Looking out my window © Tony Fallon 073018

Looking out my window © Tony Fallon 073018

Afternoons I look out my window at "my" little stream
Further on in the park I see a youthful baseball team
Driven on with dreams one day of being New York Yanks
Totally unaware of the lovely flowers on the banks
There are daffodils and crocus and wildly spreading iris
Iris bulbs would grow on the moon they have no known virus


Underneath my window I sow many bulbs and seeds
After a while there's thinning and pulling up the weeds
Over in the corner I have a small potatoes plot
I often don't get enough potatoes to fill up one pot


I have seen bees and butterflies but I have not seen bats
I have been stung by mosquitoes and those annoying gnats
Not too far from my window there are many small birds' nests
I have to keep an eye on cats they can be real pests


There is a duck comes back yearly and has a new brood
I think fresh bread crumbs are the young ones favorite food
I saw a goose there once in the midst of winter frost
I never saw her again; that day she must have been lost
Drinking the cool mountain water I see a herd of deer
At the slightest noise they hear they all quickly disappear


On the other bank are benches by the fishing hole
Boys who do not have girlfriends have a fishing pole
Of course the teenage girls always giggle and shout
Whenever one of the boys catches a fine big trout
Their innocence and laughter brings me so such delight
But I must close the window when I retire each night

My little plot is surrounded by mountain hills and trees
They say some of the finest wood up there has a bad disease
They say there are beavers up there who are tree wreckers
Across the stream from my window there are two woodpeckers
That constant pecking sound could drive a grown man insane

That's the only time at my window that I am profane

The weather changes rapidly from season to season
We forget summer's heat when in winter we are freezin'

Yet in those dark and dreary winter days I find solace
I look out my window and pretend I see gladiolus

But there also is some magic in a long tin icicle
Wouldn't you love to have one when riding on your bicycle?

In summer the stream's almost empty but then quickly refills
The water is often a dark brown from silt in the hills
Far away it rises exactly where I have no notion
It passes to the Hudson then the Atlantic Ocean


When first I came here the river lapped the other side
The storm changed its direction now it's deep but not so wide
Millions of gallons came down the mountain like an explosion
In high water my property suffers some erosion
They say unless another storms changes the river bed
My house will fall into the water long after I am dead

Hurling© TonyFallon073018

Hurling© TonyFallon073018

When it comes to hurling surely no one can complain
The likes of this weekend may never be seen again
Two draws at such a high level must be a record
A combined grand total of twelve dozen points were scored

From most counties of Ireland the faithful fans thronged
And after seventy minutes both games were prolonged
Limerick has shown us that no fifteen do they fear
If Cork wins an All Ireland it won't be till next year

The banners still are flying high down in County Clare
They did not buckle under Croke Park's national glare
And I'll tell you something the Galway team is no joke
They let Clare back into the game but they did not choke

The GAA must have a hard time counting all those Euro's
And thanking God above that those young lads are not pros
The changes and round robins has set us all a twitter
I hope that they never add a designated hitter

Old Things © Tony Fallon073018

Old Things © Tony Fallon073018

Pieces were devised

On the whim of kings

And now are prized

As priceless things

Craftsmen of the past

Toiled with great pride

To make things that last

Long after they have died

If everything was old

Nothing would be unique

And would not be sold

For the price of an antique

 Who would care about Chippendale?

Or a Queen Anne chair

Even if they were on sale

They’d be everywhere

Daisy the Cat © Tony Fallon072718

Daisy the Cat © Tony Fallon072718

I have a big fat cat real big and fat and lazy
A stray one day she arrived her name tag said Daisy
There was barely an introduction and in she moved
I thought by having a cat my life would be improved

I put an ad in the paper but she did not get claimed
The girlfriend said throw her out but I would be ashamed
She was already trained how to use kitty litter
It needs to be emptied often the odor is quite bitter

At first she was obedient and would come trottin
Now she ignores me totally and just treats me rotten
When she's awake she's always watching my canary
Gallons of milk disappear I'd need to own a dairy
Regular milk is good for most cats even for a calf
She will not drink regular milk she wants half and half

An amazing amount of food she daily devours
Not one day is she ever awake more than two hours
When she decides to move from the sofa she leaves hairs
I have a two story house she has never been upstairs
Yet when I'm asleep I am certain she goes prowling
One time I woke to hear the German shepherd growling
The dog stays in the basement in case we are raided
To stop the cat the basement door is now barricaded

Between the dog and I there's no doubt who is master
With the cat and me it's different a total disaster
You know the dog will wag his tail and give you the paw
I have to wear leather gloves she once gave me the claw

The vet told me Monday every cat has feelings and moods
And that I should be adding vitamins to her solid foods
He also said if she's left alone she can get depressed
I think the big fat one by Mrs Lucifer is possessed

If I ever have visitors she starts growling and hissing
Goes behind the sofa and in anger starts pissing
She is out of control this is no way to behave
Mrs Lucifer or me is headed for a early grave

Between my girl friend and me there is a big divide
She will not move back again if the cat is still inside
I can't afford to let her out she might start breeding
Then there would be more mouths I would have to be feeding

I can't comprehend why people think cats are adorable
Since Daisy moved in here my life has been deplorable

The last Romance© Tony Fallon072718

The last Romance© Tony Fallon072718

If  I've fallen in love with a red head I have no regret
I have been in love with a lusty grey and a wee brunette
I was out one time with a girl and her hair was dirty blonde
No matter how much I chatted her up she would not respond

On a blind date I took out a girl her hair was snowy white
She frightened the life out of me she was six feet six in height
I have been out with a woman whose hair was as black as coal
I did not understand a word she only spoke espanol

I have been advised to stay away from girls whose hair is red
They say the average man can not satisfy them in bed
Not only that the wear and tear could induce my sad demise
At least you'll know one man who will be so happy when he dies

Unhappy©Tony Fallon 072618

Unhappy©Tony Fallon 072618

It doesn’t take much to make me happy

Often just a smile

Recently you’ve been so snappy

Even hostile

I can feel the agitation

You simply answer NO

There’s no forthcoming information

There’s no conversation flow

This to me is improper

Makes me ill at ease

It’s a conversation blocker

Deaf to all my pleas

This is not what I expected

In the distant past

When you I selected

In the conflict of Belfast

This can not continue

We are becoming freaks

If love is not within you

We can not become antiques

The Daily News © Tony Fallon072518.

The Daily News © Tony Fallon072518.

In a store this morning I bought the Daily News
The front page had Trump's and Putin's opinions and views
Page two had sad stories of Chicago and a shooting
A burned out store in the Bronx where there was looting
A factory being accused of blatant polluting
And trains being late for those poor souls who are commuting
There was something bad about the mayor he flatly denies
You can't believe a word he says bad or good he always lies
The new bridge gets a name supposedly to help tourism
It's the Governor's father name that of course is nepotism
Enough, enough today I want to be put in a good mood
I don't want to read any more items that are mean or lewd
I don't want to hear of companies that are firing
I want to hear the kind of stories that are inspiring
Like the teenager who gets up before five o'clock
To walk his blind neighbor's dog six times around the block
About the widow who is struggling to feed her brood
And gathers empty cans and bottles to help buy the food
We hear far too much about overdoses cocaine and crack
And not about the kids out there every morning on the track
There are fathers who have to leave their children and wives
To fight in foreign wars in strange lands and risk their young lives
There are teenagers volunteering their summers without complaint
And for the poor people their houses they repair and paint
They are out there working pounds off in the hot sun perspiring
Not in some fancy store where Paris Hilton is herself admiring
In the cool of autumn they help by raking up the leaves
Then climb on a ladder and take the build up out of eaves
When the winter winds are blowing and it's five below
What better way to get warm than cleaning a neighbors snow
But those are not the stories that take up any daily space
The good deed are not recognized and that's a disgrace
Those young people should be recognized for their time donated
And helping older people not feel so alone and isolated
But that's not likely to happen while egotist blow their horns
And act like they are Gods or the one who wore the thorns.
I hope the young don't look at the world in complete delusion
And the wish they make it better is not an optical illusion

The Final Words© Tony Fallon 072318

 The Final Words© Tony Fallon 072318   

I'm certain before they die there is a song from all the birds
So it would only be fair from us too if there could be words
What most of people's last words are surely is a mystery
At such a stressful time who could be thinking of history

Some may regret their distasteful actions that caused others strife
Or telling where they have hidden money to the little wife
Some may be asking forgiveness for their many sinful ways
Some may still be begging God to give them just a few more days

No matter how long we live we need to fix up our affairs
And remind the wife and children to offer up some prayers
We all want to be in the good book with heavens personnel
Because eternity is a long time to have to spend in hell

Some will also want to discuss fancy mass cards and flowers
And on the final day if there will be sunshine or showers

Others will be giving instructions for that one last journey

And giving advice so the coffin won't fall off the gurney

  It's been so many years now since we said our loving goodbyes
I really hope there is a heaven up in those blue skies
On the day I depart I hope there is a partial eclipse
And up in heaven you will clearly hear your name on my lips

I Don’t Know © Tony Fallon 072118

I Don’t Know © Tony Fallon 072118

Some people seem to know everything and have so many views
I wonder why they don't have a column in the Daily News
Yet some of their points, comments and opinions are very weak
That is because they never listen they always have to speak
If you do not learn something worthwhile daily how can you grow?
You learn a lot of information by saying "I don't know"

When a topic is mentioned they quickly become engaged
When I hear the pointless things they say I become enraged
I've watched this type of person really beat up a friend
Then be backed up still flailing because they didn't comprehend
I think some advanced reading these scoundrels should undergo
Or better still admit there are subjects that they do not know

Those know it all's kill conversations and are frequently offensive
And when corrected on a point can lash out or become defensive 
They belittle and intimidate those folks with greater knowledge
Maybe even people who have studied many years in college
Some people think if they knew more their brain would overflow
Not realizing they would gain knowledge by saying “I don't know"

Analyze their dialogue you'll realize they have weird beliefs
Contrary opinions religious superstitions and beefs
I pity any children growing up in such an icy state
For the bully on the outside at home will certainly dictate
I wonder if such children shall this abusive treatment outgrow
And become adults mature enough to one day say “I don't know"

My worker© Tony Fallon072018

My worker© Tony Fallon072018

My assistant was complaining
About his lack of training 
As we did a little staining
Of the fresh wood remaining

He did not respect his master
He could not work any faster
He could neither paint nor plaster
He was a real disaster

On one hand he had a blister
In the other a transistor
He wanted to be called mister
And is married to my sister

I think I'll have to fire him
And never more rehire him
I do not desire him
For I can't inspire him.

Hackers © Tony Fallon071918

Hackers © Tony Fallon071918

Computer hackers take advantage
And your accounts mismanage
As they try to change order to disarray
At least that's what the safety experts say

Those intrusions you can't disregard
They can ruin your life and credit card
If your computer ever crashes
All your unsaved work turns into ashes

Then there are ugly things called spams
This can mess up all your programs
Send your printer printing without end
Including pictures of your girlfriend.

They also say that you can get a germ
Oops sorry I should have said a worm
That you can get from copying and pasting
I say don't do it but my time I'm wasting

Safety plans come with a pricey tag
But it's as important as an air bag
You are forever more protected
And your computer will not be infected

Queen of the Catskills© Tony Fallon071718

Queen of the Catskills© Tony Fallon071718

If I was the king of the Catskills and could have a harem
You would be working in the kitchen and not out on the farm
If I already had eight living wives you'd be number nine
But if you didn't want to marry you could be my concubine

You would not have to live like some wives do in the orient
You'd live in a house of brick and mortar and not in a tent
I would change the constitution so that you my fair Colleen
Instead of any of the eight others you would be the Queen

If you should be the one wife to finally give me a son
If I die you won't have to join a convent and be a nun
You would not have to wear a burka or even wear a veil
But any man that gawked at you too long would wind up in jail

You could wear gay colored floral clothes instead of that drab black
You could buy all styles of clothes you want but only off the rack
I took a dislike to women’s clothes when I lived in Nepal
I would never demand you put on a big black ugly shawl

I would not allow a mini skirt you would show too much skin
A midi would be ok you'd be only showing some shin
You would have so much freedom the envy of other women
But I don't think it would be wise to sun bathe or go swimmin'

Of course there a few other western customs that are taboo
Like tongue, nostril or ear piercing and not even one tattoo
If we ever should go out walking I don't think I would mind
If you walked beside me instead of walking two steps behind

Many women who are in harems are frequently harassed
But I am a modern man not living in the distant past

This is “tongue in cheek” and not meant to offend anybody.

Troubled © Tony Fallon 071618

Troubled © Tony Fallon 071618

Have you paid your dues and fees?

Or paid for all your vices

Have you climbed up from the gutter to your knees?

After you heard voices

Have you bent those knees in prayer?

And regretted your flaws

Have you cried out in despair?

Because you’ve broken many laws

Have you asked for more time?

Do you have the intention?

No more to commit crime

And leave this life of tension

To this change are you committed?

To set your house in order

Can you be this farsighted?

Can you admit to your disorder?

No more falls and bruises

No more exaggeration

No more lame excuses

No more illegal medication

Can you come back from the brink?

And have a new beginning

No more drugs or drink

See your mother happy, grinning.

Said and done© Tony Fallon071618

Said and done© Tony Fallon071618

The Mets played yesterday and lost by a run

It was a fair result when all is said and done

Roscommon played Tyrone in the blazing sun

Roscommon couldn’t stand the heat when all was said and done

When Trump saw the parachutist he began to run

There’s one reason why everyone should not have a gun

Trump would now be in jail when all is said and done

He insulted the Prime Minister, the Queen and her son

I wonder who else he will insult when all is said and done

I bet it won’t be the Russians after how the election was won

Putin is a bigger bully when all is said and done

I often tell a big long joke or a shorter pun

The jokes are funnier when all is said and done

Bags of coal or feathers above me both weighing a ton

I’d rather the feathers fall on me when all is said and done

I love corn muffins but I’d much rather have an Irish bun

They are lovely with a cup of tea when all is said and done

There is one person I still miss more than anyone

I hope she come back to me before all is said and done

Censorship© Tony Fallon071418

Censorship© Tony Fallon071418

A person once implied

My poetry wasn’t good it wasn’t complicated

I think that person lied

To read her poetry you’d need to be sedated

She doesn’t like simplicity

That supposedly shows lack of education

She doesn’t like duplicity

And there shouldn’t be a chorus in any creation

I’ve been told to stay from words

That has an obvious double meaning

I think that’s absurd

I’ve never used words that were demeaning

Ahead there could be sad days

Which we writers can never allow or permit

We could be forced to change our ways, our plays, and our essays

That could be real bull something

Irish Arts Week© Tony Fallon071318.

Irish Arts Week© Tony Fallon071318.

Up and down 145 in East Durham of high renown
The best Irish talent in the world was gathered in this town
It was of course the six days of the Annual Irish Arts Week
A gathering in America which is truly unique
On the pipes or banjo you can learn a brand new technique
Or a few focals of Gaelic language you can learn to speak
Some people came up for four days of quiet vacation
Any many are here for some musical education
The parents have instilled some inquiring motivation
And teachers pass on our traditions to the next generation
I was in McGraths last night, the pipes many people were playing
There was a big crowd there all night no one was straying
Mattie Connolly was in his glory his fingers were hopping
Jigs Reels one after the other of him there was no stopping
He was not the only one there whose fingers seemed to glide
Deirdre Corrigan's were so fast I thought they would collide
For months we will talk about legends like Bergin,Madden and Fee
And instructors like Margie and Donny and Annemarie
There will be people who danced so much they will have blisters
We'll talk about the Coen brothers and the Casey sisters
If we had a piper named John or Michael Regan
I could have teamed him up with the singer Patrick Egan
There is such great talent here yet so many were omitted
They didn't rhyme with anyone when they were submitted
The names of most the teachers this year were not very phonetic
So I had a hard time with rhyming names and being poetic
But where else is a better place to make new or meet an old friend
Than the Irish arts week in East Durham I wish it would never end

Forgive? Forget?©Tony Fallon 071218

 Forgive? Forget?©Tony Fallon 071218

It's been nearly four weeks already and I'm still annoyed
If I didn't admit to this anger I would be a fraud
A thief or thieves entered silently one Saturday night
And stole all my money to which they had no legal right
They say the Christian way is to forgive and then forget
Now I don't have sufficient money to pay off my debt
I owe some money to Central Hudson and Verizon 
I have a co-pay no relief is on the horizon
I had been saving the money for oil for winter heat
Now I have to choose between being warm and eating meat

When all is said and done © Tony Fallon 071018

When all is said and done 

© Tony Fallon 071018

Sometimes when all is said and done

There is nothing said at all

People put their tuppence in just for fun

Which can lead to their downfall

To us they may seem unwise

They show no shame or fear

They don’t seem to realize

Their brain is not in gear

4 Little Poems © Tony Fallon070518

4 Little Poems © Tony Fallon070518

I used to love someone her name I have forgotten
I bet if she knew that she would feel real rotten
She had a high opinion likewise high conception
I’d say she was engaged in a little self deception.

Last night in a dream I met a lady fair
I asked if she’d marry me she said she didn’t care
She said she was a widow facing destitution
If I’d also take her kids it would be a great solution

I heard firecrackers all through the day long before dark
Then the professionals exploded many in the town park
I live adjacent to the park and feel persecuted
For two days afterwards the air will be polluted

I yam what I am said the sweet potato
Not as tasty raw as I am baked in dough
But when I am baked in the month of July
I will be smaller than my original pi

Friend request © Tony Fallon 070918

Friend request © Tony Fallon 070918

Today I got a “friend” request

From a poor girl who says she likes me best

The lovely wee girl was hardly dressed

And on me she tried to impressed

That on me she was obsessed

She said on me she’d like to call

In the summer or the fall

She says she loves Irishmen who are tall

She prefers if they don’t drink alcohol

And she loved hurling and football

She says she likes men who are funny

And have a disposition that is sunny

Will propose to her on one knee

And will often call her honey

I’m really flatter by her offer but I want a woman with loads of money.

More Memories © Tony Fallon070318

More Memories © Tony Fallon070318

My old body is held together with an odd spare part
The hair is silver on my head but I am young at heart
When I notice your picture again my heart starts throbbing
I love you as much as ever and I wind up sobbing

They say when love is over memories go in the bin
I could not tear your picture that would be a mortal sin
I shall never forget your beauty your charm your splendor
The days until you return I mark off my calendar

Saturday night © Tony Fallon 070118

Saturday night © Tony Fallon 070118

Last night I met old friends and we talked about old times

They told me some stories and I read them some rhymes

They loved the one about the Knockcroghery fish and fries

And the neighbor who baked the sweetest rhubarb pies

We talked about Lough Funshinagh and the one in Ballyglass

And going to Rahara and Ballymurrray for our school class

We talked of all the neighbors and the fine fields of spuds

We talked about the Shannon and the recent winter floods

We talked of parents left behind sadly broken hearted

How the years have flown and they are now departed

We marveled how we all lived so long without diseases

Living in this Snow Belt with snow and winter freezes

Over in Ireland they were talking about Russia and Spain

And if Argentina or Mexico could win the World cup again

And  talking of Roscommon  with no Sam for many years

Three thousands miles away we were crying in our beers