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Denis Ahern has been associated with the Sail Loft since its first
year. Live renditions of his poems are a well received feature of Sail
Loft evenings. Usually the subjects covered are bawdy and raucous in
nature. This website feature provides a platform for some of his more
sensitive works – Stop laughing, you at the back!
For this first edition he offers a couple of contrasting pieces, both
written about twenty years ago.
Click here to go back
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Virgin Snow
- Magic morning, virgin white
- Snow that fell at dead of night
- Lies so smooth upon our street
- In one deep unbroken sheet,
- Pure and flawless, glistening bright,
- Perfect in the sun’s first light.
- Not a single footprint seen,
- Not a mark where man has been.
- But now a journey I must make
- And this faultless scene must break
- Though sorry I am to make a mark
- With a footprint dull and dark
- On this perfect virgin snow
- Duty calls and I must go.
- Striding out now from my door,
- First one footprint then a few more.
- Ah! Perfection now is gone.
- My few paces have undone
- The winter morning’s magic charm,
- Dealt this picture fatal harm.
- How easy for a mortal man
- To ruin that which he never can
- With all his skills and powers great
- In a life of trying recreate.
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Braggard
- There you stand with drink in hand
- Wallowing in your glory.
- Your ‘Hampsteads’ flash, the glasses clash
- While you tell your boastful story.
- You carry a rod and a bulging wad
- And you’re not afraid to show it.
- You’ve got a grand or two in hand
- And you let the whole pub know it.
- “Drinks for the house!” and every louse
- In the bar will have a double
- And they’ll listen well to the tales you tell
- Of villainy, thieving and trouble
- You tell the one of a wage snatch done
- From a van in downtown Ealing.
- You boast and brag of every blag
- You’re a crafty hand at stealing.
- And with all your stunts you’ve never once
- Been nicked nor even questioned.
- And if I say that crime don’t pay
- You’ll scoff at my suggestion.
- So you fooled Old Bill and always will?
- You’re evasive as Houdini?
- Well, stuff your luck,
- You’ve come unstuck.
- You’re talking to the Sweeney!
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