Time I were dee-ing
My mother said
Talking to our Michael
She had parted with the last of her teeth
Such the human cycle
And age and weariness had come
Her energy departing
And sitting there in Westport town
It is hard to put your heart in
But heart she had in spades
We knew
Even with life ending
Cataract op and broken hip
Still she kept on mending
And taken from her home at last
In hospital bed to lie
She welcomed one and all
To her
Even the dog came by
She recited poems to the very end
The ones she’d learned in school
‘Dawn on the hills of Ireland’
A recitation cool
She mothered us from first to last
Was feisty to the end
She lived a life of love and work
With her there was no pretend
I don’t need the house to fall on me
A thing she’d often say
And famous quotes she’d send to me
When I was far away
We all have moods – another one –
The punch line coming next
But we don’t have to give them swimming lessons
Cheer up and don’t be vexed
She is still here in my life I sense
Like daddy Maggie too
I talk to them and ask them now
Tell me what you would do
I hear their voices clear and plain
Their love encouragement
Live well today and remember pray
Until we meet again
Brian Fahy
12 September 2021
Erris Poetry 