by Peg Prendeville

Peg is away this wek but she sent us the following poem

Summer Memories

Oh the memories come flooding back and my eyes fill up with tears

At the thoughts of those summer holidays with my cousins through the years.

Tea in bed on Sunday morning – Auntie Mary was so kind,

How I loved my days in Templeathea, they’re forever in my mind.

To replenish the spring water to the well we used to go,

With a bucket on each handlebar so we travelled nice and slow.

We picked blackberries by the gallon as we walked along the way,

Sure we made our own small fortune when we sold them in Athea.

Once a week we took a walk to the Graveyard and Holy Well

To say a prayer for all the souls whom we knew would never tell

Of all the laughs we used to have between the headstones playing hide,

Sure we often broke the silence there, bringing smiles to those who died.

Drawing home the wynds of hay brought the greatest of delight,

That we could scarcely sleep with excitement on that night,

At the thought of all the fun we had with that lovely horse and float

Our legs dangling at the back, as we sang our glad hearts out.

And in the very hot days to the river we would race,

Having begged poor Auntie Mary ‘til she gave in just for peace.

Our clothes off in a jiffy we took no notice of the cold,

As we paddled, splashed and kicked around. ‘Twas worth more than any gold.

In the evenings after milking to the ‘Bridge’ we went along

With a pint of milk for Breege and Jose, God rest them now – they’re gone.

And if there was a sudden downpour, then Uncle Peter hurried down

To make a dam outside their door for fear that they would drown.

In the evenings we gathered round the fire and looked forward to a stroll

From any of the neighbours who might have stories to be told.

They thrashed out the price of turf and hay and gave out about the weather.

We young children listened, eagerly, not caring which nor whether.

When too soon the night was over and it was time for bed,

After a slice of bread and tea the Rosary was said.

We all knelt down to say our prayers and thank God that life was good,

We looked forward to the day ahead and more fun to be had.

But now alas we have grown up and those times are in the past.

We’ve left behind those carefree days, we knew they couldn’t last.

I know that times are better now than when we lived hand to mouth,

But, I feel sorry for my children, as I think that they missed out.