Life is too short to be miserable.
Do what you love whenever possible.
Whether you live to work or work to live
It is vital you maintain perspective!

In Ireland we had built a truly independent nation,
standing proud after years of strife and deprivation
But we yearned to join Europe, enticed by her charms,
and she was happy to welcome us, with open arms
Once we used to have pounds, shillings and pence,
when we joined Europe we adopted euros and cents,
We bought in to a single European currency,
and got loads of money, for everything a subsidy

Yes Europe proved to be extraordinarily generous,
the goose that kept laying golden eggs for us
Our government went mental with the money Europe kept sending,
it appeared this generosity was never ending
And our banks joined in with unprecedented lending,
we the people were happy, ah the money we were spending
We threw caution to the wind, it was pure insanity,
we paid ridiculous prices for even the smallest property

Mortgages and loans were given out like sweets,
credit cards with no limit for those occasional treats
Yes the borrowing and spending went on unabated,
sure why wouldn’t it, it was completely unregulated.
There was so much money, loans were so easy to get,
each one of us accumulated a serious amount of debt
Most of us were living way beyond our means,
had we sold our souls for a handful of beans?

Such was our success, other nations did applaud,
we bought new houses and cars and apartments abroad
Credit cards and loans bought so much other stuff,
one could be forgiven for thinking we could never have enough
We changed as a people, became quite materialistic,
we wanted so many things that were beyond realistic
we forgot what was important, which was really quite sad,
judging each other it seemed now by how much each had

To be any more than ordinary
Requires that little extra simply!

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.

With each new day I am born anew
Into a world of opportunity.
There is no limit to what I can do
Nor to the potential within me!

Not all angels have a halo or wings.
Not all demons have tails, horns protruding.
It can be so hard to tell them apart
For good and evil lie within the heart.

Who in their right mind would choose to be a Mother?
For it is indeed a calling quite unlike any other
From the minute their children draw their first breath
Mothers are there for them right up until their death

They see their children as a gift from the man above
Feed them and nourish them, shower them with love
Watch over them, protect them, give them security
Let them know their Mothers love them, unconditionally
                                  
Mothers ensure their children have everything they need
Do absolutely everything they can to help them succeed
Praise, scold, and encourage them as they begin to grow
teach them all of the important things they need to know.

A Mother is on duty every single hour of every day
working the maximum of hours for little or no pay
gets very little thanks, shown precious little gratitude
in fact from kids a Mother gets mostly bad attitude!

Not one minutes break from the stress and the worry
Caused by kids who seem determined to grow up in a hurry
Who tend to question everything their Mother might say
Often accusing their Mothers of getting in their way.

Even when they cannot seem to do right for doing wrong
A Mothers love for her children remains forever strong
Mothers never give up no, no Mother will ever rest
All they want is for their children to be their very best.

Mothers guide us through childhood and our teenage years
There for us through good and bad times, laughter and tears
Often taken for granted, we don’t appreciate them as we should,
only realising how much they do for us when we reach adulthood

But a Mothers job is not done when her children are all grown
Even after they are married, have homes and children of their own
Mothers still worry and stress because they genuinely care
Ensuring their children know their Mother will always be there.

So if you love your Mother do not be afraid to say
You should tell her more often but especially on Mothers Day
While it is lovely to give flowers and gifts and such
They would mean so much more with a personal touch

For all she has done for you she deserves a big “Thank You”
It would mean so much to her to hear you say “I LOVE YOU”
though you may think she already knows it,  Say it anyway
because those three little words would make any Mothers day.

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.

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!

Never should children have to know
How much to their parents they owe.
Although when they reach adulthood
Know, without being told, they should.
How parents give to us so much,
How grateful we should be for such.
Whether passed on or living yet,
Ne'er should we our parents forget.

Have not all of us made mistakes we regret?
Have we all done things we would rather forget?
But do we not all learn through experience?
Do we not grow, evolve as a consequence?

If from past mistakes we have learned a lesson,
If as a result we're a better person
Perhaps the only mistakes we should regret
Are those we have taken no learning from yet?

How on earth could they not have known
All those who tried to bury me?
That buried I was not, but sown
Only to grow stronger daily!

How on earth could I not have grown
Fed by their negativity?
Which was fertile enough alone
To both nourish and strengthen me.

They could have just left me alone,
There was no need for it really!
Now they must reap what they have sown,
Must take responsibility!

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?

If I had given up along the way
No way would I be where I am today.
Though reaching our goals can at times be tough,
To get where we want...we must want it enough.

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.

Never put up with anyone
Who is always putting you down!
Your life would be a better one
Without them and their ilk around.
Let negativity begone
And positivity abound!

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.

To our fears we could easily succumb
Or try our hardest them to overcome;
Choose to let them rule us and stagnate
Or use them to ourselves motivate.
For when we overcome our fears only
Can we be all we could possibly be.

Writers write not to fill bookshelves;
Writers write to fulfil themselves.
They write because they feel a need,
Words they know others may never read.

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!

A quiet man
who does all he can
for his family,
That’s my Dad

A gentle soul
who dedicated his whole
life to providing for us,
That’s my Dad

A tower of strength
who would go to any length
to ensure we do not want,
That’s my Dad

Never says much
but his manner is such
that we heed every word
That’s my Dad

A guiding light
teaching us wrong from right
through his words and deeds
That’s my Dad

Extraordinarily gentle
not one bit judgemental
yet gets his message across
That’s my Dad

A gentle giant
forever reliant
always there for us
That’s my Dad

A reassuring voice
a great source of advice
when life proves challenging
That’s my Dad

Steady as a rock
when life gives us a knock
always getting us through
That’s my Dad

Never thinks twice
is quick to sacrifice
his own needs for ours
That’s my Dad

So full of fun
loves to see everyone
making each of us feel special
That’s my Dad

Worked hard for all he’s got
seems content with his lot
now he has finally retired
That’s my Dad

Now a Grandad
at which he isn’t half bad
the grandchildren all love him
That’s my Dad

Sharing his life
with our Mother, his wife
for many happy years
That’s my Dad.

Not always appreciated
we often left him frustrated
during our childhood years
That’s my Dad.

I can only aspire to be
half as good a Dad as he
there’s only one true hero for me
That’s my Dad

A fantastic Dad
none better could we have had
we are all so proud to say
That’s my Dad

A man I love
and thank God up above
every day for the man
That’s my Dad.

If all were either black or white,
If grey areas there were none;
If all were either wrong or right,
One or the other, no question,
Would it be either good or bad?
Would it be a blessing or curse?
Would it make us happy or sad?
Would we be better off or worse?

A broken heart
I would welcome
If truth be told

Over a heart
That would become
Unfeeling... Cold.

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?

Where all might look hopeless,
There is still hope no less.

Every once in a while
Every one of us should
Take time out to give thanks for
All in our lives that is good,
To truly appreciate
Just how well off we all are;
How really we have it great,
Could be much worse off by far!

Always remember....

When life is a struggle
And everything is ****,
Make like a Dung Beetle;
Just learn to roll with it!

                                          ....Life will get better!

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

What I admire most of all
Is the leaf that is last to fall;
That so resolutely lives on
When many thought it would be gone.

A symbol of strength and courage
As life enters its final stage,
Facing a foretold destiny
With so much grace and dignity.

Each day struggling to survive
Against all odds, to stay alive.
Somehow finding the will to fight,
To remain proud despite her plight.

There is no doubt the day will come
When finally she will succumb,
Though I shall always love, admire
Her will to live, her sheer desire....

For all in life she gave to me
I shall cherish her memory,
Though her love of life I believe
Is the true legacy she leaves.

Were it not for friends like you
I know not what I would do.
No better friend could there be
Than the friend you are to me.
Glad I am you are my friend,
Long may it last, never end!

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.

The three little words
I will never say
Are that "I Give Up"...
No! Never! No Way!

You died, By Suicide
And I cried,
and cried and cried.
Inside, Part of me died
Cos you lied,
and lied and lied.
You’re gone, and I’m the one
To suffer on,
and on and on.
Why, Why? You had to lie?
Chose to die?
Oh why Oh why?
You knew, I loved you
So why you?
Why you? Why you?
I try to understand why
But I cry,
and cry and cry.
Heart break, a pain that makes
My soul ache,
and ache and ache.
You knew, what I’d go through
You had to!
**** you! **** you!
Sorry, but you hurt me
Needlessly,
badly, sadly.
Guilty and so angry
You left me
lonely, empty.
Someday, the hurt just may
Go away,
I pray and pray.
Love you, will always do
Forgive you?
That’s hard to do!

"What will be will be"
Seems like a cop out to me?
Where there is a will...

Life can exact a heavy toll
Unless you pay heed to your whole;
Your mind, your body and your soul!

Is not the Moon when full
All the more beautiful
For the scars all can see
Which it displays proudly?

Know that if you hit rock bottom,
Are feeling that all hope is gone.....
There is no firmer foundation
You will ever have to build on.

Those who lack a common purpose,
A strong sense of fraternity,
Rarely shall be victorious
Against a common enemy.

Those who choose to work together,
  Who share responsibility,
Who unite in their endeavours,
Have much more hope of victory.

If our past we could rearrange
For better or worse would things change?
If our future we could foresee
Would it a curse or blessing be?
If all we have is the present
Should we not savour each moment?

Life events will have an impact
Both negative and positive.
It all depends on how we react,
Cope with such changes as we live.

Some bring great joy, sorrow or pain;
They change us fundamentally.
Life cannot be the same again
As we view it differently.

Life will go on nevertheless,
No doubt more changes we shall see.
And how we react, nothing less,
Shall decide how our lives will be.

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.

If the world my oyster be...
Then, my love, the pearl is thee.
Without you my world would be
Just a shell; would be empty

Nothing we do can ever change the past
It is now history, over and gone.
Until we can accept that fact at last
Can we ever hope to truly move on?
And who can know what tomorrow will bring,
Or if tomorrow we will even see?
Why waste precious time waiting and hoping
For something that may never come to be?
So forget tomorrow and yesterday,
Live in neither the past or the future.
Resolve to make the most of each new day,
Every moment promise to treasure.
A new day is a gift we are granted
Which not one of us should take for granted.

Remember...
When comic books were the real big thing
and kids everywhere waited eagerly
every week excited to start reading
the latest Beano or Dandy
Remember…
Enjoying Dennis the Menace and Gnasher,
Minnie the Minx and the Bash Street Kids,
Roger the Dodger, Scrapper and Basher,
Beryl the Peril and Billy Whizz.
Remember…
Thinking Bully Beef and Chips were so great;
the awful things that Bully would do!
Not forgetting Desperate Dan and Keyhole Kate
who were always fantastic too.
Remember…
When we used to read the Sparky or the Topper
or the Buster or even the Beezer
without of course forgetting the Victor
or Roy of the Rovers either.
Remember…
When they had the Bunty for girls too,
the Mandy and Judy as well,
which many boys would read it is true;
though all promised never to tell!
Remember…
Waiting patiently each year for Santa to bring
the Annual edition of your favourite one,
spending hours on Christmas Day just reading;
and reading was the best thing under the sun!
Remember…
When everyone joined their local libraries
soon after schooldays had begun
When you were sure to find a book to please
and reading was so much fun.
Remember…
When books transported us to another world,
each new book a revelation,
instilling in us a love of the written word;
really fuelling our imagination!
Remember…
How much enjoyment you got from reading
and what little effort it really took,
how the pressures of life soon began receding
when you immersed yourself in a book.
Remember…
To try and make time to read a good book,
to take time out every now and then,
and you never know, with a bit of luck;
You might fall in love with reading again.

Watched over by magnificent ancient trees
though perfectly placed to capture the sun
surrounded by walls of multi coloured ivy’s
there lies a paradise second to none.
Bright vivid colours, shades and hues
only add to the general splendour
yellows, pinks, oranges, reds and blues
colours any artist would be challenged to render.
There are lilies, marigolds, roses and petunias
creepers and climbers racing down and up
geraniums, pansies, lavenders and begonias
grass peppered with daisies and buttercups.  
All day butterflies, wasps and bumble bees
work tirelessly alongside one another
relentlessly searching for flowers that please
flitting constantly from one to the other.
A wide variety of flowers, plants and shrubs
burst forth from hanging baskets, flower beds and tubs
providing shelter thus becoming teeming hubs
full of worms and snails, insects and grubs.
Birds rear young nesting in trees and bushes
foraging for food amongst the growing throng
blackbirds, finches, pigeons wrens and thrushes
together creating truly melodic birdsong.
A place that transforms long after night fall
when nocturnal creatures have hunting to do
field mice and hedgehogs from the undergrowth crawl
while the odd wary fox occasionally passes through.
Alas for many the garden becomes just another chore
far too busy to see it can offer so much more
never making the most of the opportunity to see
what a wondrous, thriving paradise a garden can be.

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.

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.

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.

Let not others expectations
Impose on you limitations.
They know not your true potential;
Of what you might be capable.
Who knows any better than you
What you might be able to do?
Though your limits you may reset
As extra confidennce you get.

Of expectations all one needs
Is for all of them to exceed.
Not only others but your own,
For potential is an unknown.
With learning, life experience
There comes a growth in confidence.
Who can tell what you can achieve
If in yourself you can believe?

Memories of times long past
Memories that seem to last
One thing I remember, it was special to me
Is the hideout known as The Loose Tooth Tree.

It was in a hedge where many trees did grow
It looked nothing special if you didn’t know
But for me and my pals it was something just ours
where we could escape for hours and hours.

It was completely covered with dark green ivy
Though the roots were loose, making it quite shaky
But once inside you were impossible to see
Ideal for a hideout we named the Loose Tooth Tree.

Though you could see out cross the fields everywhere
If you were quiet no one knew you were there.
Keeping it secret was just half the fun
An oath of secrecy was sworn by everyone.

Bits and bobs from everywhere made it our own
A great place to be, with the gang or alone
Jokes and stories were told, there was great laughter
And yes we discussed girls, and the ones we were after.

We had blackjacks, fruitsalads and bullseyes too
Time bars and curly wurlys that took ages to chew
A place to relax where there was no sense of hurry
We were so young sure we didn’t have a worry

We used it for cowboys and indians, hide and seek
The rare risqué mag there did we peek
Indeed it is where I tried my first smoke
When my pals were convinced I was going to choke.

We ambushed the boys from Clongowes when they came to town
Yes us boys from the Terrace gained some renown
It was all good clean fun, just fisticuffs back then
And didn’t it help us all on our journey from boys to men

We were Smiths and Nevins, Murphys and Callans
Dorans and Behans, Delaneys and Ryans
All from St Brigids and so proud of the fact
“No outsiders allowed” was a part of the pact

We had bags of crisps that cost only two pence
Wore platform shoes so high they didn’t make sense
Flared collars so wide we were in danger of flight
We had hair so long it often interfered with sight.

We listened to the Osmonds, the Monkees and Status Quo
We loved Abba and Gary Glitter (how were we to know)
We loved the Waltons, Top Cat and the Flintstones, yabadabadoo
Little House on the Prairie, Shirley Temple, and the Little Rascals too

Yes The Loose Tooth Tree belonged to St. Brigid’s Terrace
But as more houses went up other kids proved a menace
Two bits of wood and a nail, we all had a sword to fight
and peg guns proved effective if the aim was right.

We decided to make up a language all of our own
What we were saying others had no way of knowing
Not parents nor priests, not teachers or anyone
And we had such mighty craic, it was so much fun.

It was an innocent time, we were all boys growing
Our lives were changing without us really knowing
In the Loose Tooth Tree we were all good friends together
Making memories that would stay with each of us forever

It was during the seventies in my home town of Clane
Upon leaving ‘twas two decades ‘til I saw it again
To my dismay the Loose Tooth Tree was no more
But it will live on in my memory for evermore.