My father worked at various jobs
After he left the pit
His health now broken
Heavy work he wasn’t fit for it
Mammy was the earner now
And didn’t she do well
Matron to old people now
I am very proud to tell
But daddy kept on going
His pride wouldn’t let him stop
Until the day the doctor said
Michael you’ve done enough
A quiet relief came over him
Permission to retire
And a smiling man sat in that chair
Beside his own hearth fire
Brian Fahy
16 April 2021
Erris Poetry 