My dad, retired miner went up Tyldesley
I’ll have a pint he thought, in Skennin’ Bobs
Welcome Traveller really but it’s nicknamed
After a squint-eyed chap who’d got that job
He sat up at the bar and got real comfy
When there came in a chap as black as coal
His skin so shiny it would put the light on
Like that Mane chap whenever he scores a goal
I wonder where this fellow’s from my dad thought
He’d travelled round the world a time or two
Darkest Africa I suppose but which part I do not know
I’ll ask him while we sup a gill or two
But being a sort of quiet gentle type
My father didn’t want to seem direct
It isn’t nice to be so impolite
I’ll ask him roundabout that’s more correct
He was burning for to know the man’s connections
After all, my dad knew desert sands
And Africa was home through war’s directions
When fighting Rommel and that high command
So easing to the chase my father ventured
Immortal words that leave a field of play
‘You’re not from round here are you’ said my old man
And waited for the gentleman to say
The man with shiny skin so black and handsome
Was ready an answered my old man
‘No I’m not from round here,’ came his ready answer
‘I’m from Salford like from Salford so I am’
Brian Fahy
21 April 2021
Erris Poetry 