My Mother
The gift of a life that was given to me,
Was the day when I was born,
My mother cradled me in her loving arms,
On a hot July morn.
I was nursed, fed and bathed,
This happened day in and day out,
The love and care that was given to me,
Goes beyond compare I have no doubt.

Defenceless to the world around,
Too young to understand,
My mother was always there for me,
The greatest friend in all the land.
She worried for me when I was sick,
And nursed me back to health,
The love of a mother is a wonderful gift,
No money could buy, she was my wealth.

She took me to school on my first day,
And when I cried she gave me a kiss,
Then she collected me when it was time to go home,
All day I looked forward to this.
Then came the time my communion I made,
She dressed me up as best as she could,
My new suit my new shoes and my medal,
She was as proud as any mum would.

She looked after me through all my school years,
Confirmation came along all too soon,
Another new suit, new shoes and a medal.
And the joy shown in her face was a boom.
When the time came around for me to leave school,
She was there at my side when I needed her,
She prayed for my future in life,
And that I would have many happy days,

For a secure job a family and a good wife.
Well true to her prayers all this came to pass,
Then the day came when she passed away,
For the gift of life she had given to me,
I’ll remember her ‘til my final day.
By Sonny Kinsella

Think again
Think again before you utter
Words that cause another’s pain
Wounded hearts are slow in healing
If they ever heal again.
What’s the use of being sorry
If regrets are all in vain
Curb your tongue for just one moment
Think again.
By Anon

There’s a reason
When I awake and see you
lying by my side
I know that there’s a reason
And I cannot hide my pride

There’s a reason why now
My heart beats strong and true
There’s a reason why I’m smiling
And its all because of you

When I hear the birds are singing
and the sun shines throughout the day
even though there may be storms ahead
or trouble on its way

I know that there’s an answer
To all life’s trials and fears
I know there’s no room in this life
For loneliness and tears

I know that you’re the one
Who takes away the questions and the fear
And I know I can face any hurdle
When you are in my life so near

Whatever life may throw at me
Whatever problems I may face
I can overcome them
When I look into your face

Tonight I close my eyes
And turn our bodies into one
And know that when tomorrow comes
A new life will have begun.
By Audrey Healy

A letter from the afterlife
I woke up to the fact that I am now dead
Having passed away peacefully in my bed.
I’m deceased, defunct, totally departed
Gone from a life I long ago started.

Glad I am dead, I could do with the rest
The body’s tired, the brain not the best.
Gave it my best shot, took life as it came
Have no regrets at the end of the game.

Been a good life, can’t really complain
80 odd years, most of them sane.
Never harmed anyone, never scolded a cat,
Paid all my bills, including the VAT.

I lie here now and wait my fate
Will I be next in line for heaven’s gate?
Maybe hell will be my home for not going to mass
Or could I just stay here, six foot under grass.
By Brian Kelly

See the smile
See the smile upon my face
You put it there with your sweet lips
Feel the energy inside
You put it there with your sweet kiss

If you give me a little of your time
You give me another chance
To lose myself in your arms
To become immersed in your dance

Together we could have joined as one
And journeyed far and wide
Together we could build on
Those feelings deep inside

See that love shine in my eyes
You put it there with your sweet kiss
You brought me to a place so beautiful
Of eternal unwavering bliss

You made me lost for words
Unable to comprehend
The feelings running round my heart
The messages that you send

The flicker of electricity
That tingles down my spine
The savoured knowledge that I am yours
And you are always mine

The magic that I breathe with you
The light that shines in your eyes
The loving things that you do
That take me my surprise

And I wonder if tears fall upon your pillow
Or if you can’t sleep at night

If darkness descends on you
Until the cold morning light

And I wonder if you feel
The depth of pain that I sometimes do
Coupled with the love
That I sometimes feel for you

And I wonder if we will ever
Tell each other how we feel
And I wonder if we’ll ever know
If we can make our true love real
By Audrey Healy

The stolen child
Nothing can bring you peace
But yourself.
My heart is getting better.
No men included.
Going forward
In the most extreme solitude,
Like going
Across the desert.
I know how to survive
I trained as a child.
By Patrick Duffy

As always, we welcome contributions to
The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the
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Ringsend, Dublin 4.
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