Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page

Every good poem has a life of its own, its peculiar atmosphere, flavor, emotional key. The appreciation of one poem does not help us much in the appreciation of others, except to foster a general taste for poetry and a desire for more. The only way to acquire a love of poetry is to read poems. Gerard Coughlan of Cork who has previously lightened our dull recessional days with a lovely thought inspiring and hopeful poems like 'Morning-coffee in Douglas' and the delightful 'Spring' sent us this week's poem which should tickle our brains and make us want to read it again.

I Knew a Man

I knew a man
Who was considered "daft"
In old age;
He wore bright orange shorts-
Even in Winter-
And whistled constantly
Like a throttle
In a cage.

Many who passed
Threw him a curious glance
But they failed to notice
How the blue of his eyes
Conveyed the merriment of dance
And his mind
Had perception
Which scorned pretence
And yearned for the gold
Of true intelligence.

He's gone from this world now
A number of years.

Only a lucky few
Recall him
And I am one of those
Because I have inherited
His tendency to whistle
And his unique take on clothes.

© Gerard Coughlan