I thought I’d stumbled
Inside The Quiet Man
That cottage White O’ Morn
Beside the stream
This cottage by the Moy
Four walls a fire
A Cailleach settle bed
A very dream
Old couple named Devaney
Made us welcome
Michael and Maria was the name
They used to live in Manchester one time
Until a Mr Hitler made the frame
The door had a half door
In the opening
My father went and stood there for a smoke
And suddenly the house was dimmed to darkness
I turned around and then a phrase awoke
He’s never darkened our door
From that day out
A phrase that Irish people often say
For the light that flooded the kitchen
Of that cottage
Came in the door and went out the same way
I never forgot the beauty of that cottage
Or of the simple folk who walked that floor
I pray the Lord of all to give them welcome
The day they came and darkened heaven’s door
Brian Fahy
4 May 2021
Erris Poetry 