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.

Those who can clearly see and clearly hear
Who choose to turn a blind eye, a deaf ear
To all they do not wish to see or hear,
Are clearly shallow; clearly insincere.
Their own happiness is all they hold dear;
That they care not for others is quite clear.

More should use their common sense ere
It becomes uncommonly rare!

Is it better to try something
And to risk any consequence?
Or worse not to try anything,
Risk being of no consequence?

Fed up with your lot?
Focus on what you have got;
Not what you have not

Through trouble and strife
Find the good things in your life;
Concentrate on those.

How strong we can be
Only in adversity  
Can we truly see

Though today is Tuesday
Many think it Monday,
But that was yesterday...
'Twas a Bank Holiday!
Which in a strange weird way
Many thought was Sunday,
But just on Saturday
All of us knew the day!
But who cares anyway?
Tomorrow is Wednesday,
Just to get through Thursday
Then hooray!! 'Tis Friday!

Though it is brave to keep going
Whilst knowing what it is to fail...
It takes courage to keep going
Whilst knowing you cannot prevail.

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.

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.

The mist meanders through the copse
Beside the bridge over the brook,
Where both daffodils and snowdrops
Emerge everywhere one looks.
Watched over by weeping willows
Amongst other old ancient trees
A babbling brook gently goes
Winding through woods and valleys.
Further and further, on it flows
Below bridges both old and new,
Meanders through fields and meadows
Blanketed by the morning dew.

All through an awakening park
Warmed now by a weak winter sun
Night creatures leave only their mark,
Bedding down now day has begun.
Silence surrenders to bird song
A sure sign that day is dawning
Lo and behold before too long
Casts of creatures greet the morning.
Dawn gives way to a brand new day
Leaving a slight sense of sorrow
As magic moments slip away;
A different dawn tomorrow.

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!

You will always be my little girl
Though now a woman in your own right,
And as you step out into the world
I pray to God you will be alright.
Though in cotton wool I would wrap you
To keep you from all harm if I could,
I understand that if I were to
That I would do you more harm than good.
Over the past few years you have grown
Into a wonderful young lady;
The strength of character you have shown
Tells me I have no need to worry.
So go girl! Do what you have to do,
There's a great big world waiting for you!
But remember, whatever you do,
That I shall always be here for you.
Love Dad x

'Tis not the deep we should fear, No,
For we know not what is present;
Truth is we should fear the shallow
For all we do know is absent.

When lost in the depths of despair,
When all hope appears to be gone,
One has to dig even deeper
To find the strength to carry on.
Though one may doubt the strength is there,
It lies within us all somewhere.

Though those who can are many
Those who do are few...
The difference if any
Is the desire to?

Do cover your cough or your sneeze,
Dispose of hankies safely please.
Wash your hands immediately,
With soap and water thoroughly
For twenty seconds if not more,
And more frequently than before.

Disinfect ‘oft used surfaces,
Refrain from touching your faces,
Leave space between you and others;
At least six feet or two metres.
Stay at home where safe you shall be
To best protect your family.
The governments guidance obey
And “flatten the curve” we just may.

On each of us there’s an onus
To stop the spread of this virus;
We’re in this together truly,
Do your part! Act responsibly!

Do we, as a people, deserve to be critised?
Have we as a nation become so desensitised
to the plight of those among us who are marginalised?
Do we care nothing for the less well off, the disenfranchised?
Rents and cost of living as high as we have ever known,
numbers on the breadline and homeless have consistently grown,
so many suicides because people feel so desperate and alone,
how can we stand by and let this happen to so many of our own?
So many families torn apart and utterly devastated,
Far too many of our young people reluctantly emigrated,
People losing their homes, heartbroken and humiliated,
There is not much about this country now to be celebrated!

It’s true that during the recession most people lost a lot
But was it the booming economy that really started the rot?
Did we start judging each other by how much each had got?
Was compassion for our fellow man something we forgot?
Though going through hard times we still give much to charity
many services only possible because people work voluntarily
but the government rub their hands together with unashamed glee
Are they right to think our actions absolve them of all responsibility?
Though all of us are struggling, each with so much on our plate  
Should we not come together, do something before it is too late?
Surely the plight of these our people should prompt a national debate?
to ensure our government meets the needs of every last citizen of our state.
The frightening thing is, it could so easily be you or I
left unemployed or homeless, or barely scraping by
we cannot just dismiss it, the signs are all there
and if the present is anything to go by, will anybody care?

Women use the “Silent Treatment” as a strategy
When men transgress, no matter how trivial it might be
The following is an example, a scenario
Typical of how these situations go.
          
What have I said?
What have I done!
Don’t wreck my head,
Tell me please hon.
          
Was it that bad?
How could it be?
You will drive me mad
If you don’t speak to me!!
          
Was I so wrong?
What did I say?
This is going on too long
Is this it for the day?
          
It’s like a bad dream
This cant be right
Why don’t you scream
If you want to fight?
          
Are you so sick?
Or are you insane?
Does it give you a kick
To see me in pain?
          
I’m losing my patience
I’m not getting through
Would you please see some sense
And tell me WHAT DID I DO???
            
This is getting us nowhere
Can you stop messing around
You are just not playing fair
With this picture without sound
            
Right I’ve had enough
I’m not taking this anymore
You’re not speaking? TOUGH
I’m walking out that door.

Well I really don’t know
I’m away on the beer
Unless you can show
That you want me here

God! Did you speak?
******* down dead
Your voice was so weak
What was it you said?
                              
Why are you glaring?
Are you out of your tree?
Why are you staring
Like you could **** me?
                              
Have you nothing to say?
Why do you shake?
Do you want me to stay
Or was it my mistake?
                            
Right! I’m away out!
This is a joke.
You should spit it out
Before you choke
                            
Did you say don’t go?
Speak again fast
Are you in there Hello!
Time is getting past.
                          
Oh no! Not a tear!
Baby please don’t.
You don’t have to fear
I won’t go so I won’t!
                        
Is that all it was?
Oh It’s ok honey
I’m only laughing because
You must see it’s funny.
                      
You don’t have to cry
You don’t have to worry
Though I’m still not sure why
I am really sorry.

Entwined, despair and hope
As two strands of the one rope...

No wardrobe, no rabbit hole do I need
If it is to escape this world I look....
I just go to the library and read,
Where I can escape in a world of books.

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

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.

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

Who fears to own up to a mistake
Much worse mistakes may go on to make;
Until such time as fears are allayed
Mistakes shall continue to be made.
If mistakes all are afraid to name
Then who is at fault, who is to blame?

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.

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.

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.

I had a little cry today,
I shed a tear or two,
Though what about I cannot say...
I was just feeling blue.

It is better to try and fail,
Better to give it your best shot,
Than it is to let fear prevail,
To scupper the chance you have got.
To be afraid is natural;
Fears are real let us not forget.
But what you should fear most of all
Is a whole lifetime of regret.

All those chances you did not take,
Opportunities slipped away,
Those changes you chose not to make
Because you let fear rule the day.
But you can change in the future,
Many chances will come your way.
And even if you are unsure
Feel the fear, Do it anyway!

Without taking our first breath
we would never learn to breathe
Without having our first taste
we would never learn to feed.
Without taking our first step
we would never learn to walk
Without saying our first word
we would never learn to talk.
Without making our first mistake
we would never learn to learn
Without having our first dream
we would never learn to yearn.  
Without feeling our first want
we would never learn to need
      Without taking our first chance
      We can never hope to succeed !
© Damian Murphy 2020

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!

To the enemy you cannot forgive
You shall be bound for as long as you live.
Only forgiveness can sever the bond,
Can set you free to finally move on.
Though to forgive can be so hard to do,
Forgive not for your enemy....but you.

For what is past do not lament,
Yearn not for what is yet to be.
Learn to live now; in the moment
For it passes so fleetingly....

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.

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.

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.

At last they are away off on holiday
We thought the day would never come
A free gaff for two weeks, Hip Hip Hooray
We are going to party and then some!!

Two weeks with no rules or regulations
Gone are the mind-numbing routines
Let the party begin, bring on the celebrations
Let’s live it up like proper teens!

There was a sermon about responsibility
But was anyone listening at all?
As for all that talk about maturity;
One might as well talk to the wall!

We can have our friends over for parties
Oh we are going to have mighty craic
Yes, we can do just as we please
At least until those two come back.

No more checking over our shoulder
To see who’s in and who’s out
Yes we can be just that little bit bolder
Knowing they are not lurking about

We can get up whenever we choose
Eat at any old time of the day
Maybe overdo it a bit on the *****
They cannot wreck our heads the next day

It will be two weeks of take-aways
No more being forced to eat healthily
We can have friends over for overnight stays
Ah God bless freedom and liberty

We can forget about washing and ironing
They are always are on our backs
Thank God to be free of constant nagging
We can chill out, really relax.

For there is always something they want done
Keeping up with their demands is tough
It’s never ending, it’s not much fun
It seems we can never do enough

But now for two weeks all that will desist
Absolutely nothing will be done
And though they left a “To Do” list
They have two chances; “Slim and None”

Two weeks without judgement and criticism
About everything we do and say
Two weeks of pure hedonism
Doing just what we want every day.

But all good things must come to an end
And though we really love them dearly
Their two weeks holidays will soon end
and our kids will have to come home, clearly!

Look at what you did
Said the Ego to the Id,
Have you no Conscience?

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

Who doubts they are as smart
as they really are
Are amongst the most intellegent
By far.
For they will never be as arrogant
as some
Who think they know it all, which is just
Plain dumb!

They are mostly elderly, frail, ghostly pale, lying there in their beds, comatose. Drugged out of their heads on painkilling meds, rarely with their mouths closed, though many with their teeth close. Tubes in their nose or oxygen masks for those for whom breathing has become too much of a task, I suppose. Totally oblivious to all those of us who have chosen to visit, just to be close. Lost in a world of their own, fighting battles unknown to most of us.

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

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.

A hazy sun low in a cloudless sky
Of the most wonderful shade of blue
The only evidence of a cool night gone by
Lies in a blanket of sparkling dew.

Cobwebs glisten in the morning suns rays
Like diamonds in delicate lace
Silky trails sparkle where snails made their way
Sunlight capturing each delicate trace.

A stillness apparent in unmoving trees
Casting long shadows everywhere
Undisturbed by even the softest breeze
As a crisp coolness pervades the air.

Magpies, pigeons, and crows take flight
the first slow stirrings of the morning
Each one welcoming the morning light,
The sunshine bright and warming.  

Leaves of yellow, red, brown and gold
Reflect gloriously the morning sun
Creatures stirring, growing ever more bold
As another Autumn day has begun.

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!

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.

There are many types of intelligence
It can be measured in so many ways
But I do not care what anyone says
The most important must be common sense.

There are many people clearly
Who dislike Michael O Leary
And his company Ryanair
Who offer flights abroad, low fare.
I have to say I am a fan,
I have great respect for the man
For how he built the company
And boosted our economy.
When with Ryanair I have flown
Very few problems have I known.
What I pay for is what I get;
The have never let me down yet!
And they are always improving
With passenger numbers proving
Many like to fly Ryanair
Despite all the bad press out there.
Let's give credit where it is due,
To Ryanair and Michael too.
Ryanair is undoubtedly
A great Irish success story.

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?