Why is it that in company
I often feel the most lonely?
Lonelier than I"ve ever known,
Worse than ever I feel alone?

Sure as day always follows night
There shall always be those who write

Though the sea is the same to both,
An anchor will sink; a buoy float.
What matters not is circumstance
but what one is made of perchance?

No ambiguity let there be;
All racists are abhorrent to me!
If those we elect can't say the same
Alas 'tis to our eternal shame!
For the views of those whom we elect
Rightly or wrongly on us reflect!

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.

How others react when all goes to hell
So much about their character does tell.
How they act when things are going well though
Much more of their true character does show.
How one interacts daily with others
Of their character is a true measure.

I searched the world for treasure,
Traversed the globe from end to end,
Found no riches that could measure
Up to my family and friends.

They are worth more than anything,
they are precious beyond compare
To me they mean everything
My life is richer with them there.

Without them life would be poorer
They are priceless; family, friends.
In life there is nothing surer,
They're all that matters in the end.

Without mistakes, problems to solve
Best practice would never evolve;
For mistakes and problems create
A chance to learn, to innovate.

'Tis our nature to be humane
Though we prove time and time again
Just how inhumane we can be,
How we lack in humanity.

Whether on stone or wood, slate or leather,
Papyrus, parchment, vellum or paper,
With fingers or stylus, chalk or the quill,
Much later with the pen or the pencil,
Or the typewriter, computers today;
Writers, to write, will always find a way.

Truly great leaders have the skills
To turn mountains into mole hills,
Can those around them motivate;
A Can Do attitude create!

Though my friends may be but few
Many have not friends so true;
What counts is not the amount
But those on whom one can count.

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.

Is it wrong to enjoy being alone,
Is it socially unacceptable,
To want sometimes just to be on my own,
Not need to be surrounded by people?
It's not that I'm anti-social as such,
I'm quite at ease with my own company.
I do not crave company very much
As being alone does not bother me.
I worry for those who fear solitude,
Who feel that alone they would not survive;
For those who seem to have the attitude
That they need others in order to thrive.
It is those when alone who are at ease
Any company will far better please.

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.

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!

Those who can read, though not to choose,
Much more than those who cannot lose;
They are no more intelligent
Than those who want to read but can’t.
Who wants to but can't, one day will;
Though who choose not to, will not still.

Any man can drink 'til he drops,
Never know the right time to stop;
Can get out of his mind on drink,
So drunk he can no longer think!

It takes a real man to say No,
I've had enough, I have to go;
To be able to have a drink,
To enjoy the craic ... but still think!

In cotton wool I would wrap you,
Keep you from all harm if I could,
Though I know that if I were to
It would do you more harm than good.

Though to protect you I may yearn
I may not always be there to.
Therefore I must ensure you learn;
Both protect and empower you.

Today will soon be history
But what an opportunity
For us to shape our destiny!
It would not seem to make much sense
For us to waste this our one chance
To really make a difference!
Our yesterdays we must forget
Today is the one chance we get
for tomorrows without regret.
We should all embrace each new day
Tomorrow be able to say
We made the most of yesterday.

Often 'tis not what is said
But that which remains unsaid
That so much more can convey,
More than any words can say;
That can cause the most regret,
Can reverberate long yet.

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.

I had a friend in Psychiatry
Who was always trying to analyse me.
All attempts to put me on a scale
Depite all my oddities did fail,
And ended up driving him crazy!

Those who cannot hear the music playin'
Think because I dance, I am quite insane.
While I pray they hear music one day soon,
'Til then I'll keep dancing to my own tune!

Like the moon and the stars
My friends and family
Do in my darkest hours
Shine much brighter for me.
Each a glimmer of hope
In the darkness I see,
I know not could I cope
Were they not there for me.

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.

We like to think we know what we would do
Faced with any given situation,
Though unless it's something we have been through,
It is nothing but pure speculation.
Which is why advice must be qualified,
The person free to take it or leave it.
It is up to the person to decide,
To do whatever it is they see fit.
For it would be wrong for us to suppose
That what we advise is the only way.
Should they not take the action we propose
We need to be there for them anyway.
  Whatever they decide we should respect;
  Of our own friends it's what we would expect.

On this the start of the New Year
Friends and family far and near
Health and happiness I wish you
And good fortune the whole year through.

Sometimes in our hearts we know
Painful as though it may be
The time has come to let go,
that it was not meant to be.
It's not easy to move on,
The truth can be hard to take,
But holding on when it's gone
Is a mistake we all make.
We have to put ourselves first,
Let go of what's negative.
Though the pain can be the worst
We need to move on and live.
Only when we say goodbye
Leave it behind, in the past
Can we spread our wings and fly,
Be true to ourselves at last.

A much loved member of the family
Loved by everyone in their own way
Loving each in return unconditionally,
In their own unique way.

Always a warm welcome for everyone
Bringing a smile to every ones face
Providing so much laughter and fun
Winning in all hearts a special place.

So full of love and affection always
Giving us many hours of pleasure
Characters with their own little ways
So many of us come to treasure.

Offering true friendship and loyalty
Security and companionship too
Capable of showing true empathy,
Whatever we might be going through.

Listening intently to all we say,
A non-judgemental confidant
Beside us as we work rest or play
Happy to do whatever we want.
  
Asking very little in return from us
On whom they totally depend
Only that we not betray their trust;
That man would be a dogs best friend.

Don't you just love it whenever
Everything comes together?
When despite all your fears and doubts
Your hard work pays off, things work out!

The feeling is a special one,
That feeling of a job well done.
For though 'twas hard, you stuck at it;
Though you could have, you did not quit!

Alas, what is of importance,
What is of most significance,
We oft' know not by its presence,
We learn only by its absence;
Oft' we fail to appreciate
What we have before it's too late.

If to Fear we would succumb,
Nothing then would we become.

Who has time to make an excuse
Should put their time to better use!
It is the worst way time to use;
It is very hard to excuse!

For any question you might ask
Who will answer more honestly
Are those who are wearing a mask;
Can answer anonymously.
One has to wonder as to why,
It would seem a contradiction.
For it seems the best time to lie
As there's no fear of detection.

But with no mask, no hiding place
The truth is people often lie
So brazenly, right to your face;
I often have to wonder why!
Though a most peculiar thing,
Perhaps there's no contradiction?
These people may just be lacking
The courage of their convictions.

I may have had a misspent youth
Though to tell you the honest truth
I would not change a thing 'cos hey...
It made me who I am today.

Never could I imagine a friend who
Could be a better friend to me than you.
There's no better friend in reality;
Best friends forever I hope we shall be.

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

Who alone are quite at ease
Company are sure to please,
Those unhappy on their own
Perhaps are better off alone.

Tears come from the heart
Though through our eyes flow
To sadness impart
So others can know....

One more letter of rejection!
Disappointment and dejection!
Though many of such I receive
I still continue to believe!

I write because I feel a need,
(As vital as the need to breathe)
Words that others may never read;
Though just by writing I succeed!

My wife and I went down to the pub
Just the other day
We thought we’d have a drink and a bit of grub
It was such a beautiful day

Everyone there was in great form
Having a laugh and the craic
But one man did not seem to fit the norm
My dear wife seemed taken aback!

He certainly seemed to be full of the joys,
But looked like he had one too many
he seemed a lot drunker than the rest of the guys
though appeared much happier than any!

I wondered why this was bugging my wife so
She seemed more than a little upset
I asked her “Is he someone you know”
Never expecting the answer I’d get!

She explained he was her ex boyfriend
From about eighteen years ago.
She brought the relationship to an end,
had not seen him for twelve years or so

At the time he was absolutely devastated
He seemed to take the break up badly
She felt guilty about his whole life being wasted
She told me ever so sadly

She heard many stories after they parted
About him out partying every night
She felt guilty he was so broken hearted
But felt she had to do what was right

She heard he took heavily to the drink
Friends told her he went quite mad
But not for one minute did she ever think
Things had got quite so bad.

Friends told her he never really settled down
Went through one woman after another
He seemed overly fond of being out on the town
Always in one pub or the other

Be God says I, after deliberating
Because she was almost in tears
“Are you telling me he’s been celebrating
For nigh on eighteen years”?  

Well it got so quiet you could hear a pin drop
The atmosphere suddenly got much colder
I started laughing, I just could not stop
For six weeks I got the cold shoulder!

The day proved a valuable life lesson for me
I have since learned to keep my mouth shut
The only problem with that, unfortunately
Is that now I have nowhere to put my foot!

Eighty five dead today in Iraq
Following three suicide attacks.
But why is there no worldwide outcry?
How many innocents have to die?

As the death toll continues to mount
It seems these deaths somehow do not count.
Is it because they are "over there"
That so many of us do not care?

Have we not learned  from what went before,
When we could and should have done much more?
Each life should be equally precious,
If we think otherwise, shame on us

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!!

No halo have I
Nor do you have wings.
We are you and I
Imperfect beings.

Though for each other
Just perfect we are.
Loving each other
For all we both are.

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!

What or whom you believe in matters not
If believe in yourself first you cannot.

Though your words may be wonderful,
Welcome indeed..
They are made much more meaningful
When matched in deed.

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.

Was it me, or what made me think
That we were only supposed to be having a quick drink?
We were just popping in for a pint or two
But it seems it got out of hand, as these things do

If I had known things were going to go so far
There is absolutely no way I would have brought the car
But despite all my efforts to get on my way
There was always someone who begged me to stay

After that pint, I think the sixth one
I really began to join in the fun
really relaxing, somehow forgetting to worry
Sure weren’t they right? What was my hurry?

After a while; I really do not have a clue
I simply cannot remember what I did not do
I vaguely remember going out for some grub
And from the stamp on my hand I know I went to a club

But how did this auld one get into my bed?
What are these flowers doing round my head?
Where is God’s name did I get this garden gnome?
In fact how in the hell did I ever get home?

She seemed so annoyed I could not remember her name
storming off saying that all men were just the same
saying I was a different man than I was the night before
Check yourself in the mirror love, on your way out the door

Last night I had guessed she was about thirty three
But this morning she looked more like a pensioner to me
She was smaller and stouter, seemed to have lost half her hair
And so much paler Lord, how did I even think of going there?

Then she did her make up, hair extensions and false tan
False nails and eyelashes, the difference! Oh man!
I was astounded by the difference a corset and super bra makes
with her high heels on she was a foot taller for God sakes

She came down looking half her age, really quite the ride
seeing her made up like that at least restored some of my pride
But it did not change the fact she was old enough to be my mother
I must learn to be more discerning, one way or another !

Well thank God she eventually got on her way
the lads will **** me about this forever and a day
what I need is a cure, to chill out and relax
But unfortunately I am haunted by numerous flashbacks

I can remember feeling absolutely wonderful
thinking there was not a woman I could not pull
being convinced I was God’s gift to womankind
a sure sign I was completely out of my mind

I know I tried to chat up every woman in the place
Used my best pick up lines, though many laughed in my face
If they had a pulse it seems they were fair game
I tried young beauts and old boots, yes, I had no shame

I can see myself dancing, getting down to the beats
remarkable as I know I am blessed with two left feet
I can remember singing, were we at a Karaoke?
It is all coming back now, with horrifying clarity

I know I was refused entry to a number of places
My friends dragging me off bouncers when I got in their faces
their efforts rewarded by becoming targets for my rage
yet they still helped when I was violently sick at one stage

Oh God yes I was almost arrested at one time
I did not know peeing in public was an actual crime
I know I laughed at the copper, gave him some abuse
But when I saw the handcuffs my apologies were profuse

I can remember my friends becoming ever more frustrated
As I became louder and louder, increasingly opinionated
And yes the fire brigade were here, that was not a dream
I tried to cook when I got home, a “Full Irish” it would seem!

I have receipts for double vodkas with red bull
And Jagermeisters as well, things must have got dull
I spent a small fortune, my generosity obviously abounding
now my stomach is heaving, my head absolutely pounding

Have I any friends left? I must ring and see
And my car was towed, that is going to cost me
Oh dear God I feel sick, I am in so much pain
I know I say it every week but; I’m never drinking again!