THE ATTIC

The Attic

Above the landing where the ceiling was high

was a cut in the roof, I Never saw as a boy

With the attic above, but nary a stair

it was hidden from view with meticulous care

A ladder was needed to examine that place

what could be up there in that unknown space

So, the brother's and I, got together one night

when our parents went visiting and were out of sight

With the borrowed ladder ,from a friend down the lane

we entered the attic, in the house with our name

The flashlight through shadows pierced with it's light

landing on items that would scare one at night

While holding our breath, we were held in awe

just gaping, bewildered at all that we saw
Then, over there, what scared us the most

were things galore that would frighten a ghost

Metal pieces all around, that one could assemble

with wooden shaped handles, we began to tremble

It was here then, that the guns were put together

during the troubled times that has lasted forever

With little sound, we climbed back down

and looked at each other, all with a frown

We all agreed that we would never tell

what we saw in the attic, or we would go to hell.

Michael Christopher Daly

Author's Comments:

"yes, hand guns were assembled in our attic during the 1920's...to fight British rule in Ireland"