MacAlpinesMan©2022TonyFallon0330

MacAlpinesMan©2022TonyFallon0330

The lovely mountains of Mourne are now so far away

I used to live beside them in my youth but I could not stay

I had worked a year in Belfast but the pounds were too few

I had also shaped up in England with McAlpine's crew

The local bars would cash your check on condition you spent

After a few nights drinking there was little left for rent

Now I had no mother with me to keep me going straight

And fast food in McDonalds was not a healthy plate

I found out years later Guinness has laxative powers

Instead of watching TV I'd be on the toilet for hours

Home again in Belfast at Christmas my mother was nerved

She said I looked like I had lost two stone and looked half starved

She said England had too many vices and I shouldn't stay

That I should go to uncle Mike over in the USA

Mike owned an Irish bar but he had friends in construction

And having worked for MacAlpine's was an introduction

I was living in Riverdale and working in Fordham Heights

On the weekends I would take the subway to see the sights

I was going to Gaelic Park I still had my soccer boots

And I found out some Gaelic teams were looking for recruits

They brought me to Van Courtland and taught me the solo run

I scored a point and goal for Mayo in a game and we won

I put a quarter in my boot that's an old Irish pishogue

And most of the Mayo guys didn't understand my Ulster brogue

My mother always told me that Belfast girls were the best

That night I met a girl from Kiltoom which is in the west

I was mesmerized as they were dancing wild ceili sets

One of the players introduced her and I have no regrets

Some say that silver brings real good luck at certain events

I can guarantee I'll never spent that twenty-five cents

We are living now in Rockland two daughters and Marie

On the shore of the Hudson not far from the Tappan Zee

ukrain

 The Ukraine people are not like the lemming

They are not to death themselves daily condemning

Nor are they following the foreign Pied Piper

They are being purged by Putin the viper

For it is the crushing of freedom he craves

And first prize for him is civilians in early graves

TheOldHouse©2022TonyFallon0325

 TheOldHouse©2022TonyFallon0325

I checked all the windows and locked the door

And walked away slowly for evermore

There were some sad old memories every where

And on my lips and heart a thankful prayer

No longer would I be an occupier

Once I handed the keys to the new buyer

It was a little house before expansion

For over fifty five years it was our mansion

I always considered it to be partly mine

Even three thousands of miles over the brine

With my parents alive there was always a bed

Alas as I was leaving they were both dead

We buried mother in the family plot

When my father had died it had been bought

I remember when we lived in simplicity

I remember when we got electricity

Before that it was the oil lamp or a candle

And you got butter by turning the churn's handle

Mam would never give up the wood kitchen stove

But she was proud of the freezer in the alcove

Our running water came from the local spring well

And if you didn't hurry up my mother would yell

No more late nights will I run up the stairs

Or help my father with the household repairs

No more bring in big bags of turf for the fire

Or get scrapes on my arms from the thorny briar

No more go evening walking on the narrow road

Or linger on the bridge where the river flowed

No more sitting there listening all alone

To seventy-eight records on the gramophone

Remember when parents would so loudly yell

And declare you were surely going to hell

Parents in those times faced such terrible odds

And very few of us were spared the sally rods

There were no thermostats to be controlled

In mid January it was very cold

So cold in the morning that you would dread

Having to leave your small warm cozy bed

Downstairs we would first in prayer have to kneel

Before the bacon eggs sausages and oatmeal

Think again of cold hail or warm summer rain

Or the cuckoo's or a corncrakes sweet refrain

There were many illnesses that were fatal

To adults or those still not out the cradle

In the churchyard were buried uncles and aunts

Not every young boy lived to wear a long pants

In the eight school years you learned the word fear

For the punishment was often severe

Often nowadays when I backwards gaze

I realize now those were tough old days

DrivingCrazy©2022TonyFallon0322

 DrivingCrazy©2022TonyFallon0322

She was guilty of the crime but she would not admit it

She hired a bent lawyer and hoped to be acquitted

The lawyer went about discrediting the young cop

Trying to convince all that this lady did in fact stop

The prosecutor argued if she had indeed stopped

How come the other car in two halves had almost been chopped

The other poor driver had been thrown out from his seat

And left badly battered and bleeding there on the street

All of his air bags had popped and instantly inflated

And he was taken in the ambulance highly sedated

The one thing missing was clear audio or video tapes

All the Pictures were grainy and there were no distinct shapes

Both the lawyer and the lady were very conniving

It was hard to get her to admit it was her driving

From the lawyers comments you'd think the driver was a ghost

Not this innocent lady who was otherwise engrossed

One witness testified she was sending out a text

When the lawyer heard this testimony he seemed quite vexed

Since the car was stolen the judge asked if she was tested

He also asked the young cop if she had been arrested

Then the judge nearly lost his temper and became irate

When he heard on the analyzer she blew two point eight

She had threatened the cop saying she would have him fired

That she had once been in the force but was now retired

That was yesterday in court and tonight she is in Jail

The judge said he would let her out on half a million bail

I think that woman has no brains there and then she swooned

So if you want to hear what happens tomorrow... stay tuned

Titleix©2022TonyFallom0320

 Titleix©2022TonyFallom0320 

I've always had the highest of regard for you women

But your daughters are being cheated when they go swimmin'

You fought your gallant fight for more than a hundred years

And it winds up you are now losing some old frontiers

The regulations under title ix is just a joke

If the athlete in the next lane was born as a bloke

A man can get a few injections and a brand new bra

Say that he's a woman and be protected by the law

We don't want foreign stuff in Chinese or Russian girls veins

But a man can get a new needle every time he trains

He can go into women's boxing and punch your nose raw

Blacken both your eyes knock out teeth and dislocate your jaw

He gets the gold medal you get the short end of the straw

And those who never wanted you to succeed go haw haw.

Because you are weaker you are told to bite the pellet

For there can be no stopping of the newest zealot

The new females need a jockstrap and a place to shave

In this new United States of the free and the knave

I think it's time you women stood up and started to scream

Or very soon you'll have four men on every woman's team

He is bigger stronger and two hundred pounds is his weight

Your daughter is petite at five foot three and he's six eight

So it doesn't matter if the stoke is butterfly or breast

As soon as they enter the water she is second best

There will be new regulations at all athletics meets

Urinals in the female toilets and "lift up the seats"

Maybe create a new section in arenas and gyms

And have separate competitions for those who are shims

GodsPrayers©2022TonyFallon0317

 GodsPrayers©2022TonyFallon0317

I know God is busy He has so many things to be managed

People are sick and tired when so many liaisons are damaged

People have a favorite team and they pray that they will succeed

Others pray that Tiger Woods putts to be frequently in the lead

There is so much praying for teams leading up to the super bowl

And when they are playing ice hockey they pray for the winning goal

Some people pray the Yankee team pull it out in the ninth inning

Or that their pick of horses in the Derby will wind up winning

Some smart girls pray for a rich handsome man to be her lawful spouse

Then say the rosary so they will find an inexpensive house

Students suddenly find religion a few nights before exams

And on Sundays farmers pray for sunshine and rain for healthy yams

After smoking for fifty years some people pray for better health

And the poor people beg the heavens for prosperity and wealth

Millions pray they will win the lottery every Saturday night

And people pray for both fighters in the heavyweight title fight

Farmers pray for rain and beach goers pray vacation days are hot

And most motorists in Manhattan pray for a free parking spot

Most drivers pray like crazy when they see red police lights blinking

Sometimes prayers will not help especially if you were drinking

With all those opposing prayers He can hardly grant ten percent

Meanwhile over in Ukraine is he working on Russian repent?

Where self determination is day by day being slowly crushed

And a country of the most modern buildings is turned into dust

TheBelfastGirl©2022TonyFallon318

 TheBelfastGirl©2022TonyFallon318

I met a pretty girl from Belfast and I was thrilled

Not only was she pretty she had a perfect build

I held the door open in a fancy Barre restaurant

I was going skiing in the mountains of Vermont

I casually mentioned to her that I was half starved

And would she join us where a turkey was being carved

When she agreed I was totally shocked and excited

So I took her over to where the candles were lighted

Within minutes of sitting she was quickly settling

Like an expert cyclist she was quickly pedaling

Everybody was saying hello she was quickly known

And in any conversation this girl could hold her own

When her lips and face smiled at me so did her sky blue eyes

I thought could she could easily become my lifetime prize

She seemed to like me and gave me her rapt attention

And extending the friendship seemed to be her intention

This was an exciting evening and totally unplanned

She spoke real good English which I could understand

When I said her accent did not come from County Down

She looked at me so puzzled with an inquiring frown

I asked her if she came over recently on the plane

She said I am not from Ulster I'm from Belfast in Maine

TheOldYears©2022TonyFallon0315

 TheOldYears©2022TonyFallon0315

The years have gone bye quickly and I am all alone

The years I don't mind, being alone I'm not content

I'm wary of crowds socializing I oft postpone

When one minute turns into hours I often lament

If you only have a ten forget the shopping cart

My dollars are worth nothing because of inflation

I do not come out with many bags from the food mart

The biggest shock of all is in the petrol station

Years ago it was one for all a country complete

People could arbitrate without a college degree

The flags flew proudly in each town and on every street

Whether they were liberal or in the GOP

When ninety rolls around I would like to be alive

Not to be almost always broke and always needy

With so little riches left it is hard to survive

My meager pension in the pockets of the greedy

TheSadSpring©️2022TonyFallon0312

 TheSadSpring©️2022TonyFallon0312

There is a lightness in my step in the air is spring
The circle is almost complete as round as a ring
The long cold days of winter have surely overstayed
We should have the new year at St. Patrick's Day parade
The cold and snow is behind and summer is coming
Birds are singing in trees and I hear some bees humming
Days are getting longer the clock has been updated
And flowers on fruit tress have newly been created
The birds are busy gathering twigs and other scraps
To create a sturdy nest that never will collapse
The nests will have many young ones after the eggs hatch
In olden days some clutches were raised in houses thatch
The grass on the hills and mountains is turning fresh green
It hasn't been this emerald since before Halloween
To destroy this yearly beauty surely is insane
Yet that's what's happening daily over in Ukraine
When there should be joy at the sight of a flower bud
Instead of greeting spring fields are stained in native blood

©️All rights reserved. Reproduction or duplication without 

permission of the author is prohibited

OldDreams© 2022TonyFallon0311

 OldDreams© 2022TonyFallon0311

I felt helpless and alone I felt like I was tied

I could not get out of bed even though I tried

My mind said I was awake but I was still sleeping

I tried to communicate but I was not speaking

In my dreams I'm talking but no one else responds

Sometimes they are brunettes sometimes blondes

Most of my dreams are happy rarely violent

But no one talks to me they are always silent

The dream I had now happened forty years ago

In the cold of winter it was at least five below

I remember you so fondly you were so sweet and kind

I wonder why again you have come back in my mind

We exchanged pleasantry's often like mates do on ships

But in my dreams I want to hug you, and kiss your lips

I'm sure in years since you have made many hearts beat

And I hope you've met someone who made you life complete

StillSearching© 2022TonyFallon0309

 StillSearching© 2022TonyFallon0309

I may be old and over the hill

But I still have some loving skill

There may be some snow on the top

I'm on the go I will not stop

In the belly there still is fire

And so far I did not retire

Many songs have still to be sung

About pretty girls who are young

My thoughts return to love each spring

I do not wear any flashy bling

For lasting true love I am yearning

With a cute girl who is discerning

Each Friday I try out my allure

To find a beauty who is mature

Like always I want to be among

A bunch of women who are young

I don't want girls uptight or snooty

And good hearted ones over beauty

I want an answer to my prayer

Not one who at  other men stare

I may not pick ones who are blondest

A brunette is often my fondest

I don't like girls with a catty tongue

That is shocking when girls are young

Want a catch but try to be modest

A blue sash if she is the hottest

I want to be envied I confess

My girl will wear a cut away dress

This year I like a senorita

She's Cuban her name is Rosita

I feel like by a bee I've been stung

When I fall for a girl who is young

Cheated(C)2022TonyFallon1/25

 Cheated(C)2022TonyFallon1/25

I once had a real true love but now I have naught

I only cheated on her one time but I got caught

I though I would be forgiven but she's not that kind

So onto the garbage heap I have now been assigned

This one discretion began here in the Shamrock Bar

While she was on vacation over in Mullingar

I had just won the quiz show and I had a new fan

She said I love smart Irish men my name is Suzeanne

You should have seen this lovely glamourous blue eyed blond

'And after a few more drinks she started to respond

She asked if I could compose her an old fashioned ode

About the big city where the river Liffey flowed

When we talked of Dublin she continued to chatter

When she talked about me she continued to flatter

She loved my old poetry and she piled on the praise

And on this old white bearded face she fondly did gaze

With this sweet lassie I was soon becoming beguiled

It was charming when she laughed and magic when she smiled

An avid listener she hung on to every word

As the booze kept flowing my mind was becoming blurred

Next morning hung over I woke up over in Leeds

I don't even remember doing any bad deeds

Whatever happened I don't remember the details

When my wife came home she was told some wild raucous tales

On hearing my story my friend Angela advised

If you are a rolling stone you should soon be chastised

Moral of the story you have to be on your guard

Married men have to be careful in their own back yard

OldIrishSundays©2022TonyFallon0210

 OldIrishSundays©2022TonyFallon0210

Most little things were big when I was small

Then you'd appreciate a red rubber ball

Footballs and new hurley sticks few could afford

They would have to be shared and safely stored

Many a broken hurley was fixed with tin

To throw broken ones away would be a sin

You got some toys once a year at christmas

And Sundays and holidays were reserved for mass

We'd read comics to see if Dick was in danger

Then ride Roy Rogers Trigger with the Lone Ranger

Not one of the stores in town were ever open

An unwritten law rarely ever broken

It was only considered a day of leisure

Reserved for church sport rest and other pleasure

Like listen to the big game on the radio

With Michael O'Hehir with his blow by blow

With no game we might play ball in the alley

Or hunt for rabbits with salt in the valley

Often in the lake we would fish hours for pike

Bringing them in a bag on our mother's bike

On rainy evenings we played darts or rings

Snakes and ladders or draughts with men and kings

On the melodian mom would play tunes

And that's a way to while away afternoons

Or just sit around the fire telling old tales

Or maybe old ghost stories in great details

The long summers evenings were a delight

Often it was not dark until near midnight

Ah the events of youth were so pleasant

But I'm way too old to do them at present

Old age plays such awful tricks on mind and body

I'd rather use the rocker with a hot toddy

HomeAgain©2022TonyFallon0303

 HomeAgain©2022TonyFallon0303

Nothing bad has happened so far yet I feel stricken

Amid such raw beauty my heart began to quicken

I was on the small road a mile from my old abode

In my eyes were sad tears I could barely see the road

I was finally home and my heart and soul were filled

Fifty years ago I departed young poor and unskilled

I got caught up in business and I also entertained

When I did not come in summer my mother complained

I will not know many neighbors nor will they know me

Those who didn't go away will know my family tree

To see the daisies dancing in a field of grass so green

Or see bundles of oats being gathered by a colleen

I remember her so fondly when I was young and shy

That lovely dark haired princess the apple of my eye

To see the furze on the hill or golden fields of wheat

They are not mowing it with a scythe it's now obsolete

To walk the country's lanes where blackberry bushes grew

Or watch the new sunrise in a field of morning dew

Around the little cottage windows see the ivy crawl

Or roses in the summer on the white washed gable wall

When I was five I was never allowed to go this far

Nor be outside at night beneath a bright moon or star

In the shadows might be a scary pookey or banshee

And I would have to go to bed no matter how I'd plea

As a lad I ran on this road fell and skinned my knees

Or rode a bicycle too fast in the evening breeze

In the local lake we caught fresh fish for Friday food

Properly cooked inside only the tinkers barbecued

We even had a man made sweat house which cured some ills

That was the old times before a hundred thousand pills

Our old church was hit by one Cromwell cannon Ball

He is long gone down to hell and it still did not fall

There were forts and a dolmen over burial mounds

And certain other evil places that were out of bounds

We often shot rabbits with an old beat up twenty two

And put marks inside on the door to see how much we grew

Walls had to be maintained to keep in wandering goats

And others rebuilt to protect the years hay and oats

Living in the country the day rarely ends at dark

Even after sunset we'd play football in the park

Long summer days sunlight was with us almost until ten

At four next morning the sun was in the sky again

We still have a summer bonfire from the pagan era

First seen by Saint Patrick on the holy Hill of Tara

I passed the holy well from which we drew fresh water

When the ass would hee haw there would be children's laughter

We had to help parents with the hay the turf and spuds

And on Saturday in the bath made a lot of suds

You'd be dressed up for confession like it was a feast

Afraid of your young life that you would anger the priest

In my father's time punishment might be ten lashes

Prior to that it used to be sack cloth and ashes

How many times we started to school so ill prepared?

The nearer you got to the school the more we were scared

At mass every Sunday morning I brought the priest wine

And men who could not afford a belt used baling twine

At noon and six we would hear the distant church bell chime

One neighbor burned rocks in a kiln and wound up with lime

I remember the old men with Woodbine stained fingers

Old women with snuff that's a memory that lingers

With all this Irish scenery at our finger tips

Why do so many of us Irish leave on planes or ships

Maybe to find out better places to search and probe

And then realize this is the best place on the globe

It's amazing how much you forget when far away

Now it seems like it all happened only yesterday