My Nanna died when I was ten
I remember how she smiled
How she welcomed us within
Her meat and potato pie a sin
Her cosy home so warm I was beguiled
My father’s mother Maggie Trumble
Lovely Nanna warm and humble
A pastry cook she was beyond compare
My mammy praised her cooking skills
And that’s high praise no fuss no frills
Nanna down Astley a gran without a care
Or so it seemed to my young eyes
I did not know her early cries
Losing her own mum and just thirteen
And losing brothers in the war
And losing a son at seven
These sorrows she endured before my scene
I only knew her baking pies
Meat and potato apple pie
And filling me on Sunday afternoon
And then she’s ill I go and see her
I didn’t know how I would miss her
She died at 68 and all too soon
But the warm embrace the fireplace
The smile so freely shared
Have stayed with me through all my living days
Love so simple love so true
Like a blanket that will cover you
It warms your life it never goes away
I saw a pie on screen just now
Meat and potato too I vow
And sure enough I saw my Nanna smile
When I arrive at heaven’s door
It will be Sunday afternoon for sure
And Nanna says hello you’ve been a while
Brian Fahy
17 September 2021
Erris Poetry 