"Nellie"

She had the ability to do both jobs
with her own vigor and flair
There was never a complaint filed
Because she did them with care

She never requested time off
Just a little break now and then
Her ability to lead was strong
On a scale. she rated a ten

Ten years she handled both jobs
Seven days a week she done it
On Sunday morning you'd see her
Dressed up and wearing a bonnet

On week days she was a Horse
pulling a laden cart everywhere
On Sunday she became a Pony
Guiding the trap to the fair.

Michael Christopher Daly
Jan. 29, 2007

"Memories"

I share your dreams of yesterdays though times were hard enough Thinking back , bring memories of friends and youth and stuff Who could ever think of Growing old there was no time for that So much to do, so much to see shove aging in your hat But time does not belong to us which is not so bad at all "Cause if we age with dignity we can surely ,stand up tall Yes, I share your dreams of yesterdays I am there with you in time And I love the memories that they bring, because there yours and mine

Michael Christopher Daly Dec. 2006.

"Off The Ice Maggie"

When Limerick winters were in full bloom
and you had no place to go
You'd look out the streaky old window
hoping to see much snow

Back then, the snow was awfully wet
You're breath spoke in the air
Better get away from the window
and sit by the fire on a chair

When the snow let up a bit
you donned your hobnail boots
Then to the top of the New Road you went
To join up with the neighborhood youths

Each carried a pail of water
Their token to develop our scheme
When poured down the hill of the New Road
It froze all the way to our dream

We had no problems with traffic
There were hardly any cars, you see
So we ran and jumped on the ice trail
with each of us filled with glee

The cost was a pail of water
and our clothes were somewhat baggie
And we screamed while skating down
"OFF THE ICE MAGGIE"

We jostled to get in position
To see who could stay to the end
As we spent another day of winter
The best way we could, with a friend

Michael Christopher Daly
Nov. 6, 2006

"NAM"

As I write all alone
it is quiet out here
There are stars in the sky
But I'm filled with fear

Who the enemy is
it is hard to tell
'Cause they all look alike
in this living hell

How can I sleep
on a rock for a bed
With a rain soaked poncho
to cover my head

With boots caked with mud
and socks to match
And death all around
so easy to catch

There's no room for smiles
or jokes out here
You must be mentally alert
know all sounds by ear

Any moment you relax
both body and brain
Your lifespan is limited
like drops of rain

I've been lucky so far
I still have my health
And I'm positive now
it's better than wealth

So I'll stay on my knees
and to God I pray
I'll get home to my family
Safe...some day

Michael Christopher Daly
1970

Love

Love is not comparable It's out there on it's own It changes from dependency As we become more grown Love is more than physical It's a mental state as well Combine the two and you will have The magic of a spell Love will come to everyone It does not discrimate It happens kind of suddenly With no set time or date Love will raise you to new heights With the magic of its spell And just as quickly let you see The other side of hell Michael Christoher Daly (mid 1980's)

Good bye Nellie Last night I sat by Nellie’s fire And watched the embers glow My thoughts were scattered here and there With things I ought to know I watched her trail across the room To reach the bedroom door Her shoes behind–her hair so neat Her clothes along the floor I tiptoed in to take a look She looked so naked there Her eyes a sparkle, lips so moist And a ribbon in her hair She did not speak– she hardly moved Where she laid her head to rest I kissed her cheek then her neck And the nipple on each breast She slowly moved and pulled me down And we became one together The night just faded out itself And loving would go on forever But fate is blind as on this night And there came no warning As things would change a night of bliss Into a dreadful morning A flash of light, A gunshot sound As we curled up for cover And Nellie passed without a word Shot by her female lover. “Goodbye Nellie” Michael Christopher Daly. 05/25/2005

"My Car And I"

The year was 1954, Limerick was the place Life was good and vibrant and we enjoyed it without haste Billy Quaid had a car for sale, it blew away my mind It wasn't just any old car, it was just that one of a kind A 1942MG Roadster Convertable, spoked wheels and runnming boards A car that was made for me alone, that I certainly , could not afford So I borrowed the money where I worked, McKenna's Furniture Store On Patricks Street, next to Cruises Hotel, alas they're not there anymore That car became a part of me, and I a part of it It wasn't made to seat a group, as only two could sit None the less we had great times, as in Cork after a Rugby War The rest of the team went went down by bus,Nutty O"dea and Myself in my car The bus was due to leave at eight, but four got left behind The weather got colder as it got dark and the roadway was hard to find All had to get home that night to be at work next morn But when they saw the little MG, faces showed signs of forlorn The fog came in as we started off, Nutty and I watching the road Two of our buddies perched behind and two lying on the running boards I drove home to Limerick that night, slowly as the fog became worse Calling out to the running boards often, only to hear an answer with a curse The four had faces of blue, when they stood beside the car Thankful we all got back, as we entered a late night bar Just one of many stories, with friends and my Roadster MG Wherever that car was spotted, they knew where to find me Michael Christopher Daly Jan 5, 2007

"Loving You"

The sun is low in the heavens above The sky is close to all blue I sit here alone, looking out to sea My mind filled with thoughts of you I let the sand pour through my fingers Just like your hair used to do When you an I sat together On those days of long, long, ago But you and I are still together If anything my love has grown As I look in your eyes so puzzled They appear to be in the unknown Alzheimer's, the name they gave it Came like a thief in the night Bit by bit stole your memory Now we fight it with all of our might I can tell when your memory is working You look at me with a childs guile I know the remembrance is there As we look at each other and smile I thank God for the strength he gives me To fight the problems we share I will tell you each day that I love you And for you, I will always be there Michael Christopher Daly

Korea

Over there lies my buddy, death he did dread
Last night he slumped over with a hole in his head
He was big, Rough and strong. so full of life
But I had best make a note,so they can tell his wife

He had guts, that man. sure he was wild
But he was also the father of a beautiful child
I'm so scared all alone, in this hole full of mud
I still have my prayer book but it's covered with blood

They call this the mop up war, it'll be over soon
Please Jesus end it, before the Monsoon
I know there's a reason for my being here
I glance at my buddy and I can't shed a tear

In just a few short months, my world's become unreal
This body and face shows Ive aged a great deal
This war will end,I know this is truth
But I will never regain, my years of lost youth.

m.c.d. 1959

"Gifts"

If you walk the Boreen, to the field on the hill
'Tis there you'll find that time stands still
The only sounds from over the wall
Seem to test ones hearing, or not at all

No one to talk to, No one to see
No need for impressions, just let yourself free
Enjoy the blessings of being alone
And admire the walls, put together with stone

You can feel the wind sweeping by in silence
No beginning, No end, No measure, No guidance
"Twill rain". they said. "Stay close to your car"
"Or better still, take a drink at the bar"

Being this close to heaven they cannot see
The Gifts that surround them, "Let the rain fall on me"
m.c.d. 2/16/2006

Failed Communication

Failed Communication

You said last night it was over for you

Our relationship had lost its charm

You left a note on the desk by the door

Saying; it is best we not cause any harm

I called all our friends to see if they knew

Where you intended to go

But it was all a surprise and a shock to them

As they said that they didn’t know

Your clothes were still inside the closet

The car was parked near the door

I dressed and quickly left the house

Afraid I might see you no more

I followed the footprints I saw in the sand

It was early in the morn

The sun threw her golden mantle around

As a grand new day was born

Anger, then fear swelled in my mind

I thought you had forgiven me

The only footprints in the sand that morn

Were the ones that led out to the Sea

Michael Christopher Daly

Nov. 2, 2007

The Ocean

We watch the beauty of the ocean
along the shore
As the waves, in different forms
has us longing for more

The breeze carries the refreshing
smells and taste
As we sit, lie, or play
and do things with little haste

We stand knee deep, awaiting
the waves slap on the back
We dare her to tumble us
on her next attack

The waters are enhanced
by the sun and sand
that seem to say
"When it's all together, it is simply grand"

However, the beauty of the ocean
quite often disappears
As we have come to see time and again
throughtout the years

The turmoil that breathes below
we cannot forsee
Lies hidden to our eyes
beneath her sea

But when provoked
her evil powers unleashed
Erupts to her surface
screaming, to make its deadly speach

Great ships have zigged and zagged
across her haunting face
To disappear from view, forever
without a trace

So, admire the ocean
from views along the shore
But beware of her
or you may be nomore

S tand By Me

STAND BY ME

I dare you to stand by me

I dare you to do what is right

Our country needs Our help

Before the darkness of night

I dare you to think for yourself

I dare you to take a chance

Politicians stop thinking defeat

As this country was built on advance

I dare them to forget about party

I dare them to join together as one

Let’s take politics out of the way

Let’s correct what is morally wrong

I dare you to pray to your God

I dare you let others do the same

This world of ours grows smaller

If it disintegrates we can all share the blame

I dare you to talk out about “Terrorism”

I dare you to recognize this wrong

We will have no harmony in our world

Until “Terrorism” is gone

I dare you to stand by me

I dare you to do what is right

Michael Christopher Daly

LETTERAGH LODGE

I awoke in another time,
another world, refreshed with serenity
No mad rush to arise
the mind, eager to let things be

Whisperings like a balmy breeze
without force, made me lay there
Soothing thoughts about everything good
came with every breath of air

Surely, this was Heaven, yet I knew it could not be
A pinch on the arm and back to reality
So, I just lay on my back
and gazed out at the magic scene

Strange enough, no bird sounds
could be heard or seen
The trees gave way to soft winds
bending a little, as if to bow in respect

The fields outside seemed to have no end
until the horizon, shimmered in the morn
The sky gave little indication of the day ahead
It peaked the imagination to smile or scorn

From outside, I looked at this house of stone
The strength of the owners had made this home

On Letteragh Road, near Galway Bay
is the sight the eyes cannot dodge
At the rise of the hill, it stands quite still
the house called "Letteragh Lodge"

I awoke in another time, another world
so close, so near to Heaven

Michael Christopher Daly
Aug. 5th, 1999

"Now That I'm Back"

I guess I drifted away one day, when things were looking bad

Didn’t want to face the truth because it was so sad
Just didn’t like being poor,existing day to day
I knew I could do much better, So I upped and went away

My thoughts while crossing the ocean were all about you, my dear
As the Devil played tricks with my mind and loaded me down with fear
Your decision to stay behind was strong and yours to make
So we promised with broken hearts, our love when asleep or awake

I told you I’d come back one day, you said that you would wait
With a welcome mat outside your door and a shamrock on the gate
My mind was set on business everything else was put on hold
They called me a workaholic,while my pockets filled with gold

The years slipped by like minutes, I have wealth and love to share
Retired last week, took this flight last night to show how much I care
I stand o’er your grave, eyes in tears listening to a lonely song

As the agony of time wasted away
“Now That I’m Back,” “You Are Gone”

Michael Christopher Daly…..Oct.30^th, 2006

Drawn Back

I walk the streets where we played in bare feet
echo's of childhood, with the sun giving heat
I wonder if the pavement, can tell it is me
If so,doe's it remember my happy memory

I walk the streets, holding back a tear
My head bowed down, somewhat in fear
Is the house still there, where I was born?
Is it now a factory, filled with corn?

I walk the streets and around each bend
Recognizing houses of many an old friend
Twenty one years, where I started each day
'Mid a dear, dear family, until I went away

Suddenly that street, the house still there
Not a soul around but somethings in the air
It seems I hear voices, so familiar to me
Eyes seeing pictures, filled with happiness and glee

I didn't knock, or ring the bell on that door
As our family just, wasn't there anymore

Jan19th, 2007

"AH" , Mushrooms"

It was morning, the fields would be covered with dew

Six O’clock no less, I could only find one shoe

I was dazed, body in tune with my head

As I sat there, legs dangling over the bed


We agreed to meet at this Godly hour, it’s true

Here I was looking around for that fecken lost shoe

Cyril was knocking outside, that was a terrible blunder

Because at this bewitching hour, it sounded more like thunder


Looking down from my window I whispered ”SHUSH”

“Don’t knock again”and “What’s the big rush”

“Be down in a minute, I’m just getting out of the bed”

must not forget the pillowcase , it’s under my brothers head


I tiptoed back from the window to get that pillowcase

There it was nestled , under my brothers face

To wake him now would make matters worse

The shoe is still missing and I’m about to curse


Just then the Bolster came into view

On the floor near the dresser; surely that will do

Get rid of the feathers, turn it inside out

To fill it with mushrooms, that’s what its all about


Out in the hallway I opened the string

No feathers at all, were in this old thing

Old jackets , an overcoat with buttons too

And there in a shirt is my other old shoe


So down the stairs and through the front door

Setting our sights on the Shannon's shore

Up Lelia place, past “Farrell’s Sweet Shop”

Beyond O'Neill’s yard, with nary a stop


The Barrel Yard quiet, too early for work

My brothers had sold the feathers to Feathery Burke

I’m quite sure now, Mom and Dad didn’t know

Their sons found a way, to make some extra dough


Beyond the Nuns Field lay, Mick Madden’s thatched home

Further up a race track, where grey hounds did roam

At the Canal banks end, the Shannon River

Where many’s the salmon made the waters quiver


At last to the fields where the mushrooms grew

With the empty bolster that had hidden my shoe

It took three hours to fill it and we walked a long way

But we’d have mushrooms at breakfast for many a day


To end a great morning, we went for a swim

At the second bridge we just dove right in

The mushrooms we hid’ beneath straw in the field

Sure no one would know what the straw could yield


We dried off in the sun, it didn’t take long

Then saw the tossed straw, the mushrooms were gone

We did not cry, but we had broken hearts

And we wished that whoever ate them


Would turn into “Sheep Farts”


Michael Christopher Daly

Dec . 13, 2002


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Posted By mikora to Limrikster at 1/03/2008 10:46:00 AM
Reply

Forward

The Meeting

To Nora, my lifelong love..

If you and I had never met
the loss would all be mine
Imagine arriving at heavens gate
and the doorbell had no chime
The darkest days of winter
would always be the same
If we hadn't met, and we didn't talk
and I never knew your name
But the event occurred we were introduced
my eyes were locked on you
When our hands touched to say "Hello"
I gave my heart too
I was yours back then and I always knew
that the future was hard to tell
So after all the years, of laughter and tears
I'm still enraptured by your spell

It is "I"

There came a knock upon my door
At least that was the sound
Without thinking who it could be
I opened it, then looked around

There wasn’t a soul that I could see
As the moon lit up the sky
I felt a breeze that kissed my face
Then a “Whisper” “It is I”, “It is I “

I took a step outside the door
My blood now pumping fast
The whispers getting stronger
Are we together again? at last

All the sadness of your passing
Returned to my mind and eye
Then the breeze kissed my lips
Whispering, “It is I”, “It is I”

The breeze caressed my face again
Then it circled around my hand
Seeming to touch the fingers
That held our wedding bands

I understood the meaning
I no longer had a need to cry
As the love of my life whispers
“It is I”, “It is I”, “It is I”.

Empty Things

Empty Things

I wrote in an empty diary
Of the love I had for you
Each day since you’ve been gone
A page begins anew

I open the diary at bedtime
To review what I have written
Because when I first met you
One look and I was smitten

I thought that I was set for life
At the altar when you said “I DO”
I put your name on my bankbook
When we shared our love so true

But when the love was all from me
I began to realize
The bonds of marriage were broken
As I could see it in your eyes

Now that you are not coming back
I’m feeling kind of glad
It is you who took me for a fool
And that is mighty sad