Of all the chances that I ever took
The best by far was to open a book.
For I quickly discovered that to read
Is the most rewarding pastime indeed.

Then reading in me a spark did ignite
To a burning desire one day to write.
Thankfully though, that what writers most need
Is other books, other authors to read

Books are like flowers
Their words pollen seeds,
Carried far and wide
By all those who read.
With other words merge
To new life ignite
In the fertile minds
Of all those who write.
There tended, nourished
For hour after hour.
Encouraged to grow,
To once more flower.

Jack and Will looked at the bill
They got from Irish Water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown;
Husband Will hit the rafters!
Up Jack got, Said **** that lot!
This we've already paid for!!
No he said! It won't be paid!
They used it for toilet paper!!

It is ok to look up to others who
You admire for one reason or another.
But never let anyone look down on you
And never ever look down on another.

Never let anyone else make you feel small
And never ever belittle anyone.
You would not like to be looked down on at all,
So why then would you look down on anyone?

Tomorrow is another day
I will be ready come what may.
Though should I not see tomorrow
There is no great cause for sorrow,
For I make the most of each day
Or do my best to anyway!
You only live once as they say!
Why would you waste a single day?

So many, many moons ago
The gang from St. Brigid's would go
Every single chance we could
Off to local farms to sow spuds.

Each one covered in burning lime
(No health and safety at the time)
Each sown under a foot apart;
If not, you went back to the start.

All for only ten pence a line
(Though 'twas a fortune at the time)
Working mostly long ten hour days;
Kids would not do it nowadays!

Picnic lunches in all weathers,
Sitting in the fields together,
Lemonade bottles for the tea,
Eating with hands filthy *****.

It was work that would break your back
But sure we all had mighty craic,
Laughing and joking all day through,
Slagging each other as kids do!

St. Brigid's gang were number one,
Farmers knew the work would be done.
At harvest time back we would drag
To pick spuds for ten pence a bag!

It did none of us any harm
Working such long hours on the farm.
Although the work was onerous
'Twas the making of all of us!

There is no greater spectacle
As two teams ready for battle
For club or province or country
In the great game we call Rugby.

A game of defence and attack
One against one, pack against pack,
Punishing scrums, hard tackling,
Great kicking and ball handling.

No quarter given nor expect
All play with mutual respect
Though each team give their all to win
All play with such great discipline.

Each player there for the other
All supporting one another
Each combining to make the whole
Working towards a common goal.

Players give it all on the day
Leave nothing on the field of play.
A game full of heart and passion.....
And valuable life lessons.

No one has ever made me feel as good
About myself in the way that you do.
No one has ever truly understood
Just what I am all about except you.
Together we have seen good times and bad
Shoulder to shoulder we somehow get through.
Oh the laughter and tears that we have had;
Life would just not be the same without you.
No better friend could there possibly be;
So honest and steadfast, loyal and true.
Know that our friendship means the world to me,
That I shall always be a friend to you.
My lifelong friendship you can rely on,
For you, my friend, are one in a million.

I am one very lucky Son of a Gun,
one of the worlds privileged few,
For I happen to be an Irish Mammies son;
An absolute blessing it is true!
She treats me like I am the “Chosen One”,
my Da thinks the whole thing is a farce!
She is absolutely convinced that the sun
shines out of her darling sons ****!
She tells everyone I am her pride and joy,
about all the happiness I bring,
Tells me I will always be her baby boy;
She treats me just like a king

For in her eyes I can do no wrong,
It has been that way from the start,
I have no choice but to play along,
I would not like to break her heart!
She will not hear a bad word said about me,
She always leaps to my defence!
When she looks at me all she can see
Is a true picture of innocence!
Should I ever get into any difficulty
(Obviously through no fault of my own),
My Ma is quick to sort it out for me
taking my problems on as her own.

I never have to do one thing
because she does everything for me'
Cooking and laundry and ironing
Almost anything really!
Though sometimes she loses her patience
(It happens, but very rarely),
it’s never long ‘til she sees some sense;
gets it done after apologising to me.
She is always picking up after me,
(how does my stuff end up on the ground)
but she always does it so quietly,
never wakes me, I don’t hear a sound.

I would help if she would let me,
That would be really immense!
But she takes her role of mother so seriously,
I would not like to cause her any offence!
Now I am not one to put on a poor mouth,
but can’t always afford the latest gadgetry.
But my Ma really hates to see me go without
and always ends up buying it for me.
She is forever handing me money,
tells me to go out and have some craic.
Gets me to swear an oath of secrecy
and will hear no talk of me paying her back!

My breakfast ready each morning,
a packed lunch and everything!
My dinner on the table every evening;
she will not see me want for a single thing!
Every single day she makes my bed,
Leaves my room absolutely spotless!
“You need somewhere nice to lay your head”
she says, “I will not have you sleep in that mess”.
She always tells me to have the lads over,
she likes to see me have a good party
The following day should I have a hangover
she is always especially good to me!

She vets every one of my girlfriends
which I think is really quite nice,
Any of those whom she thinks offends
get dumped by me in a thrice!
She tells me I should not worry;
That I really am quite a catch!
Tells me I need not be in any hurry,
How important it is to find the right match!
No one so far has been good enough for me,
she has not approved of a single one yet!
She says any woman should be glad to have me
but those so far she says, seemed so desperate!

Now some accuse me of taking advantage;
I do not know what all the fuss is about!
As far as I know there is no definite age
when a son should have to move out!
It is getting to the point where I know I should,
but for my Ma it will be a terrible blow,
and honestly if you had it half as good;
Would you be in any hurry to go?
I know it cannot stay like this forever,
one day I will have to move out and marry!
But it’s impossible to see how I will ever...
find a woman half as good as my Mammy!

I know never again shall I ever
Find another as wonderful as you.
Not even were I to live forever
Could I love another as you I do.
To me my love you are everything,
The one I spent my whole life searching for.
The joy and happiness to me you bring
Each day makes me love you a little more.
Never so shall I take you for granted,
I shall do all I can to let you know
How much I love you, how you are wanted,
How I love you with all my heart and soul.
Know that you are the only one for me,
You I shall love for all eternity.

From the moment of our birth
There is no one else on earth
Who loves us as Mothers do;
So steadfast, loyal and true!

So why wait 'til Mothers Day
To make such a grand display
Of how we love them so much
With flowers, cards, gifts and such?

Let them know the whole year through
Just how much they mean to you.
Show your love in some small way
Other than on Mothers Day!

There is not one more beautiful than thee
In the entire universe to be found.
You my darling mean the whole world to me,
I am ever thankful that you I found.
For me no other could there ever be
Whom I could love as much as I love you.
My heart and soul you have won completely
For all that you are and all that you do.
For your beauty far more than skin deep is,
You are wonderful in so many ways.
If one thing I love more about you 'tis
How you do brighten up all of my days.
Truth is I love the very bones of you;
I always have and I always will do.

Lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gay
What are they all only labels anyway?
Nowt of individuals do labels say,
Truth be told all they do is get in the way!
What is it with this need to put labels on?
What we really need is to see the person!
To judge others only by labels given
Is stupidity, hard to be forgiven.
So it is with gender, race, colour or creed;
And all other labels we just do not need.

There are loves that compare to none
Such as between Father and Son,
Who share for all eternity
A bond which undone cannot be.
For a Father there is no one
They can love as they do their Son,
Perhaps for in this precious boy
They see themselves from days gone by.

As men speak not of emotion
'Tis a love not oft of spoken.
For seldom the word love is said,
Many words and deeds used instead.
Though when Sons do Fathers become
They begin to understand some
Of the love Fathers have for Sons,
How their Son they love like no one.

My thoughts of late so dark have been,
Darker than any night yet seen.
Where there is no light to be found,
Where blackness only does abound.
What I fear most, with all my mind
Is to darkness to be resigned.

What no one really wants or needs
Is one who really wants and needs.
That you want, not need them really
Is what they need and want really.
To be wanted more than needed
Is what's wanted, what is needed.
All want to know, need to really
Who wants more than needs us really.

Who amongst us is not
Shaped by our past some way?
Much of it best forgot,
Mistakes made on the way.
Though it taught us a lot
It's important to say:
What we were matters not,
But what we are today.

To be loved brings joy beyond measure
Though to love is the most precious treasure.
Which is why what all of us yearn to do
Is find the one we can give our heart to.
One whom to us is so precious and dear,
That we dare to love without any fear.
The one we love with all our heart and soul,
One whose love in return makes us feel whole.

Work, Friday afternoon
And I'm at my wits end.
It will be over soon
Then it's the weekend!!
God but it does drag on
The longest day ever.
I can't wait to be gone,
Work to do? Whatever!!

There are not many here
Most are at vague meetings.
Others just disappear,
Out the door keep sneaking.
Oh God I cannot wait
To get out the front door,
What time would be deemed late;
Can I not leave before?

There's no work getting done,
We're all counting down.
It seems that everyone
Is mad to hit the town!!
When four o clock comes round
There is an exodus.
There's so much joy around
It's truly fabulous!!

No sooner do we speak
Than again it's Monday
And we spend the whole week
Wishing it was Friday!!

Others may not remember you
For what you say or what you do;
How you make them feel however
They will never forget, ever

For you Sister, in my heart
A place there will always be.
True, a very special part
As you mean so much to me.

All the moments that we share
Deep in my heart I treasure,
Just how much for you I care
Is beyond any measure.

You, Sister, are just the best
You make all our lives richer.
Indeed I feel truly blessed
To have you for my Sister.

Ne’er will there be any other
Who can compare to a brother.
Younger or older matters nay
They are there for you, come what may.
Though a bond which is quite unique
‘Tis a love not oft of we speak.
Though they may know we hold them dear
Perchance it would be good to hear?

Much poetry
May fade quickly
From memory.
Though there are such
That move us much,
Our souls do touch.

Catch us off guard
Or strike a chord,
Our hearts reward.
Some witty, wry
Some make us cry
Or wonder why.

Others inspire
Dreams and desire,
Ignite a fire.
Many appeal
for they are real,
They make us feel.

The truly great
Reverberate,
They resonate.

In trying, there is every chance you might fail.
In not, there is no chance you will ever prevail.

For if you do not take a chance or at least try
There is every chance life will just pass you by.

Mistakes to success are
As steps to the ladder;
Both help us to ascend,
To reach  goals in the end.

If you are having a bad day
Full of problems, trouble and strife
Do not let it in any way
Make you think you have a bad life!

If wishes
Were fishes
That swam in the sea
Where on earth would we be?

Stood onshore
Ever more
Looking ruefully,
Longingly, out to sea?

Would we be
All at sea,
With nothing to do
To make wishes come true?

Or maybe
We could be
All out on the sea
Fishing furiously?

For wishes,
Like fishes,
Are within our reach,
If we work hard for each.

When all goes to hell
I retreat into my shell;
Human Crustacean?

I’m only in hospital because I am sick,
apparently, I’m quite stressed
Although I’m in relatively good nick,
what I need most is lots of rest

But they wake me every night at twelve o clock or so,
for my sleeping pill
Seriously though, I am beginning to know,
why it is that some people ****

Then they wake me every morning,
at a very early hour
Despite each and every warning
that I’m losing my will power

I have tried to convey my frustration,
in a calm and rational way
But they seem intent on sleep deprivation
for the duration of my stay

Losing sleep is bad enough
if it would just stop there
But I cannot even eat the stuff
the kitchen here prepare

It’s nearly always cold
and impossible to chew
And I’m fed up being told
that I’ve lost a stone or two

I have not been sick before
so taking pills is a battle
And if I have to take one more I know
I will start to rattle

Injections by the score,
so many every week
I do not drink liquids any more
because I’m afraid I’ll spring a leak

Every day a different test,
am I just a guinea pig?
I am trying my level best
not to give someone a dig

They seem obsessed with bowel movements,
always monitoring it,
they get frustrated when there’s no improvements,
but I could not give a sh*t!

Then there is the matron,
a scrawny ancient hen
Who excels at *******
and seems to hate all men

But the students are worse
as they are put through their paces
you can tell when things are serious
by the looks on their faces

I am here because of stress,
What a ****** joke!
Maybe I would care less
if they would just let me smoke

I have to check myself out
and I will not be back
Because staying here no doubt
will give me a heart attack

Thank god to be out of there,
some other sucker has my bed
Just one more day in there
and I would have gone home dead.

I'm so proud to be the Father
of the lovely young lady
that you have turned out to be.
There's none other I would rather
for a daughter because you see;
You my love mean the world to me.

I am extremely saddened by the death
Of David Bowie, whom I never met,
But who has been part of my life for years;
Who stood head and shoulders above his peers.

A man whose music to many did speak,
Always different, forever unique.
Who was true to his art right to the end;
Who rightly deserves the title Legend.

So farewell David, and though you have gone,
Know that you and your music will live on.
For your innovation, your genius
Have become very much a part of us.

There once was a man who wrote poetry
Which alas was not read that widely.
Until, that is, he passed away
And became the talk of the day;
Lauded, albeit posthumously!

To resolve any
Difficult issue
All one needs simply
Is the resolve to.

Why wait, hesitate?
Put things off, procrastinate?
Spring into action!

I may not have set the world on fire,
But neither have I gone down in flames
Within me remains a burning desire
To achieve every one of my aims.
I know it may be very hard indeed,
But I am determined I shall prevail;
Know if I persevere I will succeed,
That if I give up I will surely fail.
For dreams hopes wishes and aspirations
Will never amount to anything much;
Without hard work and determination
They will forever remain only such.
Life can be just as we want it to be
For we are masters of our destiny.

They gave their lives for an Irish nation,
Paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Each of them signing the Proclamation
Which would guide Ireland in the years to come.
Thomas Clarke was the first signatory
With Patrick Pearse and Seán Mac Diarmada,
Also Joseph Plunkett, James Connolly,
Éamon Ceannt, Thomas Mary Mac Donagh.
Alas these were seven of many more
Who died as we fought for independence.
Whose names should be honoured for evermore
By us, our children and our descendants.
Never should we forget their legacy;
We owe them our freedom, our liberty

None amongst us can perfection claim;
All different yet...... flawed all the same.

I am pulling the devil by the tail
But I am determined I shall prevail.
I know it will be very hard indeed
Though if I persevere I will succeed.

Children find it hard to believe
That at last it is Christmas Eve.
Letters to Santa have long gone,
They have been waiting for so long.
Many go early to their beds
Thoughts of Santa filling their heads.
For the reindeers they have left treats;
For Santa lots to drink and eat.

They find it hard to close their eyes,
Awake again with each new noise.
All hoping for sleigh bells to hear
Now that Santa is getting near.
They worry were they good enough?
That Santa won't have enough stuff,
That their names are on the bad list,
That somehow their house might be missed.

So much goes through their little minds
Making it hard for sleep to find.
Though finally they do nod off
With lots of nice things to dream of.
Then when next morning they awake,
(For many well before day break)
They find that Santa has come through
And made all of their dreams come true.

They get a wonderful surprise,
Awe and wonder in their young eyes,
Reminding every one of us
Of the magic that is Christmas.

A lovely peaceful atmosphere
now that Santa has been and gone.
Surrounded by those we hold dear;
Merry Christmas everyone!

Families gather everywhere
for a Christmas celebration,
and all those who could not be there
are thought of on this occasion.

Sitting down to eat together
full of laughter, fun and good cheer
Times to be cherished forever;
A wonderful time of the year.

Roast turkey and ham with stuffing
with brussel sprouts, veg and gravy.
Then Christmas Cake and plum pudding,
Sherry trifle, mince pies maybe.

Christmas crackers ensure laughter,
funny hats and jokes in each one.
When dinner's done, shortly after
there are presents for everyone.

Then party games for all to play,
time for all to do as they please.
Such is the beauty of the day
when everyone is quite at ease.

I love Christmas I have to say,
time spent with friends and family.
In particular Christmas Day,
Of which I have fond memories.

Suddenly and without any warning
At some ungodly hour of the morning
Parents who are already sleep deprived
Are woken because Santa has arrived.

Christmas Eve they had been up half the night
Making sure that for Santa all was right
Now before they even open their eyes
Kids are shouting and screaming, full of noise.

Their beds covered now with so many toys
With hyperactive kids full of surprise
Laughing and smiling out of sheer delight
Not caring it's the middle of the night

Presents ripped open without a care
Wrapping paper, boxes, strewn everywhere
Each new gift a cause for celebration
Kids faces lit up in pure elation

Though to see kids happy, so excited
Parents are absolutely delighted
For no better present could they receive
Than to see kids dreams come true, I believe.

Biting cold, rain, sleet and snow,
Temperatures very low,
Crunchy grass, freezing mornings,
Roads like glass; weather warnings!
Traffic jams, travel chaos,
Accidents to delay us.
Buses, trains stuck at stations,
Many flight cancellations.

Time for wearing winter gear
When coats and hats reappear,
When gloves and scarves are the norm
Anything to keep us warm!
When crying eyes, runny nose,
Frozen fingers, tingling toes
Are the order of the day;
Hard to keep the cold at bay.

Schools are shut to kids delight,
Can’t make work though try you might.
Home is where most folk are at
Turning up their thermostats
Heating on all night and day,
Kids indoors, not out to play.
Most folk staying in no doubt
Happy they need not go out.

But all do not have such luck
Perhaps a good time to look
In on neighbours the odd day
To make sure they are ok.
Maybe help the homeless too,
Do anything we can do
To ensure we all weather
These Winter storms together.

There is something inside me,
lurking deep within the realms
which threatens to overwhelm
me utterly, completely.
Only occasionally
leaving me incapable;
totally vulnerable,
full of insecurity.

After the feeling subsides
what I find most troubling
is the power of this thing
that deep within me resides.
How I am at it's mercy
as it grows ever stronger.
I wonder how much longer
before it will consume me.

You only live once,
That is a given.
Why would you think twice?
Get Up! Start Living!

As birds without feathers
are unable to fly...
Without my friends and family
neither am I.

Understand something
More than anything:
Life owes you nothing;
You earn everything.
If you want something
More than anything
Then stop at nothing;
Give it everything!

There are those with strongly held views
Who can be extremely forthright
When it comes to certain issues,
Believing they alone are right.
To shout and roar is not my style
Though that may come across as meek,
My quiet nature does beguile
For the last thing I am is weak.

Rather than force my opinion
Which alas many seem to do
I prefer at first to listen
To other peoples points of view.
By doing so I learn the facts
While showing others some respect.
Then can respond and not react;
Have a more positive effect.

It shows great insecurity
Or a lack of self confidence,
This seeming inability
To deal with valid arguments.
It is totally arrogant,
Makes absolutely no sense.
It is completely ignorant;
The height of low intelligence.

The best day of my life?
It's hard to pick one day.....
All those spent with my wife
Are the best I would say.

I cannot cry for I fear
That following my first tear
All the sadness felt before
Will see me cry ever more.
For if I let myself go
Years of tears will freely flow,
Once I shed that first tear drop
I may never, ever stop.

Oh dear God! Is that the date? Please tell me it’s not true
I did not know it was that late, I’ve got so much to do.
I might be ready at a push, if I do not panic
But it will be an awful rush, possibly quite manic.

So much Christmas fare to make, I do not know where to start,
Three puddings and at least one cake, oh I must not fall apart.
Then there are the letters for Santa, cards for the relations,
And of course the Christmas tree, plus all the decorations.

And I must order the turkey, and not forget the ham
why do I bring this on me, I’m stupid so I am
and do not forget the stuffing, the veg and the gravy
brandy sauce for the pudding, oh this will be the death of me

I have to buy so many presents, but there will be no shocks
Last year I saw sense, after I received so many socks
I must not forget anyone, just in case they visit
I know I will forget someone, oh it’s not worth it, is it?

I am so busy I cannot think, and time is getting near
Oh I must not forget the drink, like I did last year
I need to get the kids new clothes and probably new shoes
Why I do it only God knows, because they hate everything I choose

Which parties will I attend, it is really hard to know
Because it drives people round the bend, when I accept and then don’t show
There is a list of people I must see, or should I disappear
I think they are still mad at me, for not visiting last year

Oh there is so much to organize for this Christmas Day
But after being up to my eyes I might just sleep the day away
But ‘tis the season of good cheer, a time to show goodwill
But as the day draws ever near I am sometimes fit to ****

I will do my best to get it done, I have my mind set
To make sure that everyone has their best Christmas yet
So I must get my finger out, that much I do know
Because there are only about…..fifty weeks to go!!