A whisper a rumour
And the market shelves are empty
Toilet rolls and flour disappear
We do not dig or plant our food
We collect it from the stand
Mention the word shortage
Panic stalks the land
My mother’s days in Erris
Her food was all around
Potatoes cabbage vegetables
In Glencullen ground
Water from the river
Never known to dry
Heat from turf for warmth
Cooking by and by
Tea and flour
They’d have to buy
Or maybe barter eggs
A slate was kept at Reilly’s in the town
The girls in England sent money home
When they were grown and gone
The slate wiped clean
Their widowed mother sound
We depend upon each other
We depend upon the ground
But we’ve lost sight of basic truths
Expect things to go round
Water food and heating
My mammy’s cottage knew
Three necessities of life
May all be well with you
Brian Fahy
22 October 2021
Erris Poetry 