tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15144015105021531192024-03-05T11:49:28.100+00:00Window across Dublin BayRandom thoughts on the Universe from my office in the attic overlooking Dublin BayPadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-55723905230813325292023-07-24T10:37:00.004+01:002023-07-24T10:44:47.741+01:00Climate change and me<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; font-weight: bold;">Climate change and me</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><ol class="ol1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I come to this topic with some advantages. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I was a business banker for thirty years and must have seen thousands of accounts and financial projections. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While some of the accounts were accurate the projections almost never were. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I did not grow weary or cynical. Bad as the projections were, I knew without them we would never know by how much we missed our targets. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Projections failed at times because people were lazy or indeed lying, but mostly through misplaced optimism or the hope that if we wished for something that would make it more achievable. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So I have brought this healthy distrust to many other fields, from politics to rugby predictions. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So when they brought out the Paris Agreement in 2015 with a target of 1.5% my immediate response was to double it to 3.0%. And I wrote poems to that effect. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In the first instance that’s my best guess as to where we will reach in under a century.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In the second instance it’s a reachable target when it is important for people not to lose heart. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In the third instance it sounds small but in fact is terrifying. At a guess about 90% of the worlds population will be directly impacted. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">A world sweltering at 3 degrees above the historic average will give rise to massive climate changes. That world will not support 7 billion people. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">At a guess the surviving population will be closer to 2 billion. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">All our current preoccupations of trade and travel, of electric cars and divisive politics, of leisure and land-wars will be overtaken by the new imperative to simply survive. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It is conceivable that AI will be forced to sort it out. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We will be left with a civilization with very different values and no national boundaries. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Mankind will change not when it should but when it has to. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And in the meantime?</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">What is the point of our tiny inputs when facing such challenges and the knowledge that others are doing so little? </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The answer is the age old invitation ‘to do our best’. Why?</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Because it is the right thing to do irrespective of the overall outcome or the expectation or behavior of others. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Virtue is good for its own sake. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our little bit combines with others doing the same and maybe the increase will be only 2.9 degrees or 2.8. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">By the same token we need balance. Logically we should all commit suicide and avoid further damage to our planet. But we can learn to cut down and plant up. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We will learn to overcome the anger we feel when we see decent people make continual missteps and misjudgments. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Never was this prayer more appropriate. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, <br />the courage to change the things I can, <br />and the wisdom to know the difference. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">July 2023. Greece is burning. Portugal is smoldering. Italy is baking. Spain is sweltering. </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Il faut cultiver notre jardin (Candide by Voltaire 1759). </span></li></ol><div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Three Degrees Warmer</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It’s three o clock in the morning</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It’s three degrees warmer at sea</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">What’s going to become of our world </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In under a century?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Two degrees is a figment </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">There isn’t a chance in hell </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">That Paris or any Agreement</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Will save us from climate Hell. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This makes three hells in one poem</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Which doesn’t sound good at all </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">But then neither does three degrees</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And that’s what we’re heading for. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">There’s lots of numbers these days</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It’s hard to remember them all,</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Remember the number that matters</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In eighty years time we’ll recall - </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Its 3</span></p></div>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-90919204029940936372022-10-08T22:25:00.000+01:002022-10-08T22:25:00.443+01:00August September 2022<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> I would be mistaken </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I would be mistaken if I thought <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With age came courage and sound wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For so often the reverse appears<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we clutch onto things and moments<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That we must yield so very soon. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The generous teenage years will yield<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sometimes to desperate clutching <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of what we sacrificed when young<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The years and money that we gave<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For adolescent hopes and dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The challenge in our seventies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To mine and find the seam of good<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">So that our failing days may shine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With the glow of golden goodness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The key to true enchantment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lest we be found alone and cold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In our vault of useless gold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Starved of love bereft, untold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The stories that transform our lives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For only good and love survive. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Sacrifice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A forgotten virtue if truth be told<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When young men gave their lives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Forsaking wives and children<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For kingdom, God and country. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now we feel betrayed by churches,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">By leaders and by politicians<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who knows where truth lies anymore?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The well’s run empty as is the store. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And what of us when young <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who gave our all to serve a God unseen?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What now when old to give for climate change<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">So sadly near and very real? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Do we feel we’ve paid our dues?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And now it’s time for others?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To sacrifice as once we did<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Half a century earlier?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Do we feel our job is done?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That we can spend while the young <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Will have a future less secure<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we run down the family’s funds? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Or do feel our time has come<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To show the mettle when we were young?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cut back consumption and our vices,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To follow through our old advices? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Christina McDonagh<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Christina the baby, one of thirteen, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Reared in the Dairy numbered twenty <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">On old Castle Street, in dear Sligo town<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Beside the bookmaker Kilmartins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Impossibly exotic to a fellow of five<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Impressed by the hair up in a bouffant <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Shapely high heels and ruby red lipstick <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The height of high style in the black and white fifties. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Playing golf in Strandhill, cycling to swim<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Going on far cruises, she never stayed in<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">She escaped to the office to tot up the sums<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">She was ever full of devilment and fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I remember the fifties when she worked round the corner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Austin Princess for glamorous weddings <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When big cars were big and impossibly plush<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In a decade severe and so simple. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Josie and Teenie bought their house<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">High on the hill on the road to the Point<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Alas Josie never managed the move<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From quiet town Centre to wild ocean road. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Christina carried on riding her bike<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cycling each day to the sea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A figure bent over the bars<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A character that lasted the years. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Active and free like the wind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Until old age reeled her in, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But still a familiar sight<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In a Sunday hotel in Bundoran. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Her days in the nursing home busy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Reading the paper each morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Never a complaint from her lips <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Everything ‘grand’ was her motto. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The last to arrive, now the last to take leave <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The end of a story that began last century <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In police barracks back in Glenties<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the turbulent year of nineteen fifteen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The end of an era in Sligo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With descendants all over the land<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We mourn for Christina the baby <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And for each of the other thirteen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Awake <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I wake, I check, I’m not dead yet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I think I might sleep on but instead<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I’ll celebrate the day with coffee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Then I might walk to fair Dun Leary. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Or perhaps I’ll wander down to Dalkey town,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Have a swim at White Rock while soaking up the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Return to Country Bake for a scrummy currant cake<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Pop into the church for a moment of reflection. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It’s a civilized old life we lead, retired and without needs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And if we had them, who would heed?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The class of sixty-nine with silver heads<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The baby booming golden generation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Dalkey is so civilized, the perfect combination<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A melting pot of rich and poor, old and young, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Artisan dwellings and lofty mansions <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Stately piles and gleaming new structures. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sensible mostly not to take itself seriously<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Enough wags and wits to teach us humility <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Home to past stars, to Binchy and Newman,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And newer folk too, lured by its beauty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The Angelus Bells<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Angelus bells ring out across the sleepy suburbs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And whisper all is well to devout believers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">While unbelievers take comfort too<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From forgotten childhood prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When the world was safe and the future better<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The hopeful fifties promised bright progress <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From the troubled forties our parents once endured<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And God was in his Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Angelus bells sound clear for rich and poor <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A democratic chime for this time and free to all<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A chime of hope and innocence when all around<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Dark shadows threaten and war cries sound. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The silence has returned to our unbelieving parish<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A midday peace slips down our garden wall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For we will savour what God gives in August<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Peace is warmly welcomed in sun drenched lawns. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Eyes look out<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Eyes look out from photos<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unblinking, full of life and hope<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now witness to the holocaust<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That took their lives and futures<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But could not take their memory. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Eyes that connect with mine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Across the years and beyond the grave <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Their gazes unaware of horrors<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Encountered in their final hours <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We shall remember and revere them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What man can do to fellow man<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What executioners can justify<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now repeated as we crucify<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our precious world whose innocence<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Offers no protection from the mindless. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Innocent eyes stare out unaware<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of what lay ahead as they fall <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Their noses could not yet smell the gas <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That would claim them naked <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the killing rooms of extermination halls. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Standing in the tragic gap<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Between man’s love and hatred<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Holding two truths in our hands<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unwilling to succumb to baseless hope<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Nor equally to helpless grief. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We will take another step upon our journey <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That invites all pilgrims in the morning <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Heading West with faith intact <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Walking cheerfully with happy feet,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Raising hope in all we meet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The hill<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The hill I walk each day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Will reveal new discoveries<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As the habitual lays bare <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">New secrets on the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Every day a new adventure <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A shaft of light through trees<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Never seen before but revealing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Novel shadows on the steps <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That lead up to the summit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Where all is changing on the hour<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The sky, the sea, the Wicklow Hills<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That invite the hopeful traveller. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Today the wind is whistling gently <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the summer trees that shed some leaves<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Upon a path of dappled sunshine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Beneath a mellow sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This moment is all mine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I must surrender to the now<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Exile the transient, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The petty troubles of the hour. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The ferns are leaning <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As in prayer and bend<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To gentle breezes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Rustling in the midday sun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A leaf comes gently<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Floating to the forest floor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I stroke a noble oak<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All this is now enough<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Satisfied, we need no more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> What kind of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What kind of God have we just created <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That somehow would require our prayers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To remind him of his tender mercies?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What kind of God would need reminding <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of war and cancer, of death and grieving?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Surely not a God who’s deserving. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our prayers to God are framed by men<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For God has done his bit long time ago<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All help already here or not at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For not all help is clearly seen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are many things Horatio <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Not dreamt of in our philosophies. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A God who hides in coincidences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who does not respond to commands<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But will appear when least expected. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God is heard when noise abates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God is seen when the lights turn down <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">At births and deaths and in between. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Hurry my lover<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hurry my lover and gather the music<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That captures our bodies and souls<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And run to our cave in the mountains <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Far away from the crowds and the noise of the city. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The world will not miss us for after a week<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">People return to their normal survival<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And the world will not stumble or fall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It really won’t miss us at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But still we shall flourish away from the crowds <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who can wage their own wars without us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The world will spin on and travel through space<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ten million miles in the course of a day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We shall be spared the worries and anguish<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of predictions and warnings that never take place <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">On the world rolls while we curl closer together<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unaware of the markets or the price of old <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">gold. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">At our front door we leave our shoes and our worries<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For inside is a temple to sacred endeavour <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To quiet reflection and long solemn silences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To dance and to fun, to music and song. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We shall dance through the evening <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And twirl through the night<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Gripping waist, arms and shoulders<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Letting go, bringing in, holding tight. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Skipping for joy and laughing for love<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Enjoying a heaven that’s always been present <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unlocking a paradise hiding inside<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Patiently awaiting our time and our effort. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Quiet moments <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These are the quiet moments<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the last storm breaks<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This is the solemn evening<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the air’s sucked out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Clouds are passing overhead untroubled<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It’s an August afternoon like any other<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the thunder shakes the ground<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And lightning strikes chapel towers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For nothing’s safe or sacred now<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">No God above or Lord below<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Can intervene to save a land<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Overcome by climate change. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It’s true the storm had gathered<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It became our next-door neighbour<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">So familiar that it didn’t trouble us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Except for mad and anxious types. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now it’s here, no going back<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The ice berg’s come and gone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">No turning back the icy clock<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Time to repent is truly spent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Oh give us back our time again!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We could only use it better<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But our pleas fall on deaf ears<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Drowned by the waves with no one here. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></p>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-67072687825580426942022-10-08T22:22:00.003+01:002022-10-08T22:22:47.994+01:00July 2022<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Sitting on the soft sand</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sitting on the soft sand<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The sky is showing off<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Clouds of gold brighten <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Just as the twilight calls. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Precious, light filled evening<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Bookending a day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That nearly slipped away<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before this firework started. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The tide is lapping on the shore<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Brave swimmers still defy the cold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Children’s cries float down the beach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mark summer break in full swing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The clouds have turned to russet now<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Tinged with yellow edges<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The ferry’s passed - the beach has emptied<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This summer’s our to savour. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Across the sea there’s a feast out there,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">July the fourth, Independence Day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Honoured more in the breach <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Than in well scripted observance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The people of Kyiv now fall asleep<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unsure what the morrow brings<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They know what independence means<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They shed their blood to show it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Above the sea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Above the sea at White Rock<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Embraced by Killiney bay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We sit and watch the bathers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This glorious July day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Time seems stopped<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Recalling happy hours<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When minutes weren’t rationed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When hope lay in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Girls are sneaking looks at boys<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who struggle not to gaze<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The frisson of the fresh sea water<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The thrill of glances shared. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All is pure and innocent <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">So happy and so harmless <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">On this delicious day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We’ve come to sit and stay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With togs still wet, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we summon up the courage<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To match their elan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As they dive into the water<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Like a Baptism that promises<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">New life and new beginnings <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Fresh in an old world tired<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of bad news and everything. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We will celebrate this summer sun<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Warm winds caress with more to come <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Whatever could we need or want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When all is given freely?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> After we are gone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A burnt and blasted country <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Its arms outstretched across a barren land<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Charred crops lie listless in the fields<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Man and beast seek shelter from the midday sun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The giver of all green life now turned destroyer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Blazing in an unrelenting sky<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A chalky sun shows no tender mercy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">While tiny insects curl up and die. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s not blame man for he’s been feckless<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From the dawn of time and Eden’s Garden<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s not expect a change of tune<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When the only song he knows is this one. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The world will turn long after we are gone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And file our small chapter in its history<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When men were briefly here and then no longer <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And far the planet travels lonely on. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Its lovely path bisects the universe <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It charts a course past moons and stars<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A story still alive and beautiful <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That lasts ten billion years or more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">End of world<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />The world will end some day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Even though we pray for life eternal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Against all the evidence<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Against the feel of common sense. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Puny man will bring it sooner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Than it otherwise might be<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But when you count ten billion years <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ten thousand years slips easily. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our only future remains the same<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To return to stars whence we came<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our future is assured in galaxies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That mirror echoes of our brief sojourn. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For all our sins, and they are many<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We added to this universe <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Humour, music and compassion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In a pattern traveling wide <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Those values never die<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But bring a rhythm and a sense<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Beyond black holes and impermanence<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Across the Milky Way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our swan song is a chorus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Heard across the galaxies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Light years beyond our little station<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Part of a cosmic balance sheet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We shall not weep for fallen comrades<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For in truth we all must fall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One day whether young or old<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is no Justice in the stars. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Look Beyond<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />Look beyond this world my child<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When city lights have dimmed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When darkness gains the upper hand<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Long after the end and last stand<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Your spirit will shine night and day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In a journey through the stars <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Beyond our tiny galaxy <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the outer shores of time and space. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Look beyond our short life my child<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To when our spirit free and wild<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Can dance in rhythm with the ages<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Time itself our partner in the waltz. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Science tells us that two atoms <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Will continue to affect each other<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Millions of miles apart and hurtling<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the furthest edges of the universe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Science always stranger than fiction<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Reveals a reality more miraculous<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Than our wildest dreams and imagination<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Confounding priests and atheists alike. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Eye hath not seen nor ear heard<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The marvels beneath the microscope<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The modest miracles of the day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And the gleaming secrets of the night. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Nada te turbe my child<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Let nothing disturb your peace<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Nor Gods on high nor man below<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For your spirit will outlive them all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The early tractor <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The early tractor labors in the fields<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Glowing summer yellow beside the sea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That sighs this July morning <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">While birds are chirping in the eaves. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All is fine and all is well in Wexford<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The radio stays silent, unaware <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of things of import up the motorway <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ignorance is bliss and silence even better. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The smell of coffee climbs the stairs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the bedroom window open wide<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Upon a scene of cars arriving <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the beach with togs for swimming. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Silence broken now by cries of laughter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Anticipation for the younger ones <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A happy day spent on the beach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Fun for all, care exiled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Covid’s banished for the present <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As families return to normal <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Catch up on two years lost<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Make these present moments last. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The ferry glides<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The ferry glides along a twilight sea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Against a sky that’s fading slowly <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It slips in silence like a gracious swan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Into a summer night that is encroaching. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The beach lies deserted almost<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With just a family in the distance<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Walking dogs while absorbing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The ozone that the tide releases. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Back in the campsite children laugh and play<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They’re waiting at the chipper for their tea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Their parents sit in shorts enjoying pints <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They sadly missed in previous years. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ireland has recovered, or so it seems<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Gone the fear of greeting others <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Two years of Covid leaving scars<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Two long years we never will recover. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Do not go worried<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Do not go worried into that good night<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Old age can brighten up each start of day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Take, take the blessing of the evening Light<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Embrace a morrow when the sun shines bright. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There comes a time to set down arms<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Against the fight for life when death<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Is but the gentle friend that takes us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the other side where sorrow dies. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Where life continues on, but differently <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Where all that’s left of us is love<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spinning towards remote infinity<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we embrace a new eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There comes a time for sweet surrender<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To relax and slip into the slumber <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The day is done and work is over<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Work clothes lay tidy in the corner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The time has come to walk into the Light<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That has guided us by day and night<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Everything we’ve borrowed now returned <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we pass with nothing whence we came. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Freed of all possessions that weigh us down <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Up the soul can rise like featherdown <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Embraced by bonds of concern and care<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Tethered tight to those whose love we share. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With thanks/apologies to Dylan Thomas and Cardinal Newman. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-44878197001006599352022-10-08T22:21:00.001+01:002022-10-08T22:21:21.409+01:00May June 2022<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">One man’s war</span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One man’s war holds in store<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Death and exile, fear and horror. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">How did we let him get this far<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Why not stop him long before?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We only heard the words the Lord said<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">About the doves and being gentle<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Drinking tea in China cups <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Politely with the enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Christ mentioned serpents and being cunning<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But those lines we found were missing <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We hadn’t learned the lessons of the millions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who perished in Auschwitz and Birkenau. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who lived in ghettos til transported <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">On trains like sheep to the station <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They meekly walked into gas chambers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Were shown no mercy for their patience. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To work for peace is not so simple <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We simply cannot suffer murder<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the hope that someone else<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Will come to rescue and to save us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Peace will come when the bully’s beaten<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With his hands behind his back<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All the prayers and all the candles<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Are simply not good enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And when it’s over the message clearer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To athletes and the Bolshoi Ballet<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are consequences for a country<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are dues that must be paid. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This is a war that belongs to Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But the drumbeat sounds globally<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The damage is felt universally<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There must be Justice finally. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Every country has its fools<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They raise their voices to defend him<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Time has passed when we listen to them<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We simply hold for victory. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> Train to Sligo<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Coming up to Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As regular as clockwork <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The sisters travelled on the train<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From Connolly to McDermott<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Or as advertised MacDiarmada<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For Iarnrod Eireann faithfully <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Catered to the one percent<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who spoke Gaelic fluently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lily and Maureen armed with presents<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For their siblings up in Castle Street. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We rendezvoused in Churchtown<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When stars were in the skies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the milkman called<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the postman too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A welcome breakfast in the North Star<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before heading for the platform<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Up ho into the carriage<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lots of chat for them to manage. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Then after work I’d pick mum up<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">While Norman did the same<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Back to Landscape for a tea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A short debrief then off I went. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These ladies of the second decade<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of the twentieth century<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Never strayed from their birth place<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Or their kindred back home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All the photos monochrome <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All the memories dear <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of the sisters who always travelled<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When advent turned the corner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> Two terraces and a kettle<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The sea is heard above the silence<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That has fallen on an evening land <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When sounds of man fall silent<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And the ocean claims its hour. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now is the time when crickets fill<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The dying hours with their strident calls<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With sounds that promise summer heat<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And lazy days beneath the sun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Houses flicker with warm lights<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Before the western sky grows dark<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All is well and all is calm<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In this piece of Paradise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The night has taken over <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The ocean chorus sounds much clearer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As wounded Nature sounds defiant<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And recalls the primeval order. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> It’s over now<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It’s over now the battle’s lost<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To save the world from climate change<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mankind will suffer and survive<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As it’s done before but with smaller numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Not all is lost but quite a lot<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The poor and innocent will take this hit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Stuck where they’re born while wealthy wasters<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leave their problems to the ones who come behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">My eyes are lifted to the mountains high<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That rise above the sea and touch the sky<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Beyond the palm trees on the fairway<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We glimpse Mount Teide climb above the ranges. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All has changed before and will change again<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Good to be alive to watch bad golf<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Along the ninth that passes by my balcony<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Commune with simple souls that strike a ball<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Around a strip of grass contained by garden walls. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The last chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He turned the pages one by one <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He enjoyed the reading in the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The book of life was his own<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Years and months and days had flown. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Over years he lost some friends<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Neighbours and relatives had met their end<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But nothing before prepared him quite<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When the last chapter came in sight. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Another chapter had always lurked ahead<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When he turned off the light beside his bed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Every night for eighty years<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This book that never ended. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Imagine his surprise and dread <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When no more chapters lay ahead<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He watched in horror as a page a day <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Turned in his book, time wouldn’t stay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Neither time nor tide waits for any one <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our time is rationed under the sun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One Hundred Thousand years ago<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />One hundred thousand years ago<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The weather disimproved <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The winter first came sooner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And then it lasted longer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Stone Age man looked out his cave<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And faced a tough decision<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To stay within the family<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Or wander southwards sooner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The wise men were approached<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who examined stars and signs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And warned against them leaving<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To a future land uncertain. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And so the others froze and died <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Over years and generations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This story only saved and told<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">By those who shunned the warnings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Off they traveled south<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unsure of what the future <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When all the sound advice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Was to stay inside and shelter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Stone Age man’s replaced by iPhone guy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But things are much the same <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mankind must face new climate change <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And the lives that it will claim. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">iPhone man will overcome <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">More by luck than by design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Once again the poor will perish<o:p></o:p></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The rich will turn out fine</span>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-2669903314900078242022-10-08T22:18:00.002+01:002022-10-08T22:18:51.823+01:00April 2022<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Kyiv verses</span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These lines are written <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With the finish still unknown<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To this Russian war from hell<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Unleashed by the mad Putin. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We thought for years that wars<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Were prisoners of the history books<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Film titles long enshrined<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the concrete of the mind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, we heard of foreign battles<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But they were over ‘there’<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Outside our conscious zone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The big battles were all fought<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All soldiers dead, fifty years ago<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The heroes of war movies <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Not the here and now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We fought our battles on the screens<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With popcorn in our armchairs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Not in blood in army trenches<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Not with people we recognized. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now it’s real, now it’s human<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Now it’s close and personal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The West is fighting hard<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With fair Ukraine as cover. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is the chance of a mistake<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A careless lighter finds the grass<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A conflagration that consumes us all<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The dice is thrown, the ball’s in play. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This war has shown us that the stakes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Rise higher all the time<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our colours lie nailed to the mast<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To achieve a peace that lasts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">April 19<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">You have no idea<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">You have no idea what it is to give your young life<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To the service of the Lord in your teenage years <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When friends are busy tracing steps <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Across a college or an office floor. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">You’ve never asked and indeed why would you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What it’s like to turn your back on life<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When life has just begun and you have come <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To harvest early fruits that freedom brings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday afternoons not spent at football matches<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But in tidy rooms where disinfectant<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mingles with the scent of weekend incense<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And a Sunday silence lies flat and still. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">You haven’t faced the final questions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Time and again from earnest preachers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who speak of hell that will consume us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">If we fail to clear our conscience. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lives of serenity steeped in anxiety<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Weeks of silence but the voices echo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the nights, lonely and abandoned <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When our lives escape our grasp. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lived against the cliff of time<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When eternity starts each sentence<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When we hope that God or heaven <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Has inspired this solo journey. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Is all of this a waste of time and youth?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Would we be better in the pub on Friday night?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This God that seems to come and go<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Can prove elusive when we join the fight. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It’s ups and downs of course <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is no refuge when we leave the world <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It follows us and gives us joys and pains<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We cannot leave our true selves, we hope. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Saints and sad men now our companions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Some should leave and some should stay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One thing for sure, it takes some courage<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To stay the course or call it a day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> May in Dun Laoghaire<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Minding my own business, heading for a haircut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Locking up my bike when a lovely voice behind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Captures me and people stand and listen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This superb summer day in Dun Leary centre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Turning back, I find some change <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And leave it on her jacket<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">While she moves seamlessly<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">From Sinatra to Flamenco. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It gives me pleasure to see who gives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And who passes as she sings her repertoire<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Young and old, yes, mostly old<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who slowly bend and toss a coin. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Old ladies with umbrellas on a sunny day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Just in case the forecast proves false again<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Give their widows mite while their silver hair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Shines in the bright noonday sun of May. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This piece of heaven arrives without a warming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Like nearly all the best things - a surprise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">A voice that’s rich enraptures the builder’s crew<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sitting in the sun, captures me and you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">She sings in English and in Spanish <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And while we ponder which magic part of Spain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">She sings an Argentinian air for compatriots<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who embrace with double kiss and dance for fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">St Michael’s church a backdrop<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Pigeons hunt for crumbs from school kids <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Tradesmen stop awhile whistling the familiar tune<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Only in Dun Laoghaire will you hear a girl from Buenos Aires sing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> Surprises<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I surprised my darling with a flower<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And she thought it lovely<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And thought it better than<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Expensive presents for her birthday. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I like Jesus because he too<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Did what was not expected <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He healed the poor and blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He dined with the rejected. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mixing with the wrong sort<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Getting up the noses <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Of the genteel people <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who lived in better houses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Get rid of him they did<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">But only three days later<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He surprised his friends and critics <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">By rising from the chamber. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We cannot plan our happiness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">That comes when we’re not looking<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It comes as a surprise <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It comes when we’re not asking. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-10309090759300618462014-10-08T12:31:00.001+01:002021-07-19T13:09:16.718+01:00With affection Kate Harte, 1920-2013
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog1qDP_mPxiZkZepOukkhl0rLzwJAtNObuHNdrlPcfTbjjsE2ssNGanWO25bpFs8zUL_MGp2xO_odjh6EoHAwWsq4Ft-ETNi-WOBPzjeAyPszWRX9iXGKn5eY6D8xBBDmKkt_i88kdbPS/s1600/Holiday+024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog1qDP_mPxiZkZepOukkhl0rLzwJAtNObuHNdrlPcfTbjjsE2ssNGanWO25bpFs8zUL_MGp2xO_odjh6EoHAwWsq4Ft-ETNi-WOBPzjeAyPszWRX9iXGKn5eY6D8xBBDmKkt_i88kdbPS/s1600/Holiday+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kate from Kells<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A will of steel and
iron<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of soft and generous
heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Appropriate then
perhaps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To marry Desmond
Harte<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many decades to
remember<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we mourned her
last December<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate the golfer, Kate
the mother<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister, friend, and
life lover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift for friendship<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not spread wide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But true and close<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right by our side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever ready, ever true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To lend a hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me and you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knitting, sewing,
cooking, cleaning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing ever too
demeaning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming, going and
supporting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving deftly as in
a Porsche<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby sitting, reading, teaching<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around her kitchen
table<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tea in china cups<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the chime of
carriage clocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Marie's bungalow
o'er the bay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A modest drink at
close<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lively G and T at five<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Helps the sisters to
revive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever ready, ever able<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ring the phone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She'll never waver. .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple homely
pleasures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Span the rolling
years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time sits still for
decades<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In sleepy Dalkey
streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last the call of
time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catches Kate in
clutches<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so the days now
shorten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As eventide drew
nearer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never dim, but always
bright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile lights up
our day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knock, she turns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Hello
darling" I hear her say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as she peers
'mid family faces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her voice will echo
through the ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZMd8IF2AFLmXSFmVGSfbbqk_kOOgxIR_FXBarrqWrOtwGjC352zSrDhAQCsIXNMcj0TyH3CfQmv5IQdA2pDyfyCAjSv44Ax2Xetk6UaBNygevOHZRBEMnV6KbxJ27geiuEsKuJHHQwzN/s1600/DSCF0330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZMd8IF2AFLmXSFmVGSfbbqk_kOOgxIR_FXBarrqWrOtwGjC352zSrDhAQCsIXNMcj0TyH3CfQmv5IQdA2pDyfyCAjSv44Ax2Xetk6UaBNygevOHZRBEMnV6KbxJ27geiuEsKuJHHQwzN/s1600/DSCF0330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-9109376168456214572014-10-08T11:14:00.002+01:002014-10-08T11:17:17.602+01:00Don't the French speak French well?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhILVrAakjjcYLBXyuu6_3-4Er-ttYiNlU0FS0gUqKAtPpPAhfj-4Y5JUsogJ5TaVwtendveZqNPq9qSSNgeMzGTJrdLbP6s12GXKw-IdoA3ShDDRj2RMYaKG6tqVFnvrpKcVjhnELR7w/s1600/2011_0528Kate0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhILVrAakjjcYLBXyuu6_3-4Er-ttYiNlU0FS0gUqKAtPpPAhfj-4Y5JUsogJ5TaVwtendveZqNPq9qSSNgeMzGTJrdLbP6s12GXKw-IdoA3ShDDRj2RMYaKG6tqVFnvrpKcVjhnELR7w/s1600/2011_0528Kate0118.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love language. I love language that is spoken or written well. But above all I love language that is spoken well.
<br />
<br />
I love the way the French speak French. They speak it well with pride and attention. <br />
<br />
You would think the English would be the best at speaking English - but that is not always the case. I love regional accents - but only when the diction is clear. I find Coronation St and Eastenders depressing. I hate hearing the English being mangled and the grammar being strangled.
<br />
<br />
I am trying to become more mellow in my old age. When I first heard the Australian accent courtesy of 'Neighbours' many years ago I could not understand it. When I got to understand it, I decided I did not like it. Why would people murder an innocent language and strangle the blameless vowels?<br />
<br />
I love the Welsh and Scots accents - I think they speak English much better than many English people. I love Dublin humour but find the Dublin accent lazy. Bob Geldof may have made the Dublin accent sexy, but clearly difinitions of 'sexy' differ.
<br />
<br />
I adore the Irish language, Gaelic. I had the happy experience of spending four summers in the ealry sxities living in Connemara with a family whose first language was Irish - indeed in the case of some members of the household, their only language. Irish spoken well is a thing of beauty. People who love Irish mistakenly think that people should be encouraged to speak bad Irish - 'better bad Irish than no Irish' seems to be motto. Insanity. It is like suggesting that Mozart and Beethoven played badly is better than silence.
<br />
<br />
In the same vein, I hate it when Irish politicians inisist on speaking a few words in terrible Irish - the 'cupla focail'. It is like leering at a girl and saying you are at least paying her the compiment of showing her attention. Better left alone to die a linguistic spinster than this suffer this cruel attack.
<br />
<br />
Languages are intersting for their different conepts. To take the simplest concept - 'I am hungry' is translated in French and Spanish - 'j'ai faim' and' tengo hambre' - I have hunger. In Irish it is 'ta ocras orm' - there is hunger on me. My point being if something as simple as hunger is expressed in such different ways - how many and varied are the more subtle ways of looking at issues pracitcal and philosophical? That is one of the fasinating things about learing languages - finding out about the different approaches to life and embracing as we learn to speak a new language.
<br />
<br />
There is an Irish 'me' and an French 'me' and a Spanish 'me. Speaking fluently in different languages allows different elements of ourselves to escape the prison of the language we were born into.<br />
<br />
Traveling broadens the mind, they say, but nothing compared to speaking another language with confidence and without self consciousness. Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-74691648264953688382014-10-08T10:45:00.000+01:002014-10-08T10:47:56.782+01:00Original Win - an apology from God.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LgVMn3tVi1_OEtTx_x6eAdzEYAOvVXVVUTvp-v8pAbKARWW-NvVQq1vjNdedQCAgdFBQOJWMXVEoSaE0d9fLaE2Q6CgLZ-Bc5LfE8U7yooYMNelaeLQgWCOa7ESqvBd3wuZo8S0uwcYx/s1600/2011_0528Kate0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LgVMn3tVi1_OEtTx_x6eAdzEYAOvVXVVUTvp-v8pAbKARWW-NvVQq1vjNdedQCAgdFBQOJWMXVEoSaE0d9fLaE2Q6CgLZ-Bc5LfE8U7yooYMNelaeLQgWCOa7ESqvBd3wuZo8S0uwcYx/s1600/2011_0528Kate0220.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Original Win - An
apology from God<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear people of God,
I'm very sorry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That a typo of mine
has caused you to worry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The s and the w are
sadly stored<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closely together on
the querty keyboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll blame it on
Genesis,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book, not the
band<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next bible I
write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will be slowly, by
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you were
clever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you would soon
spot my error.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me it's abundantly
clear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike a Guinness but
a Weiss beer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I created was
good and was true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That includes people
and certainly you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glass is more
than half full<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is normally
good, not evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ask yourself,
silly head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your intentions as
you get out of bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it to kill and
maim?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or break your fast
and take the train?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The milkman had now
left his load<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of milk and cream on
your road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus driver has
washed and driven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you can travel to
make a living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young mother
holds her baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To her breast. It
seems to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world I made is
mostly good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I presumed that would
be understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this talk of sin
and death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is simply bad logic
and worse math<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open your eyes and
smell the tea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a typo, silly
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-11033503259960577232013-07-08T19:59:00.001+01:002013-07-08T19:59:20.295+01:00Home, sweet home!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3ccUiWlwKosttmo_vOs-Ru3pSqxwXUyU6I5Q_mcXnRp9Rw2tsdVFRiJpXoAPlPUEvaZRP3xcLfXeW723niNa9Dqx3UK_PDcWoPN1tvG-Netm98EM0bj2KTvL9pcC9_7pndd8drEf0hYc/s1600/DSCF1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3ccUiWlwKosttmo_vOs-Ru3pSqxwXUyU6I5Q_mcXnRp9Rw2tsdVFRiJpXoAPlPUEvaZRP3xcLfXeW723niNa9Dqx3UK_PDcWoPN1tvG-Netm98EM0bj2KTvL9pcC9_7pndd8drEf0hYc/s320/DSCF1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Today we did the final clear out of the
family home. I turned on the alarm and closed the door behind me for the last
time. I said good bye to our neighbors in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Landscape</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and thanked them for being such a support to my mother in her later years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Such was the innocence of the fifties; my
mother recalls they drove across town to Churchtown on a Sunday afternoon looking
to buy a house. They turned a corner and saw a new house with a ‘for sale’
sign, so they looked at it and put down a deposit that very afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">So much for a forensic examination of the
schools and bus routes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The young couples who bought in Churchtown
in the early fifties are now slowly dying off and being replaced by newer
families who will probably get a refurbishment of the house done before moving
in. We of the middle generation bought our second hand houses and made changes over
a period of four decades, living with dust and builders as we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I did not expect the morning to be so emotionally
charged. I looked at the simple bedroom and kitchen fittings which were hand
made by my father. I admired the garden so still and private and tranquil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">In the fifties the left hand side of the
garden was dedicated to fruit and vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, cabbages,
apple trees (eaters and cookers), raspberries and strawberries, blackcurrants
and gooseberries, rhubarb and lettuce, in no particular order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I was but 18 months old when the <st1:city w:st="on">Murray</st1:city> family arrived from Portumna, Co <st1:place w:st="on">Galway</st1:place>.
My earliest memory was of getting my foot stuck in a builder’s pipe in the
garden. I cannot have been much more than two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Fridays were my favorite days when I would
approach the kitchen door (in those days we never entered the house through the
front door) at lunchtime and thank God we were Catholics because Fridays meant
chips and fried eggs to meet the requirements of abstinence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I have vivid memories of my father sitting
in the back garden in his deck chair while my mother scurried round the garden
with a trowel. In those days mum could not abide being still for a single
moment. Now in her 94<sup>th</sup> year she spends much time dozing and feeling
no guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">My sister Margaret discovered copybooks in
the attic. I found my geography notes from 1969, my father’s notes from UCD
where he studied Social Science at night in 1957, Margaret’s nursing notes, and
notes from my time in the Legion of Christ in <st1:city w:st="on">Salamanca</st1:city>
and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city> in
1974/5/6 and a spiritual diary I had not read since I finished the last entry
in September 1976. Such was the emotional and spiritual carnage of leaving the
Legion of Christ it took me 37 years to have the courage to read what I wrote
then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The sun shone brightly as I locked up the
house. I smiled to myself, I was right! The estate agent had not believed me
when I said the garden was south facing and now the midday sun was blazing
through the window of the empty kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">My neighbors were genuine in their
affection for my mother who had spent 60 years in the house, firstly as a young
mother and wife, then as a young active widow, then as an aging bridge player
and finally as proud defiant independent old lady who stayed until health
called time on her Churchtown adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I reflected on the coincidences that life
throws up. Today, the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, is the birthday of my sister
Catherine/Kate who died six years ago and who would have been 55 today. She
arrived home with mum and dad to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Landscape</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> in late 1958 from
the orphanage to a house that became her happy home. Happy Birthday Kate. xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-30166853009105038652012-09-12T22:04:00.000+01:002012-09-12T22:42:18.796+01:00An 'Oatie' at last<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="206" data-width="245" height="206" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQo4lt4rQphcDvX4pMwDN0eWKXoFAnx7X5lLal9QEqa2qWpESEX" style="height: 206px; width: 245px;" width="245" /><br />
<br />
Tonight I received a call I had been half hoping for, half dreading, to tell me I had been accepted into the Quakers, or to give 'us' (notice the 'us 'now!) our correct title The Religious Society of Friends. My initial feeling is one of delight and peace, happiness and contentment. <br />
<br />
I am proud to be numbered in a Group that has a reputation for honesty and integrity, humility and welcome, simple living and pacifism, sobriety and good naturedness, hard work and concern for nature. I may even pick up some of these virtues myself en route.<br />
<br />
It is true that many people of other religions and none share these virtues. My admiration for the work of Catholic Orders grows by the day. Some of the most admirable people I have met are agnostics or atheists. But I feel at home in the Quaker world.<br />
<br />
There is no real need to become a Quaker or indeed any pressure either. The only two immediate advantages I can immediately think of, are that I can now sit on certain committees (please God, if there is a God), I won't be invited and I can be buried in a Quaker Graveyard and my current plan is for my ashes to end up in a jar in a Catholic cemetry overlooking the sea in Santiago del Teide in Tenerife.<br />
<br />
I suppose the real reason is to show commitment to a Group of wonderful people. 'Is ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine' - if my Irish does not fail me, 'we get through life with the help of others'.<br />
<br />
I am now going to descend from my freezing office in the attic where my knees have seized up and celebrate with a glass of tea and a cup of wine.<br />
<br />
The better half refers to Quakers as 'Oaties' and I guess she will be happy she now has an Oatie in the family.<br />
<br />
I am not sure what the dogs will make of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aVlKG_9_2gDrdGvxHaYCL8TQQlwqOpKAJUIhe5M0RBGJMuPadolF6iYT23vFfDT5LnTU5LPspiWkDZ_7CcsKRE31eWpYid1ymKuSBDn1LFg-9PP5-FFLJ1a3_R_u3_2QJvrGr_gqVfxQ/s1600/Cemetery+Santiago+del+Teide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aVlKG_9_2gDrdGvxHaYCL8TQQlwqOpKAJUIhe5M0RBGJMuPadolF6iYT23vFfDT5LnTU5LPspiWkDZ_7CcsKRE31eWpYid1ymKuSBDn1LFg-9PP5-FFLJ1a3_R_u3_2QJvrGr_gqVfxQ/s1600/Cemetery+Santiago+del+Teide.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-41751525698882426812012-09-10T14:31:00.000+01:002012-09-10T15:51:10.702+01:00Scribani Conference on Re-imgining imprisonment in EuropeAnd the old triangle<br />
Went jingle jangle<br />
All along the banks<br />
Of the Royal Canal<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCS0sMcA0qPh28mJiHQo2izgUvx_4VuaQNv7Bx3SFhYtaWBSu0jNv2xcPeyfKEcXmrzbvPoGo5TA4MZqTJUpYYJgjMN1OkgeM_s6ezPSXUUMRbAkzsc6Hv2XXZj7AO4mMKEAmEdQkoJ2v/s1600/Scribani+conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCS0sMcA0qPh28mJiHQo2izgUvx_4VuaQNv7Bx3SFhYtaWBSu0jNv2xcPeyfKEcXmrzbvPoGo5TA4MZqTJUpYYJgjMN1OkgeM_s6ezPSXUUMRbAkzsc6Hv2XXZj7AO4mMKEAmEdQkoJ2v/s1600/Scribani+conference.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-IE; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-IE; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Memories of the recent (September 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> to 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>) conference on Prisons in Trinity College Dublin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Conference was excellently conceived, organised and financed by the Jesuits through their local Faith and Justice centre in Dublin and through their international arm, The Escribani Movement (named after a seventeenth century Flemish Jesuit who was first head of the University of Antwerp). The Escribani Conferences are held every two years in different parts of Europe on issues of Faith and Justice. Trinity was a perfect location for the conference which ran smoothly. The National Gallery of Ireland hosted a reception on the first night with a private showing of the painting ‘The Betrayal of Jesus’ by Caravaggio, which had been donated by the Jesuits (having hung anonymously on their refectory wall for over fifty years).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were approx. 250 people attending the conference drawn mainly from academic and social services backgrounds, as well as prison staff and Governors. Quaker Friends were well represented. I met H H who seemed to know everyone and who proceeded to introduce me to everyone. It was she who suggested I make a report to Monkstown Meeting even though I attended the Conference in purely a personal capacity albeit encouraged by the interest Friends have traditionally shown for prisoners down the ages. I was impressed by the opening address given by Juliet Lyon CBE, Director Prison Reform Trust UK and who is of Quaker background.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fr. Peter McVerry SJ (well known in Dublin for his excellent work spanning forty years with homeless youths) spoke on the opening night with characteristic compassion, passion and wisdom. He spoke of the sad side of prison. Nearly all of the young male prison population have been victims of crime long before they became criminals. He painted a dismal picture of young men entering often clean and coming out drug addicts. Entering alone yet exiting members of gangs and condemned t o a life of continuing crime. It did not make for easy listening to but set one of the tones of the conference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the course of the following two days I attended as much as I could, subject to some family and Quaker commitments, and took notes when not suffering from too little or in most cases too much caffeine from the numerous coffee breaks. Here are some of my recollections:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some statistics: The Irish prison population has increased from 65 prisoners per 100,000 population in 1997 to currently 100 per 100,000, roughly the EU average, compared with UK 150 (bronze medal), Russia 400 (Silver Medal) and US 550 (Gold Medal). Even in three years 2009-2012, the Irish prison population has increased from 3,500 to 4,500. Finland over the same period has seen its number drop from over 100 to currently 63 per 100,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lies, damned lies... Crime has been rising in all developed countries irrespective of increased prison population. The conclusion is that for most criminals prison is not a realistic deterrent nor is it rehabilitative. Prison has become a way of dealing with the underclass particularly in USA and UK rather than the underlying issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prison involves an underlying paradox. How to avoid crime? Stable employment, stable family ties and relationship, sense of worth. Prison uniquely deprives prisoners of all three.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prison was imagined by well-wishing Christian 150 years ago as an improvement over what was there or not there. Christians now have to reimagine new solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once a criminal. Always a criminal. Need it be so? The criminal is taught in no uncertain manner he is a criminal (mostly ‘he’ as 85% of prisoners are males and mostly 18 – 30) – from the trial to sentencing, to prison, to return to society. There should be an effort to rehabilitate people. In France the prisoner is given a certificate. It could be imagined as a rebaptism – a washing clean, a ceremony in public acknowledging the person has served their time and repaid their debt to society. Do Friends have a role here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Big is bad. We know that generally holds for almost every everything. It certainly applies to prisons. Big prisons are more impersonal and give rise to bigger security risks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Local is good. Nearly all the experts agree that having prisoners near home and family is a good thing for prisoners and improves their chances of not reoffending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Private or public? There are arguments for both. However the real problem is that prisons have become an industry and ‘market speak’ has become commonplace. It suits the market that there are more people in prison serving longer sentences. Think of the prisons as hotels and you get the idea – higher occupancy and longer stay give rise to higher profits. The good of society or the prisoners does not fit into the equation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a refreshing improvement in the UK they encouraged police to be judged not on the many young people they managed to get into prison but on the many they kept out. Clearly politics has a lot to do with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Society is to blame. In a sense, as readers we get the papers we buy and as voters the politicians we elect – and so in a sense we get the prisons we deserve. Society needs to change if prisons are to change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do people want protection or punishment? Glib media coverage might suggest punishment while more in depth studies show that the public want protection. Be careful of what surveys tell you. Who is funding and directing studies and what financial interest do they have in the outcomes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Judiciary. On one hand they have a hard job. They can only implement the laws that exist. That said they do have a fair amount of discretion. They are not helped by a sensationalist press that is right wing and plays on public fears. On the other hand the judiciary are often seen as living in their own little world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nearly all of the experts world-wide agree that prisons in general are not working and the problem is getting worse. Solution? We need to reimagine prisons. It is not a matter of tinkering at the edges but reforming from the centre. Have we the social and political courage?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Restorative justice. This theme close to Quaker hearts got mention on the third day. We met some excellent volunteers from U Casadh ( as in U-turn) and Treo based down the country. They help with prisoners especially on release which is a time of huge challenges for the prisoner. Many prisoners leave prison with the clothes uncleaned since they <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>entered, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with only <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the price of a bus fare into the centre of a city which may not be theirs, often homeless, often suffering from mental health issues and often exposed to the only life available – a life of continued crime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A memorable quote ‘ the only social service in Ireland for which there is no waiting list is the Irish prison system’….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where next? I met a charismatic retired couple – I and D who run activities in prisons including a book club and I gave them my details. Let’s see what develops. I will keep an eye on the excellent charities of U Casadh and Treo also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-38768073644971574472012-08-22T21:26:00.002+01:002012-08-22T21:26:31.159+01:00Dear Mother Earth, Dear me.What right have we<br />To screw the world?<br />And leave it waste<br />For other beings<br />Those yet to come<br />And those aborted<br />By our blind and senseless<br />Cruelty.<br />
<br />
Come nurture, harbor<br />And restore<br />Create, enhance, enrapture,<br />And safeguard.<br />
<br />Living less that others<br />Get the chance<br />To live at all.<br />
Wasting less and leaving more<br />Why not toil to keep this world ?<br />
<br />One of millions<br />Yet the only one<br />That's home and core<br />To man and God<br />As best we know.<br />
<br />
It's worth the candle<br />Let's trim the wick<br />Light up the world<br />For slow and quick.<br />
<br />
We do not own<br />We simply borrow<br />A day, a breath<br />A house, a home.<br />Children come<br />And parents go.<br />
<br />
The grave or cask<br />Our resting place<br />No rent or rates<br />Water charges or council tax<br />No views to sea<br />No noisy neighbors<br />Just the quiet chill<br />Of serenity<br />In the cypress bound<br />Local cemetery.<br />
<br />
We work and toil.<br />We bake and boil<br />No word with love<br />Ever lost or stolenPadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-60297061361779340232012-08-22T21:20:00.004+01:002012-08-22T21:20:45.251+01:00Spring in PowerscourtI spent the lovely April day<br />Examining a cloud from May<br />It danced and glided cross the sky<br />It left and didn't say goodbye.<br />
<br />
That's the thing with clouds I heard<br />They take their leave without a word<br />But just as quietly they wander in<br />And frame the blue with smile and grin.<br />
<br />
I know there's times they're cold and blowy<br />The winter clouds are white and snowy<br />But April clouds are a different lot<br />Reminding us of all we've got<br />
<br />
The busy birdsong hymns the meadow<br />Above green fields and beyond the hedgerow<br />Foals and horses silky haired<br />Happily chomp the springtime fare.<br />
<br />
Good to be alive and good to see<br />The annual miracle for you and me<br />Despite the crisis and the woe<br />Nature bursts forth like times beforePadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-18517978460356264652012-08-22T21:06:00.001+01:002012-08-22T21:06:15.453+01:00Flying outThe sleepy fliers<br />Gently snore<br />Six miles above<br />The ocean floor.<br />
<br />
The harried crew<br />Smile and toil<br />Up the aisles<br />Of this metal coil.<br />
<br />
The lady's had<br />too much to drink<br />She's downing gins<br />As down a sink.<br />
<br />
The guilty couple<br />Holding hands<br />They're Cheating twice<br />As love demands.<br />
<br />
The rocks and cliffs<br />Way Down below<br />The soft white surf<br />Does brightly glow.<br />
<br />
Today I journey<br />All alone<br />Above the clouds<br />So far from home.<br />
<br />
What awaits<br />I do not know<br />This is my life<br />But not my show.<br />
<br />
It's good to travel<br />For the soul<br />To find oneself<br />Becoming whole<br />
<br />
AgainPadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-30229086645774008182012-08-22T21:01:00.001+01:002012-08-22T21:01:12.208+01:00Bow wowLittle puppy, you're so happy<br />Waggy tail, so fun and bouncy<br />Loyal, cheerful and excusing<br />Curious, playful and amusing.<br />
<br />
Innocent eyes and busy teeth<br />Tear away at pillow and sheet.<br />Nothing's sacred, nothing's safe<br />Happy at play and happy to meet.<br />
<br />
The world seems young and fun again<br />The tv news drones on and on<br />Not a care in the world<br />You're my special girl.Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-86726381738146638712012-08-22T20:49:00.000+01:002012-08-22T20:49:39.213+01:00Tenerife sunsetI watch the waves<br />As in a haze<br />Enjoy the spray<br />At end of day.<br />
Soak up the surf<br />Enjoy the surge<br />A healing balm<br />A mental purge.<br />
The swell comes roaring<br />Only to retreat<br />And ebb with flow<br />Where the white waters meet.<br />
<br />And so our lives both ebb and flow<br />Scaling heights then file below<br />The sea of life will throw us a line<br />If not at once, then in it's own timePadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-25695378942242790272012-08-22T20:43:00.000+01:002012-08-22T20:43:56.217+01:00Close to heaven
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thoughts on an airplane flight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The farmer in heaven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has ploughed the white fields<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of fluffy clouds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bobbly clouds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Straight in serried furrows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Porous cover the sea and land<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lying down below, below<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so this miracle of man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And science, unbelievably<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Races just below heaven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And far above earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The early flight now takes it's toll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And fellow travellers doze and curl<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Foetal balls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Both pretty girls with hair in buns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And eyes made heavy with lashes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And golden bodies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the Canarian sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And strong limbed youths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With new tattoos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lie half asleep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like helpless babes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The safest way to travel, we learn,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hung half way between earth and sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Improbably,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overworked and underpaid for what they do<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At times annoying but mostly patient crew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go up and down the tiny aisle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And cramped as crabs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Caught in summer buckets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They toil to and fro<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Administer to high and low<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The youthful parents<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Struggle with the crying babies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The silver haired<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps forget that once they too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Were those couples<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who scrimped and saved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To carve a special fortnight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the sun, away from rain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Escape awhile from sapping news<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That keeps repeating on the loop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The news that never ends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rarely lifts our exhausted senses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And on and on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The white fields run<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Above the earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Below the sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like heavy snow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Untouched by man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No footprints on the arctic scape<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That runs for miles and miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From here to infinity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From now to eternity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-22150554583624378682012-08-22T20:25:00.000+01:002012-08-22T20:25:03.049+01:00<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leadership and other thoughts, August 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He had the gift<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We felt the lift<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Smiling as you met<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laughing as we left<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time for only you alone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For in that moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You were the only one<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was simply you and him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How was it that you felt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did resistance melt?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It may have been a spell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one could really tell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But no one cared<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And no one spared<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their joyful giving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the cause was living<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tired but happy fools perhaps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ecstasy and agony<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mattered not a bit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Content to serve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A cause bigger than ourselves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carpe Diem!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seize the day, squeeze it dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drink the sun while it’s high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Smell the beans, enjoy the taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grasp the moment, none to waste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Embrace the person, next to you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Give one last hug, it might be true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can save your money, but not your time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I may be poor but the ‘now’ is mine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For money blinds and dulls the sight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking the wrong way with all it's might<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've got today, that's all maybe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve got you, that’s enough for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joyce’s regret<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The startling clouds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All black and gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sit on the Dublin Hills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They threaten and give joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What holds him back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From seeing Dublin Bay again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Written in his heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Strangled by strange pride<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The passing years build up the wall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And lower the rampart floor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A virtue is fashioned needlessly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quietly at night the familiar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of sea gull and of cormorant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gone forever the three steeples<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of Glasthule and Dun Laoghaire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The handsome granite piers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hewn from Dalkey quarry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And all the while the clouds bank up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Layer by layer over Sandymount Strand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gone and gone is Dun Leary of the soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A bitter price for artistic pride<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The August evening sun peeps above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And hugs the gentle waters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Licking handsome terraced houses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keeping watch over a changing sea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ireland of his youth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dublin of his dreams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now but the artists palette<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a coast less land<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early hint of autumn in Churchtown, Dublin 14<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sitting here in the shade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of the spreading tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In leafy Castle Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Car door and windows open<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A gentle breeze<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rustles the leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beneath the pale blue china sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A warming sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Full of August promise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first few leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of the early Irish autumn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scurry along the pavement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like playful schoolboys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hurrying nowhere in particular<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With carefree insouciance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And joyful innocence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This magic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only came to be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through a haircut<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For an aging lady<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of almost ninety three<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Confused of days and hours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bravely facing loss of powers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The common fate of missing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The early death of friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The nether coin side<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of the doubtful blessing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of advanced old age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is how we live<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The path to how we age?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And do we die<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To live again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In that same style<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With little parts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That echo God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever that may mean<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A pigeon calls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Castle Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In trees above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The handsome homes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And gleaming cars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A man with silver hair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleans clubs with care<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And sounds of grass being cut<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are punctured by the Angelus bell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Churchtown church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Midday sounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is sleepy sunny peace around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While hair is cut<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And ladies prolong their style<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-59158542521930242812012-03-29T09:35:00.000+01:002012-03-29T09:36:30.570+01:00The Lord's Prayer - Pater NosterThe Lord’s Prayer – Pater Noster - One<br /><br />Our father who art in heaven, <br />And above and below<br />And within and without<br />Father, brother, mother, sister<br />Always was and always is<br /><br />Hallowed be thy name<br />Thank you for the miracle of being<br />Thank you for the cup half filled<br />Enjoying that what is<br />Not mourning that what might have been<br />Or never was<br />We lift our cups half full<br />In grateful wonder<br />To celebrate life<br />In humble awe of<br />What is<br /><br />Thy kingdom come<br />Heralded by many through the ages <br />And to this day<br />With many Princes<br />Chief of whom<br />Is Jesus Christ<br />The anointed one<br />Who leads the way to you<br />Along the lowly joyful paths<br />And through the narrow door<br />Where all are welcome<br />By you God who are shepherd to every flock<br />Who welcome all<br />For all are called<br />And most are chosenPadraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-86269028789097739962012-02-23T12:06:00.004+00:002012-02-23T12:46:38.503+00:00Marie Colvin Remembered<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVyTtWyBpaP8fzMvQ6h_WbLjWmp0EVYnxNkHm_7je2kArkQUrSWa4KRHUoqwFN2Y8PQILGZLFqH85Td5G8-RT30_9tjicMmlyjZy9aA4N4wKDL0dNk7uZelgyDzZnisJQpTS18gWpJeJx/s1600/December+2012+099.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVyTtWyBpaP8fzMvQ6h_WbLjWmp0EVYnxNkHm_7je2kArkQUrSWa4KRHUoqwFN2Y8PQILGZLFqH85Td5G8-RT30_9tjicMmlyjZy9aA4N4wKDL0dNk7uZelgyDzZnisJQpTS18gWpJeJx/s320/December+2012+099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712310678521688594" /></a><br /><br />Parish Church, Louisburg, County Mayo, December 2011. On tour with Claire.<br /><br /><br />Speaking Truth to Power – Marie Colvin remembered<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Marie Colvin’s life will not have been in vain if we can do something to save the people of Homs in Syria who, while we drink our cappuccino or walk our dog, are being slaughtered on our watch.<br /><br />We thought that after the Holocaust mankind would have learned to turn away from inhumanity. We felt comfortable that the terrible murder of millions of Jews, Gypsies and Mentally ill was safely preserved in a time capsule ; it was when the world went mad, in another time, in another place by another people.<br /><br />As we get older, many of us feel we get wiser, which is simply perhaps recognition of our youthful excesses. Many of us get less courageous as we advance in years and hold onto to the dwindling days of our lives more tightly than we did in our twenties. We can feel less secure and surround ourselves with familiar places and possessions.<br /><br />Marie clearly was an exception. She could have retired ten years ago and made a good living from her memories while drinking Gin and Tonics on a Caribbean beach. But she felt driven to expose injustice where and when she found it. She simply could not bring herself to retire in good conscience.<br /><br />I often fear that our big institutions for good works, the Churches, the United Nations, Amnesty International, become ossified over time and calcified with bureaucracy. The courage and vision of the founders is inherited by people with mortgages to pay and families to rear. People like you and me.<br /><br />Speaking truth to power was first used by Quakers in the States in the early twentieth century when they encouraged their Government to stand up to seemingly irresistible forces of Communism on one side and Fascism on the other. The phrase is often incorrectly attributed to George Fox, founder of the Quakers. It may not have been something he actually said, but it is something he actually did with his life and suffered in prison many times for it.<br /><br />Prophets it seems can often be difficult people to know and love. However Marie seems to have been the exception. There is genuine mourning among her journalistic colleagues. She has held up a mirror to their better selves and has shown that grubby phone hacking scandals do not completely define them. If proof were needed she confirmed that the fair sex is not the weaker sex, as we married men know all too well.<br /><br />Marie’s mum spoke with grief and poise and dignity. Above all let us not forget why Marie died and let’s write a letter to someone somewhere arguing for change, for peace, for the carnage to stop before the night falls. She must not die in vain, and that is up to us.<br /><br />She has done her bit.<br /><br />May she rest in Peace!<br /><br />On reflection, I am sure she does.<br /><br />PS I have decided the lucky recipients of my letter will be the Russian and Chinese Ambassadors to Ireland.<br />PPS Read Jim Muir’s lovely piece – his last letter to Marie on the BBC<br /><blockquote></blockquote>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-12898623895667054452012-01-26T10:19:00.003+00:002012-01-26T10:38:17.766+00:00Youth Unemployment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xomfVbHZq6DqVhWpvcAtjpDcN3NqZ0AHlwcQjIJsL5IN7gVXQ2524hsGFPkXs9Jhl0LLmF6bBhT2tn_AlNNK_jzZuzoP0zeouj0X0FVhVaQJXITQbKEq5upMmncWORScxSbCo-3ohI5T/s1600/December+2012+031.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701885677978337410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xomfVbHZq6DqVhWpvcAtjpDcN3NqZ0AHlwcQjIJsL5IN7gVXQ2524hsGFPkXs9Jhl0LLmF6bBhT2tn_AlNNK_jzZuzoP0zeouj0X0FVhVaQJXITQbKEq5upMmncWORScxSbCo-3ohI5T/s320/December+2012+031.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This may be the biggest problem facing mankind for the foreseeable future, together with the linked problems of climate change, food production and depletion of resources.<br /><br />Traditionally we solved the problems of over population by waging wars or were helped by nature with pestilence and famine. Fortunately, no doubt, these remedies are no longer to hand – for present at least – and we are tasked with finding more human solutions.<br /><br />It goes without saying that population containment is one candle to light in the dark. It is a problem we clearly cannot land at the feet of the gay community. Religion in all it guises needs to realize that the extinction of man which traditionally was threatened by lack of fertility is now threatened by its oversupply. We may have to set aside decades of teaching on family planning which was often morally dubious and now is patently impractical. Responsible parenting may imply just that.<br /><br />But humanly, socially and psychologically the most destabilizing phenomenon is that of youth unemployment. The reality is that it here to stay and will only get worse if present moral and mental approaches apply. Why?<br /><br />Well, for the last fifty years we have boasted on how we have invented, manufactured and deployed labor saving devices. Corporate earnings improve on the back of ‘downsizing’.<br /><br />Tractors have taken over from laborers, computers have taken over from bookkeepers, and automation in industry has taken over from assembly line workers. We have dishing washers, tumble dryers, forklifts, central distribution points. And we wonder where all the jobs have gone? Are we blind?<br /><br />I am not suggesting for a moment that we go back to tilling the fields with horses and ploughs, although the Amish have some interesting points to make. But if we want to know where all the workers have gone, look no further than your kitchen.<br /><br />Added to that is the equally important question of who is getting rich? Is it the farmers? Clearly not; for the past fifty years we, as a society, have driven them from the fields -from the dustbowls of the Midwest to the paddy fields of the Mekong Delta. We complain we are ‘subsidizing farmers’ when in fact they have been subsidizing us. How have we rewarded people who work 365 days a year? Not quite as well as hedge fund managers. The financial global industry is grotesquely big in proportion to the services it offers mankind.<br /><br />Until we decide to reward farmers, factory workers and small business people we will live in an upside down society.<br /><br />But this means making choices we have not to date been willing to accept. Why should we spend so much money on our iPhone and so little on our turnips?<br /><br />For the past 100 years work has been measured exclusively in monetary terms. The concept of service has been lost in the past thirty years particularly. Communism hasn’t worked and never will; inevitably it resulted in the enrichment of the very few at the expense of the many even in a more brutal way than capitalism which at least was reasonably transparent. Naked capitalism which was always ethically dodgy has been shown in recent years to be economically illiterate.<br /><br />So where from here?<br /><br />Here are a few thoughts<br /><br />1. Start paying the right people for the real value of their produce – farmers and others for example<br />2. Shrink and refocus the financial services industry, which instead of serving mankind increasingly has been starving mankind. Close down investment banks and increase high street and local banks<br />3. Make community jobs have real value with career paths<br />4. Push back the industrial revolution – sanctify manual labour<br />5. Rethink responsible parenthood to reflect the 7 billion others<br />6. Focus on community based initiatives<br />7. Roll back globalization and the exposed world it creates<br />8. Encourage more social and economic resilience – more smaller local companies and less bigger behemoths<br />9. Work towards a global free market area with free movement of goods and people globally<br />10. No more glorifying ‘downsizing’<br />11. Reappraisal of the function and ethics of work and its relation to society and self-worth.<br />12. It is up to us. Once they told us that we had to obey kings and bishops and lords – we saw through that – after some time. Now they are telling us we have obey fund managers the market makers – I wonder when we will realize it is our world – not theirs – only when we leave behind their mindset, I suppose.</div>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-60911658133880541872011-06-15T19:11:00.001+01:002011-06-15T19:17:38.792+01:00nO2 - No to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7idz6WAQzkfwUmERNp90dOA78fPtj848z5B9hAvNCSxvH-sLktGusnTIYxQv3ghTFnihbY6gfVcWOd6MIgtogG04erWglR6Kb_bPzr4sPUBpZQxUBAHQsTpsvb26brRmaOpLIcC-VB5O8/s1600/2011_0528Kate0074.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618512162326125826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7idz6WAQzkfwUmERNp90dOA78fPtj848z5B9hAvNCSxvH-sLktGusnTIYxQv3ghTFnihbY6gfVcWOd6MIgtogG04erWglR6Kb_bPzr4sPUBpZQxUBAHQsTpsvb26brRmaOpLIcC-VB5O8/s320/2011_0528Kate0074.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>nO2 – No to<br /><br />More bills<br />More hassle<br />More technology<br /><br />Are you of an age where you do not understand your mobile phone bill?<br />Are you someone who worries when you are offered ‘upgrades’ by your mobile phone provider?<br />Are you a phone junkie who spends more money on your various phone and media bills than you spend on food?<br />Are you one of those idiots who haven’t a clue what phone plan you have signed up to?<br />Then this Post may appeal to you!<br /><br />Welcome to the fold!<br /><br />I have decided to say ‘No’ to<br />- any further upgrades<br />- any new phones<br />- any offer of tickets to gigs, concerts, music, basically no to anything<br />- any offer of meals, drinks, pubs, cafes or restaurants<br /><br />I am of a generation which simply does not believe in the concept of a free lunch.<br />I also am of a generation that simply wants a phone to be a phone<br />It doesn’t have to<br />- make coffee<br />- take photos<br />- make videos<br />- link me to Facebook or any other book<br /><br /><br />Together let’s start a new revolution<br />- Reclaim our lives -get our mobile phones and lock them away for two days every week and twelve hours a day on the other 5<br />- Take 30 minutes before you reply to a text, any text, every text. If your caller is dying, you will have saved the cost of a text. Develop discipline and will power. Be your own man (or woman).<br />- Enter rehab if necessary to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.<br />- Donate what money you can to victims of Twitter who have abandoned their own lives and forsaken their sanity for the sake of others<br />- Campaign for global write down of phone bill debts owed by idiots who accepted ’free upgrades’<br />- Donate the money you save by not going to those concerts you really didn’t want to attend to good causes in the Third World<br /><br />Remember<br />- It’s good to talk, but there are times when its even better to stay silent<br />- The conversations we don’t have are often more important than the ones we do<br />- Let’s give more time to the people around us, family, friends or work colleagues, let’s not cop out in the virtual world<br />- Let’s bring down the gears of life and enjoy the lower gears a bit more.<br />Excuse me now my mobile is ringing</div>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-31557755573038840642011-06-15T11:25:00.003+01:002011-06-15T11:33:07.688+01:00Goodbye Garret the Good<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzbY6oQp-9zJQO4er4dYpw-GNPLJwVlSkiH9Mo8rbZoKGlTwxh0P61Gw9LD6rYo16L2Nfq5FgiWrQsBcztytg4sojyIDx2zrYygmcSdIA-OVO-vTj-ewyCWbd8Dy_-hwE6NoAJkmC-4F_/s1600/2011_0528Kate0008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618392110841668738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzbY6oQp-9zJQO4er4dYpw-GNPLJwVlSkiH9Mo8rbZoKGlTwxh0P61Gw9LD6rYo16L2Nfq5FgiWrQsBcztytg4sojyIDx2zrYygmcSdIA-OVO-vTj-ewyCWbd8Dy_-hwE6NoAJkmC-4F_/s320/2011_0528Kate0008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br />I only met Garret FitzGerald once. And sadly it was only briefly. It was over breakfast at a weekend seminar organised by his son Mark for Sherry FitzGerald staff and friends.<br />At early breakfast Garret was looking good and many years younger than his 82 at the time. Many, myself included, were the worse for wear due to ‘socializing’ into the early hours. As a result over breakfast we were looking many years older than our birth certs might suggest.<br /><br />It was the classic ‘quiet’ business breakfast that follows the noisy night before. Our husbands, wives and partners who should have been a civilizing influence had clearly failed and so small talk was of the hushed variety as conference delegates struggled to remember their own name, never mind the names of colleagues who had come from the far flung corners of Ireland and beyond.<br /><br />It was in this context that I mumbled a ‘Good Morning’ to Garret who by this time, no doubt, had read both the Irish Times and the Financial Times. I often regretted that I missed the opportunity to engage in something more meaningful.<br /><br />I could have mentioned how I was a member of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland at the time of which he was Chairman for many years. But having never actually travelled on one of the steam engines that conversation might have disappeared down a cul de sac, or into a siding to use the technical term.<br /><br />The truth is that I could have spoken to Garret on a wide range of subjects because he was uniquely Ireland’s Renaissance man with a passionate interest in a wide spectrum of interests, political, social, economic and financial. Garret was Ireland’s answer to Stephen Fry, and much much more. He was an elder Statesman in the mould of Paddy Ashdown or Neil Kinnock but without the slightly tribal chains that occasionally shackle them. You could be an ardent member of Fianna Fail and say you liked Garret and remain in the party. Because in truth Garret transcended party politics, indeed he transcended politics in its narrowest definition and was a Statesman in the true sense.<br /><br />I had the good fortune to work as a consultant to his son’s company Sherry FitzGerald for two years. It was and is a remarkable company in terms of the humanity and egalitarian roots that shine through in many areas. It is hard to believe that it was a mere coincidence that the company co founded by Garret’s son Mark demonstrates so many of his own characteristics.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our country has lost a great leader. Our people have lost an intellectual and moral touchstone. His family has lost a wonderful father and grandfather. I have lost the chance to enquire about the punctuality of steam trains in the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.<br /><br />I fully believe that he is resting at God’s side – ar dheis De – and while he may not need our prayers he will certainly receive our fondest thoughts for many many years to come.</div>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-76728149982164529992011-06-10T19:06:00.004+01:002011-06-10T19:38:50.413+01:00Time up for Brave Brian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH-kbXH4PZVUcAyVxFJkHJtaGIVxWdlJnk1TwfervKq5tcu3kJYXZP7a7FIypvKA-eFTTxJHrryalqA-lzM8WUCO0y-4ASXS-FV3tLyww91XEF8Gj3_NiJIwLdOxHLyequGdfXxrYLn1A/s1600/2011_0528Kate0256.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616655614016389138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH-kbXH4PZVUcAyVxFJkHJtaGIVxWdlJnk1TwfervKq5tcu3kJYXZP7a7FIypvKA-eFTTxJHrryalqA-lzM8WUCO0y-4ASXS-FV3tLyww91XEF8Gj3_NiJIwLdOxHLyequGdfXxrYLn1A/s320/2011_0528Kate0256.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Shadows on the clositer wall of Santa Maria, Los Arcos, Navarra, Spain, May 14th, 2011</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Time up for brave Brian<br /><br />I only once met Brian Lenihan and when I did, I bought him a pint.<br /><br />We were celebrating our monthly Class of '69 reunion as usual in Reilly’s Bar at the junction of Merrion Row and Merrion Street. It was about 10.00pm on a dark winter night when Brian and an advisor wandered in off the street and ordered a quiet pint. He looked spent after another long day in the office. One long day seemed to follow another in the gloomy winter of 2009 when Ireland’s economic bark began to ship water and even ladies travelling in first class with berths with balconies found the foamy sea swirling round their elegant high heels. Two of us approached the barman and asked if a round of drinks might be quietly and unobtrusively sent to Brian’s table.<br /><br />Brian must have got many pints over the years from the party faithful. But we were not the party faithful. Just two ordinary citizens moved by the weary look of another human being who was punching in inhuman hours. I cannot remember if the news of his illness had become public knowledge at that time, but the bad news was well known in Dublin circles long ahead of the public announcement. Before he left, Brian enquired of the barman who had sent over the pints and the barmen pointed to the ex pupils of De La Salle Churchtown. Brian may have even spent a moment wondering if there was a Fianna Fail cumann in De La Salle Churchtown but he gave us a polite and discreet wave as he left after his second pint.<br /><br />We then ploughed into our fourth pints as a vigorous debate took place as to whether the offer of drink was a political inducement or indeed even ethically acceptable. Some months later we were to meet Enda Kenny, then Leader of the Opposition in the very same pub. Enda proceeded to tell us a long and not very funny joke but to a man we were impressed by his 'down to earthness', if such a word exists and his politeness. Unfortunately I was walking the Camino de Santiago two weeks ago and out of the country so I missed the opportunity to buy HRH Queen Elizabeth a glass of sherry or even a pint of the black stuff Barack O’Bama.<br /><br />During his many long months of political torture I identified with Brian more than most because he was dealing with a problem that was mainly of a Banking nature. Having worked in the industry for over twenty years I know what it is like to try and catch falling knives. That is exactly what Brian had to do on our behalf.<br /><br />I am not sure if anyone could have done a better deal with the IMF and the EU but I am sure of one thing, no one could have done it with more dignity in adversity than he. Bankers quite rightly do not deserve much sympathy these days – unless they work in the local branches – in which case they are heroes – but in common with diplomats there are often times when discretion is called for and confidentiality lies at the heart of both arts.<br /><br />People wrongly criticize Brian for not telling us in advance that the IMF was coming to town. The simple answer is that he could not have done so; indeed if he did he would have done great damage. I am delighted with the progress the new government has made and wish them well. It is instructive to note that they have adopted about 99% of what the previous government had suggested and realised about 1% of their election promises – but they are right on both counts and politics is a terrible game because we citizens are, by and large, feckless and we mostly deserve what we get in democracies.<br /><br />Brian was a patriot in the true sense. He was a martyr and his name should be mentioned in the company of Pearse and Collins, Wolfe Tone and James Larkin. The work he did for Ireland almost certainly shortened his life and robbed his wife and family of a dear husband and a fine father. At a time when the currency of politicians is low, Brian has showed us that it is indeed possible to live and to die for your country.<br /><br />May his gentle soul lie in peace. He owes me a pint in the next life.<br /><br />Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis</div>Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514401510502153119.post-25006893387981842542011-04-13T18:22:00.011+01:002011-06-10T19:39:41.725+01:00Rest in peace!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lhBglnE6t_jwGnupHPRW5nNid9EHxoWKP-VoXn3Jq0B-ydaUdHMl0bQNBDUcorrEpVzvGPvQPSBU1rrkgG3QvbxImGmG1UdpbZnpnjJXWRcM2OrSvk0_b7RCfuyFRoMItC3u14-oZlOq/s1600/Harte+Headstone+Deans+Grange.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595125409411272610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lhBglnE6t_jwGnupHPRW5nNid9EHxoWKP-VoXn3Jq0B-ydaUdHMl0bQNBDUcorrEpVzvGPvQPSBU1rrkgG3QvbxImGmG1UdpbZnpnjJXWRcM2OrSvk0_b7RCfuyFRoMItC3u14-oZlOq/s320/Harte+Headstone+Deans+Grange.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYPuKQGxiN0XDmDcL4nMtgWsczSG9bN065BZVDSZI1UeXwu5NfWINiTvG4jzcShEL9VGpT_5JuSH-ehKrqia51XAqo5aHaybFn_p5XrSV4qjFEmcDsBAlzijuFd2l9McoLGQFlZhphPc0/s1600/Murray+Headstone+Deans+Grange.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595120067893774610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYPuKQGxiN0XDmDcL4nMtgWsczSG9bN065BZVDSZI1UeXwu5NfWINiTvG4jzcShEL9VGpT_5JuSH-ehKrqia51XAqo5aHaybFn_p5XrSV4qjFEmcDsBAlzijuFd2l9McoLGQFlZhphPc0/s320/Murray+Headstone+Deans+Grange.bmp" /></a><br /><br />I have always been fascinated by the 'life after' and by cemeteries. Some of my earliest memories are of playing with my country cousins in an abandoned (or so it seemed) cemetery just outside Donegal town. We passed the cemetery every day on the path down to the harbour and so it seemed the most natural thing in the world to spend hours wandering around the plots, trying to find the oldest headstone, the youngest or oldest person buried, the biggest gap in date of death between a husband and wife. Children can cope with death better than adults. For children death is the most natural thing in the world.<br /><br />The cemetery had no defined walls that I can remember but it did have a ruined tower at one end. Aged approx six I decided I would climb to the very top of the crumbling ruin. My younger cousin ran home across the road and announced to all and sundry that I was now atop the tower. The fire brigade was called and a small crowd assembled at the base, joined by myself who in the meantime had climbed down to see what the fuss was all about.<br /><br />I think I would like to be buried in a 'nice' cemetery - one that overlooks the mountains or the sea. It's a bit late to convert to the Church of Ireland, I suppose; they seem to have the nicest and best kept cemeteries. How do they manage it?, I wonder.<br /><br />On the basis that we might be dead a long time it seems to make sense to be careful of where you are going to be buried. People spend a fortune to spend a mere twenty years in a castle and begrudge the thousand euro to buy the plot where they will spend the next twenty thousand years.<br /><br />I find cemeteries peaceful. I get the feeling that most of the people who lie there are at rest. They are mostly old people in their eighties for whom death is a welcome companion. Every now and then I see the headstone to a child of two or three and I cannot help wonder what kind of life would that young child have enjoyed? I envy the people who have their graves well tended even after thirty years. I feel sorry for the graves that have not been visited since the coffins were lowered. It seems the relatives disappeared off to the pub and the next day rushed off to probate, said 'thank you very much' and never looked back...<br /><br />To a great extent we cannot pick our neighbours in the cemetery. My father's grave in Deans Grange lies beside a young couple who died in a plane crash around the same time as him, in early 1980, leaving a young family. I often wonder how the children may have coped.<br /><br />I used to pray at gravesides - without much conviction if truth be told. Now I don't pray any more. I believe they are beyond prayer and in a sense they don't need it. They have passed back into the mystery of life and death. I feel very strongly they are not entirely gone, neither do I see us round a big banqueting table at the end of time. Every good thing we did is captured in eternity like the fossilised resin we discover millions of years later - the spirit has changed but is still there.<br /><br />I think it is nice to have somewhere to visit a lost loved one. I think cremation is fine as long as the ashes are placed somewhere accessible and durable - in the graveyard or elsewhere. I am not sure if I want to sprinkled out to sea, it just seems a little vague. The children will say 'dad is all over the place', so nothing much has changed. Neither do I want to be left on the top of the mantlepiece. One hears of unfortunate stories invovling overseas cleaning staff, fractious grandchildren and playful puppies and one feels a certain frisson. One would hope that the sense of dignity that has evaded me for most of my adult life would at least claim me in the next.<br /><br />My hope is that my ashes will lie in a casket, (cemented to the wall, just in case), in a picturesque cemetery that sits perched above the Atlantic in Northern Tenerife in a little village called el Tanque. I think it is important that we have a good view of things, even after we pass on. Standing at my father's grave today I was cheered to look across at the hills of Dalkey and Killiney. The hills were looking out over South County Dublin and Deans Grange cemetery and it looked back across china blue sky of a bright and blustry Spring afternoon. I think Kevin A Murray would have approved.<br /><br />Meanwhile round the corner my father in law Desmond Harte has a view of Howth Head that sits above the cemetery like a mountain in the distance.<br /><br />Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis!<br />May his sweet soul repose at the side of God!Padraic Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121615703620956858noreply@blogger.com0