-11-03T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-03T04:00:05.004-08:00A Blaze of Golden Colour
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">A
blaze of golden colour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Will
delight the eye</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Of
all the massive multitudes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">That
pass my garden by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Vigorous
and healthy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Are
the things my garden grows,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Unlike
my careful neighbour's </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Neat,
neurotic rows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">My
lawn grows strong and luscious</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">And
never is shaved bare.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Unlike
my neighbour's shaven lawn,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">There's
form and contrast there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">And
if my niggly neighbour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Finds
cause there to complain,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">What
is that to me, sir?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">I'll
answer just the same:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">My
garden is magnificent</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">In
nature's own design,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">With
its mass of mighty dock leaves</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">And
golden dandelions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Krunchie Killeen (Proinnsias Ó Cillín)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00292882045989604079noreply@blogger.com0