Pat told stories of old times, living in digs <br />in Athy, working on the roofin’ for aul’ Hammond. <br />Me with my booklearning piped up <br />“I heard of Athy, <br />“And look! a barge comes bringing from Athy <br />And other far- flung towns mythologies.” ”, <br />lines from the canalbankpoet. <br />“Bet he never saw it in the lashing <br />rain”, Pat observed dryly. <br />No. Nor I had never seen it his way, <br />from a cold slate roof breaking galvanised <br />tacking nails with the long ripper, <br />and only the price of two pints in his pocket, <br />till Friday. <br /> <br />He was glad for me that I hadn’t. <br /> <br /> <br />Martin Swords May 2009 <br /> <br />i.m. Pat Swords 1915 - 1978 <br />On His Birthday 1st May<br /><br />Martin Swords<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/far-from-athy/
