Sure, not a bother, McGraths is it you said …. <br />You’ll be after being at Mary Ellens funeral then. <br />A great crowd and the priest spoke well <br />Fine day for the living is angels by the grave for the dead. <br /> <br />No one left at the old place now the old girl’s gone. <br />You put me in mind of her only kid, <br />Fell out, or so I heard, a long time back, <br />A great pity that, but sure, isn’t it true, <br />Life marches on. <br /> <br />But you’re not here to be listening to an auld man blatherin, <br />Directions you were wanting, McGraths you said. <br />Now if I were you young lady, and ‘tis easy see I’m not <br />It’s not this road I’d be after takin. <br />But sure you’re here, that’s a tired sun, <br />And its west your facing. <br /> <br />Go on down this road a ways, about a mile, <br />Perhaps a little more, then at Careys Cross go left. <br />Be careful mind, do not take the bog boreen, <br />‘Tis hardly used at all these days. Modern times. <br />What with new-fangled central heating and the like <br />It's not turf now ye young ones are wanting to be cuttin’. <br /> <br />Where was I now, oh yes, McGraths. <br />You’ll not be going very long when soon as spit you’re <br />At spinney fork, keep right of old Stump Murphys well. <br />Follow on that road a spell, down past Vinnie Healys pit <br />And in the littlest while you’ll pass the co-op creamery yard. <br />Closed now, but sure, more progress I suppose. <br /> <br />Beyond this and where the road turns from road to path <br />Twists round and back upon itself <br />McGraths.<br /><br />Prionsías Ó Canáin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-final-journeys/
