IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER
William S. Earls of Athenry, Galway
and Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny
Poem 4 of 21
By the late Eileen Breen
March 27, 1916 - May 5, 2006
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You were our teller of tales
of distant lands
as we gathered around
your knees before bedtime
From your lips we heard
the call of the Mullah
crying ”Allah is Great
and Mohammed is his Prophet.”
With you we journeyed through the jungles
of the “White Man’s Grave” and saw
the wonders of Indian bazaars together
and many a sea we crossed
on perilous voyages.
You were the polisher of family shoes
on Saturday nights and as we were bathed
carried us pic-a-back to bed
in the days we believed in Santa Claus.
You were the one who saw us off to school
well fortified with hot porridge,
home-made bread and cocoa.
Who taught us rules
and was strick when we broke them
but who was always ready to forgive.
In the School of Life, you were our teacher
who instilled in us love of learning.
To honor God and our fellow man,
and to live by our family motto
MAGNA EST VERITAS - GREAT IS TRUTH
You were my Father and my hero!
Written by the late Eileen nee Earls Breen.
