I’ve never been as happy

I’ve never been as happy

As sitting in Dun Leary

Bathed in Spring sunshine 

Of an April afternoon. 

We have laid aside the terrors

Of the news of wars and mothers 

Mourning dead and wounded children

From bombs that drop like rain

On Tel Aviv and Lebanon 

On Kuwait and Teheran

By the order of the evil

And distant far off leaders. 

We sit here on the wooden bench

While life goes by with peals

Of laughter from the teenage kids

With all their lives ahead. 

I do not strive for extra years

Grateful for what has been given  

Enjoying now, uncaring what the future

May or may not hold. 

We have the present sunshine 

Enough for all our wants and needs

Nothing wished for, nothing wanted,

The cup is full, and spilling over. 

The civic clock strikes five 

And yet the sun still shines

Above the Italianate Town Hall

Of the maritime sea borough. 

Once the Prince of postponed pleasure

Sacrifice a code of honour

Now content to carpe diem

Seize the moment - live the day. 

8 April 2026