The New Yank © Tony Fallon022618

The New Yank © Tony Fallon022618

I took pictures of the plane as it came in towards the ground

When it passed over my head I kept snapping as I turned around

The sound was ear splitting my ear drums almost burst

Then the plane touched down you were in America over the worst

Those five long years and all the paperwork were truly worth the wait

And my heart nearly burst with love as you finally walked out the gate

I hardly recognized you; you somehow seemed a wee bit slighter

And instead of rosy cheeks your face looked so much whiter

Five long years is a long time without being kissed or embraced

And I never wanted to let go of you again as I held you by the waist

You marveled at all the different people there all milling around

It must be a cultural shock coming from a little Irish country town

On the Van Wyck and Grand Central you were full of fascination

And I hardly got to say a word until we got to our Yonkers destination

Later you said you weren’t hungry and you barely touched your plate

And then who walked in later but your third cousins from upstate

The next few days were a whirlwind as I showed you all the sights

We went around Manhattan on a boat and went to Broadway most nights

Amid all this travelling day and night you rarely wanted to eat

And when you did it was always a plate of vegetables not a bit of meat

Your eating habits were bothering me and I wanted to have a chat

You said there wasn’t a thing to worry about you were already far too fat

I also noticed you were having far too many bathroom episodes

When I mentioned all this to my sister she said those were warning codes

I also mentioned to my doctor and he advised not to be in a rush to marry

And a word I barely recognized anorexia entered my vocabulary

We were lucky enough you faced your problem and addressed my concern

And I know somehow we’ll get thought this but we both have a lot to learn