ALL WAS UP with Richard Tanner— <br />‘Wait-a-Bit’ we called him. Dead? <br />Yes. The braceman dropped a spanner, <br />Landed Richard on the head; <br />Cracked his skull, sir, like a teacup, <br />Down the pump-shaft in the well. <br />Braceman hadn’t time to speak up, <br />Tanner never knew what fell. <br /> <br />Tell the widow? Who’d go through it? <br />No one on the shift would stir; <br />But Pat Ryan said he’d do it— <br />‘Nately break the news to her.’ <br />Pat’s a splitter, and a kinder <br />Heart I never wish to know. <br />Stephens told him where to find her, <br />Begged him gently deal the blow. <br /> <br />In a very solemn manner <br />Ryan met the dead man’s wife— <br />‘Mornin’ to yez, Widdy Tanner!’ <br />Says he gravely, ‘Such is life!’ <br />‘I’m no widow!’ says she, prying <br />For the joke in Ryan’s eye. <br />‘’Scuse me, mum,’ says Paddy, sighing, <br />‘’Scuse me, mum, but that’s a lie.’ <br /> <br />‘That remark would be repented <br />If Dick Tanner heard,’ says she. <br />‘Meanin’, mum, the late lamented <br />Party av that name?’ says he. <br />Still the widow missed the notion, <br />Wonder only filled her eye; <br />So Pat smothered his emotion, <br />Gulped, and had another try. <br /> <br />‘’Tis like this, ye see, me honey, <br />I’ve been sint t’ let ye know <br />Ye’ve inherited some money— <br />Twilve ’r fifteen pounds ’r so. <br />Through a schame av Providence’s, <br />Which no mortal man could dodge; <br />Poor Dick’s funeral expenses <br />Have fell due, mum, at the lodge!’<br /><br />Edward George Dyson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/breaking-it-gently/
