Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page

Once again as the fourth of July approaches I am reminded of a poem in the book 'My Road' by Marion Rose Horgan, from Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. If you haven't already got a copy, email me and I let you know where you can order one. It's a book well worth having and a keepsake you will always treasure.

Billy McCarthy a founder member of the Douglas Writers Group in Cork , who's first book "Barnetstown to Ballinglanna", a selection of short stories and poems taken from his earliest experiences in life to the present day, rekindled many a fond thought and lost memory in every reader, is the author of this week's poem.

Billy is a great exponent of traditional style writing and some of his poems have been set to music. In this poem he takes us back to Cork in the sunny long ago when St. Patrick Street in Cork City was the most romantic place in Ireland.

"Doing Pana"

I remember my first date in Pana by appointment at quarter past seven,
When I stepped off the bus at The Statue it seemed like I'd landed in Heaven.
I slipped her a wink - she responded, with a smile and we strolled hand-in-hand,
Down the length of the street and believe me, I felt like a prince of the land.

Scarce a word between us was uttered; sure it wasn't a time for small talk
We just window-shopped along Pana, on this beautiful night for a walk.
When the length of the street we had covered, as we crossed to the opposite side
With my arm round her waist for protection as the street was so terribly wide.

We continued our promenade northward at a pace so romantically slow,
Sure this was the way we did Pana in those carefree days long ago.
Then a stop at The Old Bridge was standard, for a mug of tea and a bun.
And many a friendship was made here and many a romance begun.

Up one side and down by the other was the custom we knew at the time,
As our parents had done so before us, and for them just like us 'twas sublime.
We were hardly aware of the traffic, or others who passed by the way,
For we only had eyes for each other, and we kept thoughts of others at bay.

Then 'twas great as we passed the Lee corner and the fellas would stand and they'd stare,
I could see they were all green with envy, while me, sure I hadn't a care,
As I knew we were only repeating what others enacted before,
And I couldn't care less so I said to herself "let's go 'round and do Pana once more".

Yes, that was the custom in those days; entertainment being scarce at the time,
And a walk in the moonlight was heaven for us in the peak of our prime.
Though you'd see older folk promenading, her arm linked in his as they strolled,
And you'd think to yourself sure when all's said and done it's not really so bad being old.

Now time is a great educator, so enjoy what you're handed in life,
Yes, the girl that I met at The Statue became my adorable wife.
As we bring up four children together without any bother or fuss,
We hope that they'll follow tradition and continue doing Pana like us.

Well, we still like to stroll out together, around by The Lough is our beat,
And sometimes we'd do The Marina, such a colourful, peaceful retreat.
Then often she'd make a suggestion to visit another terrain,
And we'd take the bus into The Statue, and go back doing Pana again.

© Billy McCarthy