The Old School Photograph
(Liscreevaghan)
credit Hugh Mc Callion
I found an old school photograph,
From fifty years ago,
And dooned my spectacles to see
How many I would know.
Imagine what a thrill it was,
For me to realise,
That thirty out of forty-one
I still could recognise.
There was Pearl and Annie Russell,
And Brothers Joe and Bill,
Who travelled down from Clady Hood,
Which we called ‘Clady Hill’.
There was Dave and Freddie Canning,
With Aidan Farrell as well,
And also Pat McMonagle
And Sid and Albert Bell.
There was Angela McClintock,
And also sister Dot,
As well as sister Rhonda,
Whose name I near forgot.
There was Bridie, Nell and William,
From the family of McBride,
And pretty Maureen Kelly
And brother Frank besides.
Then all the way from Douglas Bridge
Came Frank and Noel Devine,
With older sister Kathleen
Who was a friend of mine.
Then, Johnnie Tracey, I recall,
Who came from Douglas too,
And also Ed McSorley,
Which leaves us just a few.
The Andersons were also there
Helen, Bertie and Kathleen,
And Mary Ellen Campbell
Who journey from Killeen.
Then Kath and Charlie Doherty
Makes the total twenty nine
Just to say there is another one?
The missing name is mine.
This poem was first published in Belated Balladeer: (1996) Ballads and poems for every occasion by Hugh McCallion.
Gemma Hill Writeyou Writeme 