I just got to postin' a message now, Joe an' I hope it isn't too long fer the Forum. I haven't been able to write a message because o' sicknesses at home here. But I did imagine ye would like me poem . I have lots more that I wrote in all the years here. Maybe , if ye wish I could post a few more. Anyway Joe, I'm so glad that I can write to ye now..... Joe Donnelly, Austria
Me Belfast Friends
In me ould town o' Belfast, I knew a lotta people,
They lived their lives underneath Saint Peter's mighty steeple,
The Falls Road was aquainted, with many a good oul' friend.
An some o' them, remain, in time , me companions till the end.
I used to walk along the Road , when the day was nice an' warm,
An' meet a gal I knew so well an' remembered as a swarm,
But of all the gals I used to know, one sticks long in me mind.
She left me very long ago , to cross the mighty brine.
Then comes to mind the gal I loved, she was me favourite love,
She lived up in Garnet Street, red hair, voice like a dove,
But I knew then that, Patsy Mc, a gem o' Irish breed,
Could never be the wife of a man, born to be , a friend indeed.
An' all the other lassies, that I met upon the way,
I can't remember all their names, the past is o' so grey,
But I can remember Emily, a gal from ol' Sultan Street,
An' from Servia, wee cheeky Mary, again I'd love to meet.
I know it won't be me lot, to live it in me day,
But I'd love to know where they all are, it eats me heart away.
That indeed was truly a nice gesture to Joe and well deserving. It had density, honesty and deep down feelings many an exile has, including myself. It reflected Joe's stamp on "rushlight" . Well done J.D. Spoken from the heart.