I have never read Jane Austen
Don’t know why
Is it a world I can’t identify?
Whatever be the cause
I do admit
She makes good TV
And I’ve seen it
The little that I know
Reveals a girl
Who grew in wisdom
Through her social whirl
She knew the wayward wanderings
Of the heart
Her judgements shrewd
And so set her apart
I knew her house
I sat across the street
With a pint of beer
And The Guardian very neat
The Greyfriar pub
A hostelry of peace
And tranquil evenings
Brian at his ease
I had a great companion
In those days
Eddie Hone a Yorkshire-man
I know
We enjoyed the Hampshire hostelries together
As I tried to figure out
Which way to go
A crossroads of my life
I now had reached
And Counselling would help me on my way
But lovely country pubs
And lovely English beer
Provided balm and comfort every day
The house in Chawton
A refuge at the time
And dear old Gerry Costello
Friend of mine
Made sure I took my daily walk outside
Along that village street
And then incline
Inside that Greyfriar pub
To take my ease
Beside those leaded windows
A pint now please
To calm and soothe
A spirit in distress
I wonder now what Jane
Would make of this
The great thing is with writing
You can speak
Long after you have left this earthly state
And Jane encouraged reading
And writing all her life
I’ll follow her in that
It’s not too late
Brian Fahy
11 May 2021
Erris Poetry 