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it was on Patrick’s day 2017
that I saw crossing the street
an old couple
he bent and bespectacled
she short and plump
two steps behind him
not a happy pair I thought
he seemed a shirty sort
at odds with the future
she looked resigned
to a life in the rear
yet being the Saint’s day
I thought it right and just
to recall they once were lovers
she much praised as petite
snuggling in the comforts
of endearing young charms
when he sang to her
with that tenor style he had
upright and confident
he headed towards a bright future
she happily two steps behind
did they march in
the St Patrick’s processions
of our youths I wondered
did they march two steps apart
or side by side towards freedom
but then again
they probably were proddies
Bill Hannan 