'Sure, any fool knows that! Goes without saying <br />among us Gaels that one's dear mother <br />and her love are the only blessings in life, <br />and there's no doubt about that! ' <br /> <br />Mick put down his half-finished Guiness <br />and pointed to the ceiling overhead. <br /> <br />'God forgive me, but the ghost of her <br />clings! I remember coming home <br />and she sitting there at the kitchen table, <br />teacup in hand and just the crumbs <br />left from the cake she'd put away <br />on the soiled plate before her! <br /> <br />'Me dad was out of work again. <br />Life as a merchant seaman <br />was tough on the whole family. <br />When he was at sea, we ate! <br />When he came ashore and his <br />ship had sailed, we fair starved! <br />But the old girl made do with this <br />and that! We starved but we all <br />survived somehow through Irish <br />grit and stubborn pride! <br /> <br />'So fare thee well, Mom- <br />this lad misses you still! ' <br /> <br />Celia applauded her Mick <br />and they went up to bed.<br /><br />Michael Pruchnicki<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-irish-mother-knows-best/
