Saw it on You Tube video
Dublin harbour wall
The darkness of the black night sea
A ship tied to its stall
And facing out a blackness
England lies beyond
I’m heading into darkness
What now will I find?
Or was it gay adventure
My mum and Kathleen Ryan
McHale as was her cousin
Out on the ocean brine
Sailing to a new world
Wondering what they’d find
Work and domestic service
Drudgery unkind
It was all before them
Nineteen thirty-five
Soon a world exploding
Munitions nine to five
Irish dances Manchester
A broken heart came too
Before she met my father
And happily said ‘I do’
Brian Fahy
12 September 2022
Erris Poetry 