"TWO LOVES" I have two loves within this life of both, it's hard to choose One is young and beautiful and her I'd hate to loose The other is meek, gentle and kind her love for me is deep No matter what might happen her love I will surely keep As day and night shall come and pass I will love them in this life For as you see, one is my daughter the other is my wife Michael Christopher Daly 1957 1957

"Silence"

How very, very wise of you
to never say a word
You seem to be above everything
Somewhat, like a soaring bird

You listen quite attentively
and now and again nod your head
You appear to be thinking over
Whatever has been said

Then you rise and walk away
Leaving us standing there
In awe of the way you take things in
Yet. leaving us so bare

Yes, intelligence is magical
and silence soft and meek
Or does it mean You're Stupid
and have no wish to speak

Michael Christopher Daly
10/23/66

"Simple Things"

Out the road a few miles, we'd run as a group You couldn't join in, if you didn't own a hoop Not anyone would do it required get up and go It had to have spokes and not buckled you know Then a stick to guide it and smack its round rim To make it go faster and help us stay slim Our journeys were great and distances grew From one mile to ten and "OH" how time flew As older you became, a whole bike was yours Much easier by far to continue our tours We saved shoe leather and softness in the hands Wondering if this happened, in any other lands T'was a time in our youth, before acne and pimples What a wonderful time when all things were simple

"I'll Be Here"

If it's far away you are

If you're enjoying and auld jar

Remember me

If talking to old friends

Or suffering from the bends

Remember me

Don't let sadness make you frown

Don't let madness take you down

Remember me

Don't let winter storms depress

Don't get carried away with stress

Remember me

I will be there for you, friend

I promise you

I will do whatever it takes

To comfort you

I will take that extra step

to make it right for you

I will pray to the heavenly God

It that's OK with you

Now, You have a friend

You can call me without fear

I am not that far away

In fact, I am right here

Michael Christopher Daly

Dec. 18th,2004

We Need Friends

WE NEED FRIENDS Sometimes we find it hard, when friends have gone away You have no one to speak with, especially, on a Winter Day. It is then the mind takes over, as it erupts inside our dome. It arouses all the fear we have, when we sit there all alone. Well, we have the television and so many books to read It makes it hard to focus, when you find it hard to breathe ”Who can you call if things get out of hand” Who can you rely on, when you need a helping hand? Too many times in life, we move to different places For a while we write each other, remembering the faces Then we seem to drift away, with so many things to do And contact becomes rare r, as you forget those you knew Take out your address book, that’s been filed away for ages Take your time go through it, by reading all the pages Now pick up the telephone and begin to make a call To all old friends you find there, who are waiting on your call Sometimes we find it hard, when friends have gone away And you have no one to speak with, especially on a Winter Day So use the tools God gave you, pick up the phone and call And friendships will be rekindled and shared by one and all Michael Christopher Daly Oct. 28, 2007

Beware Of The Gamble

So I put my hand in my pocket to draw out my last Big Bill
Knowing that this was it, the slots had the rest in their till
I decided to play it safe, hold a twenty for the trip back home
Knowing my luck had to change and I wouldn’t be all alone

I placed the bill on the counter while looking out at the waters
The attendant took my bill, in its place he left four quarters
I searched every pocket I had, no cash, not even a single
Except for the lousy four quarters, in my hand they began to jingle

To the ATM machine, with credit cards, feeling forlorn
Only to be rejected, as they answered, “You Are Overdrawn”
I looked out the window again, the ocean was rushing to shore
Begging me to come with her, the only way to settle the score

They might as well take my quarters, so into a Slot machine
Stepping back I heard a siren, I thought I was lost in a dream
My machine was blinking with lights Four Sevens had popped up, you see
I had won five hundred thousand Quarters
“Thank God, the Ocean left,” without me


Michael Christopher Daly
October 6th, 2007

Thank You Lord For Galway Bay

“THANK YOU LORD,” “For Galway Bay” I had walked from the house in the early mornings light At this age, no need to run, the walk just right No longer the need to rush, enjoy the hallowed ground And listen with attentiveness to every simple sound The chattering of the birds, as if they owned the land Swept through the tree’s so easily, just the way they planned Over the rise of the hill, fresh air with salt gave way To the splendor of the senses and the Enchanting Galway Bay The ocean had pulled back, leaving the sand for fun I enjoyed every second, with strong lotion for the sun Alone, yet not all alone, as my footprints left their mark The gulls along with stray dogs Said “Hello” with chirps and barks A look toward the ocean, one ship was on its way Fighting the magnetic pull, the beauty of Galway Bay There is so much to say, enraptured in so much bliss So I thank the Lord for giving me, a morning such as this. Michael Christopher Daly

The Clare Hills

I somehow seemed to see it clear
and the green shades you hear about
It came so slowly at the crest of the hill
as my hand crossed over my mouth
Out of the car, looking all around
Sure no one could find this spot
S I drank with gulps the air so pure
I was lost, but then again I was not

I had made no plans this early morn
Just a drive through country lanes
Drying up with the help of the sun
created by overnight rains
I look back again at the fields of green
How nature had made it so grand
Remembering the war going on for years
and the togetherness, that is now at hand

There came a feeling of freeness
breaking away from times long past
Understanding that life is worth living
and peace has a great chance at last
There is no longer a place for terrorism
As each side blamed the other
Shake the hand in commitment of peace
then let's all get along together

My mind blasts back to the green fields
and the grass tat is covered with dew
On this morning I drove the country lanes
because I had nothing better to do
I strained my eyes to capture the scenes
that had no time for frills
As I later found out what it was all about
I was on top of THE CLARE HILLS

Michael Christopher Daly
May 15th, 2005

Darkness of Night

I turned down a lift home, although I was tired
I had worked all day,'till my engine retired
The walk would shake out, those aches and pains
Allow me to sleep through the roaring of trains

It was getting quite dark, much later than nine
I was quite surprised as I was making good time
Not a soul or a human was out on the street
So I listened more closely to the sound of my feet

Other sounds came through, still nothing in sight
Dark shadows appearing that caused me some fright
A sudden scream and my body just froze
I tingled all over from my head to my toes

What can I do, my thinking's not sound
I should have taken that lift, not walked the ground
Clear the head,think, you know what to do
What if they're just round the corner, waiting for you?

My heart was pounding and my breath getting deep
Then a gust of wind blew the leaves down the street
Di I really hear a scream? was it just in my mind?
All alone by myself, was I going blind?

Two corners to turn, then one block to go
My senses on the alert as they wanted to know
Then it all came to mind, it wasn't day light
I was hearing and feeling, the Darkness Of Night

“ENVIRONMENT”

Wouldn’t it be great if we had zero pollution
No death penalty and no execution
Imagine the forests like a God’s great plan
With animals galore, untouched by man

The blue of the sky, no smoke stack grey
With waters so pure and fishes at play
The shores and the beaches with whitest of sands
And away from the Oceans, primitive lands

The chirping of birds with songs to the wind
Could be heard near and far, round every bend
Well, that’s how it was, day one, long ago
Before man and his genius, set the world aglow

Look how far we have come, since primitive days
Life today is so easy, in so many ways
We’re civilized now and communicate well
So we can tell each other how to go to hell

We’ve been to the moon and depth of the sea
Cloned some sheep, next humans, you’ll see
All for what? To extend mans life?
So he can live longer and suffer more strife

So now man is working to find a solution
To save the world from all this pollution
We need more energy to run our inventions
Created by us with the greatest intentions

We have the know how, Build Nuclear Stations
But then, Politicians listen to Greenpeace Vibrations
Where does this leave us, press onward? Or back?
I think we must stay on this forward track

Let’s work together, never say never
Realizing mans life, was not Meant Forever

Michael Christopher Daly

April 2001

“DON’T GIVE UP”

I could hear the wind as it blew all day

Then the rains pelted down, to have their say

They lashed at the windows, on into the night

With an angry attack, to display their might

I would be quite content, if I could go to sleep

But with this kind of weather, the waters run deep

Alert I must stay and prepare for the worst

Stocked with canned food, and I’ll not thirst

But fear is all around me, isolated as I am

My body gives me trouble, can’t remember worth a damn

What I don’t need now, is my heart beating fast

With my breath getting short and I begin to gasp

I need another pill, where can they be

“If you’re listening God”, “Come on, rescue me”

Then a thunderous blast, exploded overhead

As the roof filled with water, caved in on my head

The phones gone dead, the lights are out

I bang pots together, and begin to shout

But who can hear me, I’m so far away

Maybe Gods gone to sleep, after a heavy day

I’m quite sure now, my time is near over

Since the day before yesterday, I haven’t seen Rover

Oh, what I’d give now to have him by my side

It would be nice enough if we could go side by side

Suddenly, I’m falling, and I’m flat on the floor

No blasts of thunder, and the lightning’s no more

I look to the ceiling and it’s all in place

I get to the bathroom, to look at my face

T’is a young one I see, staring back with a beam

And I’m in shock and happy, as it was only dream

Michael Christopher Daly

May of 2001

A Soldiers Thoughts

As I lie in this trench so far, far ,away
One hand on my bible, my feet in wet clay
Be with me tonight, your comfort I’ll borrow
Cause I’m not sure of my future or even tomorrow

Yet, I know in my heart that I’m needed here
My help, my involvement, calms their fear
For I know they’re my brothers, though their language is strange
But without our help nothing will change

Sometimes I wonder, if there is a supreme being
' Cause all of this hate, he just isn’t seeing
Then again I remember, he gave us free will
And a mind to go with it, not to lay still

What we do with these is our great problem
Yet, we have the tools that can help us solve them
Prayers from us all will be heard up above
Then the hate we created, might turn to love

Michael Christopher Daly 2005

'SPECIAL LOVE TO MY WIFE NORA. "The verse that’s on this special card was written, not by me I thought if I just added one how better it would be So read their verse, I wish you that but also from the start I've loved you every minute dear from the bottom of my heart. Happy Birthday

"ASSASSINATION"

On a Dallas street ,on a November day
As the multitudes gathered, in a happy way
To honor in unison, Our Nations Chief
How could anyone know of the coming grief

"It's not true God", the people wept
Has this nation sunk, to such a dept
As the cavalcade slowly along
'Mid the waves and cheers of a joyous throng

Our President, smiling and nodding his head
Suddenly fell, to the car floor, dead
Shot by persons that only God can forgive
As this Nation cannot, as long as it lives

A man of peace has been snatched away
So get on your knee's and to God, please pray
That our Presidents deeds be carried on
From the top on down, through father and son

Oh God in heaven, save a place on your right
And let his halo shine brighter than bright
He is no longer here, yet our prayers will not cease
OH "God above grant him everlasting peace"

Michael Christopher Daly
Nov:1963

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"

Thank You Soldier

You, are in Battle Dress and far away from home
You, are in constant danger while I can write this poem
You, the enlisted soldier, made up your mind to serve
You, are my sister and brother , daughter and son with nerve

You, have no time for yourself and little things mean so much
You, have dreams of homeland and loved ones you yearn to touch
You, look forward to returning and make up the time you have lost
You, have the memory of friends, whose lives were part of the cost

We, are still free in America and wish everyone else to be too
We, lift our voices in unison, as we kneel and pray for you
We, sit at home by the fireside, looking forward to Christmas Day
We send our love and best wishes, that you will come back to stay

We cannot fight by your side, but we want you to understand
We will Never forget you, Soldier, and I speak for all in this land

"GOD BLESS"

Michael Christopher Daly
Nov: 2005

"TOO LATE"

We withdrew our troops from Korea
Viet Nam and all of the Middle East too
The political doves got their way
Environmentalists, saw sky's of blue

We had changed the draft laws to a voluntary basis
and instructed our people to love all races
We dispersed with weapons, those dangerous things
They were dumped at sea in the early spring

We turned to ourselves and forgot the outside
Sent ambassadors home, where they should abide
It was great for a year,total freedom reigned
and Americas name not once was stained

There were no hawks, no murderous men
No need for moratoriums just one happy den
Then that little country, lost it's name
To that other country of notorious fame

They cried for help , to this great nation
But our policy, No Involvement in a Foreign Situation
Then another little country and another and another
Fell within the grasp of their great big brother

Now, they're coming for us and theres little we can do
We have no weapons and the Army's gone too
We've asked for volunteers, but they're all afraid
Even if they weren't, they wouldn't make the grade

We've thought only of ourselves, forgotten our allies
Crawled into a shell, on our great fat bellies
It's Too Late now and there's no compromise
If it's freedom we want, We Must Pay The Price

Michael Christopher Daly
Nov. 1970

"The Hot Corner"

“Oh, those winter nights in Limerick City

with summer passed, Oh what a pity

Yes the winds whistled as the gales moved in
too cold to move slowly, or think of sin”

Turn up the collar with cap over the head
And squint the eyes to see what's ahead
With no money to spend, still places to go
where the boys would gather be it rain or snow

I recall one now, and my feelings grow warmer
As I remember the place, called "The Hot Corner"
Some people say, there was no such place
"Get away with you now. and quicken your pace

But there was such a spot and I'll tell you some more
Because these are the forgotten, that make up the lore
Out the Dublin Road on the right hand side
stood Good Shepherd Convent, way back inside

There the nuns had their home, rosaries and pearls
they also had room for some troubled girls
The back of the Convent touched Pennywell road
where the nuns took in laundry to maintain their abode

At the end of that road, "The Long Can" ran right
There at that corner we had many a good night
No politics, no religion, that was the trend
Everything else was discussed without end

We stood at that corner, where the manhole held tight
as the heat and the steam found its way out at night
One man made his bed there, laid out quite level
"I wonder where you are now,? "Old Dan, the Devil"

Sometimes I wonder how better off we'd be
to remember the little things that filled us with glee
As winter moves in, the body grows warmer
With thoughts of old Limerick
and the Long Cans "Hot Corner"

Michael Christopher Daly

The Shadow 1

I saw a shadow on my bedroom wall

No doubt it belonged to you

That silhouette brought memories back

To a time when our love was new

Then I closed my eyes for a second

To wipe away a tear

As the past came back so lovingly

I wanted to hold it so near

The sharpness of this shadow

With the details and its size

Made me want to hold you tightly

And gaze into those blue eyes

I raised my hand and pointed

Wanting to touch your beautiful face

Remembering all the love we shared

With every moment and every embrace

My hand stopped short of the silhouette

As I felt a falling tear

Then the shadow on my bedroom wall

Just began to disappear.

Michael Christopher Daly

August 23, 2007