A mug of té an’ soda bread,
freshly baked an’ butter spread.
A rake of eggs, a pinch of salt,
to face the cold, a ball of malt.
“Take care yerself me darlin’ man,
be broth therein yer billycan.
I’ll pray ye well, I’ll wait the day.”
An’ she did kiss me, “Fare yer way.”
Me hat, me boots, a heavy coat
where crow, the fox, the mountain goat.
Me cane, me pipe an’ loyal mutt,
o’er stock an’ stone an’ full me gut.
An early lamb, a slaughtered ewe,
them cussed curs, what ills they do.
The scattered flock a yon an’ nigh
an’ hectic we, the mutt and I.
To roundin’ up an’ breakin’ bales
in heavy snows an’ yowlin’ gales.
As cold as sure as fades the light
an’ pray we home afore the night.
What doin’s, done, we on our way,
all fed an’ penned the flock an’ stray.
The early lamb we’ll care at home,
we’ll keep her warm an’ nay alone.
Need hardy be, when all be said
or winter’s harms would see ye dead.
Pray, e’en to home be tough our lot,
in weathers fierce, in worries got.
Come into night be footin’ wise,
a find me way with weary eyes.
Nay stars about, as black as pitch,
a cruel a beast is winter’s bitch.
Hail yonder light, a welcome be,
’neath thatch an’ stove, a ghrá mo chroí.
“Come in, begad, me darlin’ man,
yer coat, yer hat, yer billycan.”
“The tub be full an’ soapin’ hot,
come scrub ye down, ye’ve done yer lot.
Pray, rid ye of yer sweat an’ grime,
God bless the toil, me darlin’ mine.”
“Betake yerself the table set,
pray, hungry ye, I surely bet.
Be taters, aye, an’ plenty too,
a steamin’ pot of beefin’ stew.”
“An’ how’s about a ball of malt
to warm ye from the cold assault.”
She fed the mutt an’ cared the lamb
an’ poured for me another dram.
She stoked the embers, stirred the pot.
“Be careful now the plate be hot.”
She rushed about in merriment,
the lamb, the mutt an’ me content.
-
Author:
Tony Grannell (
Offline) - Published: September 28th, 2026 12:18
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 12
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, sorenbarrett, Teddy.15, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments7
lovely written
Hello, Friendship,
Thank you very much.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Tony I always love a poem written in the dialect and jargon of a place. It says a lot about the tone without cumbersome scene setting. This poem is gritty and down to earth and takes one to the ground level where common people of character, colorful people and just characters themselves live. It is earthy and feels real more than fanciful and puts one at ease right away. Very nicely done my friend a fave
Hello, Soren,
I replied to your lovely response earlier today, I must have forgotten to press 'send'. I totally agree with you concerning dialect and jargon, it takes the reader there, mid the wear and tear of ordinary people as they make their ways through life. Your lovely response gladdens the heart.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Most welcome Tony it's a pleasure.
Superb to read and soak in.
Hello, arqios,
Delighted you enjoyed this one. Most kind of you drop by and very much appreciated.
Wishing you much happiness,
Tony.
A very fine Poem here . A fave
Hello, Kevin,
Thank you very much, delighted you enjoyed it.
All the best,
Tony.
Its my Pleasure. You are a fine Poet. Enjoyed.
Reminds me of my time in Dublin 30 years ago when I used to visit a lovely Irish family so very welcoming, I used to look forward to my Irish breakfast. 🌹 Wonderful language slang.
Hello, Teddy,
I still look forward to an Irish breakfast (no beans). My aunty Mag was a sheep farmer, mountain sheep. Didn't visit her often enough, was very fond of her. A big smiling welcome and a well laid table. Lovely of you to drop by and it is very much appreciated. Dublin has changed a lot in the last thirty years.
Fond regards,
Tony.
I know Dublin has gone through some deeply disturbing transformation as I still have friends there but most of them now live in county Offaly where they were originally from. Yes the Irish breakfast i'd drive all night and then swim to get anywhere on Ireland to have one. Black and white pudding oh my! 🌹
I'm so glad I read this. The use of regional lexicon and rhyme is perfectly executed, and there is something fundamentally comforting about the simplicity of your subject matter, despite the complexity of execution. Well done!
Hello, Anna,
It took me an age to put the simplicity into each and every stanza, that you have pointed that out makes it all worth while and for that, I do thank you ever so much.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Honestly, you can tell how hard you worked, it really is fantastic.
Tony, this made me smile. There’s such a lived-in warmth to it…hard work, bad weather, and somebody waiting at home who knows exactly what you need. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Hello, Tristan,
I'm glad I brought a smile to your face - makes my day. Your response finds me on a high.
Fond regards,
Tony.
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