Betty'sPoem 2024TonyFallon615

 My name is Tony Fallon and Betty and I grew up about 8 miles apart.

I've been in New York for almost 60 years.I've written for many 

newspapers in Ireland and America  and have been on the radio 

for 47 years and I owned a DiscJockey businss in NYC area.

I write poetry and have one book published. 

I am the Poet Laureate of Cairo New York. I inherited the 

Fallon and Groarke brains as I left school when I was 16.

Betty'sPoem 2024TonyFallon615

The saddest day of Betty's life was leaving her home place

With everything she owned that day in a little suit case

Her last week was sad and lonesome her mind full of gloom

As she thought back to her mother now buried in Kiltoom

She remembered  her childhood and friends with whom she'd grown

It wouuld be months before she'd  again see the lights of Athlone

To the emigrant boat like many before she was assigned

Sadly leaving her young siblings and relatives  behind

I'm sure like many others she had a lonesome attack

With few prospects in Ireland  there was no going back

Alas she and Davey were not the first or last transplants

There were more to follow the generation before lost aunts

Over there already she had first cousins named Coyne

Maybe with the help of God within days they would rejoin

The sun may have shone that day but all were sad and sullen

The day Betty Fallon left her first home in Ardmullen

The scenery was unbeaten even in cold winter chill

You could see to Rahara walking down that big hill

Coming home you would have to be healthy and physical

Because no one ever rode to the top on their bicycle

One side was the Shannon the other a disappearing Lake

In summer it had pike in winter wild geese, duck and drake

The farm was very productive with its rich Roscommon lome

But so sloped up and hilly the cows would rarely come home

We now realize her staying power and endurance skills

Were learned at an early age walking those Ardmullen hills

We are double first cousins two sisters married two brothers

We had the same grandfathers and the same grandmothers

She walked to Curraghboy school daily in clothes of wollen

Returning every day at four to the hill of Ardmullen

The train went to Dublin and the old boat to Hollyhead

From Hollyhead to Eustace station the train quickly sped

To get a decent job fast was now her great ambition

While reading ads in Double 3 she secured a position

Either God was smiling on her or they loved her Irish cheer

How many girl's on their very first day start a new career

At that job and others she served food on many tables

And for three generations she rocked a lot of cradles

All the jobs and work she did she was just like a machine

You would not believe her story on a big movie screen

As the children came along and the family grew in size

She moved to Caledonia Road and later Hornsey Rise

Though she has conquered London for about six decades

The memory of Carrowkeel and Ardmullen never fades

The sweet memories of Betty's lifetime we can not replace

Now there  are four genetations from Betty down to Grace

Since I mentioned Grace there is Oscar Jude Harry and Hayden

There's Elliot Archie and Amelia a teenage maiden

As the children enjoy the food around this big buffet

We would love  food like that when we were saving hay

Living far from home the birth of her children she took in stride

With Elizabeth and Michael first she showed them off with pride

When Angela and James came later they each had three sibs

She said I'm finished with cradles there will be no more cribs

Since she and Angela share a birthday they yearly dine

Talk about the old days and share a bottle of red wine

I said I'd include all grandchildren that was a promise

There is Dean Leah Rebecca Rosie and Thomas

Also Jamie Michael Keith Ashley and Louise

I almost forgot Melissa and that wouldn't please

When God invented Betty Fallon he threw away the code

And set down before her a long narrow and winding road

Yet after all those tough years we know she has succeeded

She was there with help for her family when she was needed

I'm sure all look up to her she is experienced and wise

But I'm still fifty days older than her that is no surprise

I live in New York now far from Rahara and Barnacullen

A Happy Birthday to my cousin Betty from Ardmullen

TheEvilField©2024TonyFallon520

 

TheEvilField©2024TonyFallon520

I wandered in the dark evening zone

And felt some peace though I was alone

I must have crossed some evil ground

I wound up going round and round

I was in a valley which was vast

And I was getting nowhere fast.

Slowly I was getting more confused

I am sure by now no way amused

The circle got bigger with no egress

Was I lost forever in such stress

I'd see lights then they would dissappear

No human or living thing was near

I cirled unaware of east or west

Still in the field having not progressed

I could not walk left or straight only right

No pathway or exit was in sight

I could not walk straight or exit spy

Must I walk in circles until I'd die

The buzz in my head I wanted to stop

I was getting tired soon I would drop

Walking my energy started to zap

Yet this was not the right time to nap

To lie down now would be a big mistake

So I started counting to stay awake

It was so dark I couldn;t see my hand

Like a caged prisoner on remand

Now I was in a swamp my feet were wet

And so humid I was soaked in sweat

This whole evening turned out so eerie

Circling was turning me so weary

I thought there was a light from which I shrank

All drained of energhy I slowly sank

My true identity will be revealed

When they find me in this evil field.

TheDanceLegend ©2024TonyFallon55

 TheDanceLegend ©2024TonyFallon55

Whether at a Feis or a parade

Wherever Irish music is played

You will find someone who wants to dance

If only given half a chance

Be she a young colleen or lady

A McCarthy or an O'Grady

Steps may be just one two three four

She is now the queen of the floor

It may be impromptu or unplanned

But the audience will understand

We were so lucky here in Greene

All the Dancers knew their routine

This comes after many lessons

Practiced often at training sessions

Some families were in the dozens

Moms and daughters and first cousins

Steps learned and danced no one forgets

Whether it's jigs reels hornpipes or sets

They were not gaudy they were not loud

Students who made their parents proud

With Mike Farrell in sole command

The weekly training was well planned

Years from now maybe even faster

Girls will,say I learned from the master

Some coaches may be loud or preachers

Mike Farrell was the king of teachers

Jeanne and he kept tradition alive

Two reel  legends on one forty five

CocksOfHay©2024TonyFallon502

 CocksOfHay©2024TonyFallon502

The sun was shining brightly on that late June day

The second day of sunshine we had to save the hay

It had been a wet summer with frequent daily rain

And it would surely rot if it got wet again

It it had not been cut it would have been flattened

Or let the cattle in so they could be fattened

It was a long day's work we were ready after dawn

There was a lot of hay this was more than a lawn

It was a fine big field could be more than five acres

We had a few people with forks and a few rakers

Hay saving was important the cow had to be fed

When in winter she'd spend the cold nights in her shed

Making larger cocks we could no longer postpone

It had been three weeks since the green grass had been mown

It had been turned and tossed twice and turned one time more

Many hands had blisters and fingers that were sore

Knees were sore too from walking around that big field

While blisters and corns on a few feet were concealed

The farmer operated a rake pulled be a horse

He gathered the hay in circles like it was a course

The wife brought us tea sandwiches and bottled water

All the lads perked up later when she sent the daughter

Many cheeks were burned red from not wearing wide sun hats

We called it a day after an invasion of gnats.

TheEnglishLass©2024TonyFallon423

 

TheEnglishLass©2024TonyFallon423

The first time I met her she was a pretty teenage lass

She was coming from first and I going to second mass

I had to admire as she headed in my direction

In that twenty seconds or so she passed my inspection

I said hello to the lovely lass meaning her no harm

I assumed she was the daughter at the new Murphy farm

I was the local country lad she was of English stock

And she looked so lovely that day in her gay floral frock

It not only enhanced her lovely face but her full form

Springtime was in the morning air and it was getting warm

I had to admire her lovely smile and her gloveless hands

As I cycled my way to second mass with racing glands

The next week went by so much slower than an old snails pace

All I had were many visions of that lovely girls face

I spent the whole week checking the week end weather forecasts

In case there would be heavy rain on Sunday for first mass

I would prefer it wasn't raining and she didn't wear a coat

Or so cold she would have to wear a scarf around her throat

The time was almost at hand when I would have to impress

The new English girl in the village with the lovely dress

I knew I had to work fast my future was now at stake

My thoughts of us never clicking were keeping me awake

Sunday morning the sun shone brightly and birds were singing

This could be a good kick start of a brand new beginning

I did not catch sight of her as I made my lonely ride

But when I finally saw her I very nearly cried

For she had gotten there early in a pony and trap

And walking her inside the church was a well dressed young chap

I felt my world collapse which really was ironic

We did not even meet so you couldn't call it platonic

I was now heartbroken I no longer had a heartthrob

So I headed to England and I quickly got a job

Some weeks later I got a letter signed by my mother

Telling me the lad with the girl was her older brother

So I guess you'd have to say I had a slim delusion

But much worse than that I had jumped to the wrong conclusion

SleeplessInCairo©2024TonyFallon415

 SleeplessInCairo©2024TonyFallon415

As I aroused this morning I was barely awake

I knew on the spot I was making a big mistake

It would be a lot more productive for me if instead

I had stayed trying to go back to sleep in my warm bed

First I would be on my back prone then I'd be upside down

I was so frustrated I couldn't stop this turning around

I finally got up and started walking round the floor

It was raining outside when I looked outside the door

The room was a bit cold as the boiler had not yet fired

It was only four or five hours since I had retired

The sun had not yet risen and it was still pitch dark

And the bloody dog next door let out a lonely bark

In the trees a lot of birds were singing in our block

Why are they so happy it is not yet five O'clock

With no one else awake in the house this could get boring

I could have been relaxed if I had just kept snoring

I don't want to watch Facebook and I don't watch TV

I could dream of winning money at Bingo at the Koc

To help me back to dreamland I started counting sheep

That made me edgier alas I could not go to sleep

I could have gone for a run if I was in condition

But then I might faint and they'd have to call a physician

I couldn't get the least bit drowsy I could not even yawn

I was walking around the bedroom at the crack of dawn

Despite my most valiant efforts I did not retire

I did minor exercises, but they made me perspire

I would make noise in the bathtub at this ghostly hour

And I'd even make more noise if I took a shower

I've been going around grouchy all day with a short fuse

I heard more than one person say "I think he's sniffing glues''

I've been going through today with cobwebs in my head

Most people think I got out the wrong side of the bed

LiesLiesTonyFallonApril132021

  LiesLiesTonyFallonApril132021

April 12302

1What you told me long ago I shall not soon forget

that you’d be always here I should not fret

You told me you loved me and that I should wait

a contradictory statement just flirting bait

you loved another your love for me was fake

you pierced my heart with the devils stake

Some like to keep others hanging on the hook

Pretend but do not show them your black book

In case other evil plans suddenly fall apart

In other words always have a spare heart