Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page

Back in 1982, Johnny Cash electrified the audience in The Cork Opera House. His performance was second to none. The people of Cork had seen a great star at his best.

Behind the scenes it was a very different story. His personal escort, Bernard McCarthy recalls that before the show Johnny was in agony, suffering from severe Herpetiform Mouth ulcers. He had refused to take any painkillers or any form of medication.

Back stage as word got out that Johnny was stretched out in the dressing room there was talk of cancelling the show. When asked why he refused to take anything Johnny said "They came to see Johnny Cash and I'll give them Johnny Cash and not some doped up junkie".

So Johnny Cash went on stage in Cork and mesmerized his audience and as the cliché goes - the rest is history. Johnny Cash died September 12, 2003. David Martin Clarke sent us this poem.

Johnny's Grave

On his grave I cast my eyes
As I stood in the pouring rain,
My mind went wandering thru years
Thru songs of love and pain.

He sang for those in prison
For the lonely and depressed,
He praised the work of Jesus,
In humble Black he dressed.

He captured all our hearts
With his gravel voice so strong,
Told of things that happened
That were never right, but wrong.

I raised my eyes to Heaven
And looked at the evening sky,
And remembered how it all began
'Hey Porter and Cry! Cry! Cry!'

Five years ago he left this world
To a better place he's gone,
Where his Demons can't torment him,
Here; his spirit will live on.

I pray to God your happy, John
As I gaze up to the moon,
I hear you singing "Ring of Fire"
To your one true love - the lovely June.

© David Martin Clarke