Saturday evenings five o’clock
Hush now radio
Sports report and football results
Pools coupon x or o
Daddy at the table
Looking for eight draws
Evening fun and games
Put on pause
And raffle tickets strewn about the house
In his pockets
In top drawer and all
And betting slips a regular occupation
Grand National Day
We all got the chance to call
My Nanna and her sister liked a bet
But her brother was religious
From the war
Didn’t approve of gambling
Quick at his approach
The racing page removed from view
Hello
A chance to escape poverty
Win a bob or two
A chance to hope and dream
It might come true
My dad was never foolish
It was a science now with him
Course and distance
Weight and form
All was taken in
I had a bet when I was seven
Never Say Die the horse
Won the Derby
Piggott on his back
And a betting slip was found the day
My father said goodbye
Fervent Hope his selection
A lovely way to die
Brian Fahy
28 September 2021